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Perth Now
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Bon Scott debate between Perth suburbs reaches high voltage
The flannel has been thrown down in the battle to be named the home of Bon Scott, in the debate that has hit Perth like TNT. City of Melville deputy mayor Karen Wheatland fired the first power chord last week when she convinced her council to look at how it could celebrate the legendary AC/DC's lead singer's roots with their district. But the mayor of the neighbouring City of Fremantle, Hannah Fitzhardinge, fired back with her own riff on the famous frontman's legacy, saying Fremantle is Scott's spiritual home. The two faced off in a not-so-serious encounter at Scott's final resting place this week. Ms Firzhardinge said although it was technically in the City of Melville, it is called Fremantle Cemetery. 'After moving here from Scotland as a child, Bon learned his craft by joining the Fremantle Scots Pipe Band, playing the drums. He attended North Fremantle Primary School and later John Curtin Senior High School (now John Curtin College of the Arts), both within the City of Fremantle,' she said. 'He even did a short stint in Fremantle Prison's assessment centre after a run in with the law. 'If Melville think they can claim Bon, they're going to get ''S hot Down in Flames'!' Melville Deputy Mayor Karen Wheatland and Freo Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge at Bon Scott Memorial Gates Fremantle Cemetery Andrew Ritchie Credit: Andrew Ritchie / The West Australian But Cr Wheatland believes Scott's story started within Melville's boundaries and the city is now looking for suitable locations for a permanent tribute, such as naming a landmark after him — which could include a 'Bon Scott Boulevard' — as part of its tourism plan. AC/DC and its management will also be invited to visit the City of Melville during its tour later this year. Cr Wheatland said while people may debate where Scott called home, there was no disputing that he was laid to rest in the City of Melville. 'We are not disputing he had a strong connection to Fremantle and sure they have a statue, but to say it's his spiritual home is a little over the top,' she said. 'After all Melville has the bulk of the Canning Highway — the actual 'Highway to Hell' from the anthem song made famous by the band. 'That song is testament to the connection Bon had with the City of Melville and it runs right through the heart of Melville, from the Leopold Hotel to the Raffles, icons of the local music scene. 'So we're not rewriting history — we're just reclaiming it.' She said it was also an opportunity to acknowledge Melville's role in WA's music scene. On a serious note, Ms Fitzhardinge said there was more than enough of Scott's legacy to go around. 'We understand that people in WA and from all around the world want to celebrate his life and connection to places and we support that,' she said. The two cities worked with Perth Festival and the Town of East Fremantle for the Highway to Hell event in March 2020, which turned 10km of Canning Highway from Canning Bridge to the Fremantle Traffic Bridge into the world's longest stage to mark the 40th anniversary of Scott's death.
West Australian
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- West Australian
City of Melville launches bid to claim AC/DC lead singer Bon Scott as its own in planned tribute
A Perth council is setting off down the highway to hell with plans to honour legendary AC/DC lead singer Bon Scott. Fremantle is considered by many to be the spiritual home of Scott, but its neighbour the City of Melville is planning its own tribute to him. The Melville council voted 7-2 in favour of a proposal from deputy mayor Karen Wheatland at its July 15 meeting that the city look for suitable locations for a permanent tribute to Scott, such as naming a landmark after him — such as 'Bon Scott Boulevard' — as part of its tourism plan. Local schools, artists, musicians and heritage groups will be invited to help. AC/DC and its management will also be invited to visit the City of Melville during its tour later this year. Melville's claim to Scott is that he spent part of his youth there and was laid to rest in 1980 at the Fremantle Cemetery in Palmyra, which is technically part of Melville — not Fremantle. Canning Highway was also the inspiration to the rock classic Highway to Hell, with the song alluding to the string of pubs littered along this stretch of road including the Raffles and Leopold hotels — also within the City of Melville boundaries. The song was brought to life in March 2020 with the Highway to Hell event, which turned 10km of Canning Highway from Canning Bridge to the Fremantle Traffic Bridge into the world's longest stage to mark the 40th anniversary of Scott's death. The City of Melville partnered with Perth Festival, the City of Fremantle and Town of East Fremantle to present the event. A bronze statue of Scott, created by artist Greg James, stands at the Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour. The singer attended North Fremantle Primary School and John Curtin Senior High School, learning to play the drums with the Fremantle Scots Pipe Band. Cr Wheatland said she wanted to honour Scott's connection to the City of Melville and put it on the map as the place where Scott's story 'truly began.' Her original motion said Scott lived in Palmyra but this was removed after doubts were raised about it. 'It doesn't matter whether he lived in Palmyra or Melville, but the thing is certain that the City of Melville has certainly been a part of his legacy,' she said. 'The last time AC/DC came to Perth, I went to his grave before the concert just to see if the band might go there to say hi, to pay their respects to Bon and have a Jack Daniels. And mate, it was packed. '(Fans) leave flowers, lyrics, guitar picks, hats, underwear. Some even make the pilgrimage as a form of a personal tribute. 'And yet, for all this interest, we've done very little as a city and a local government, apart from Highway to Hell, which was incredible, to embrace it or reflect that legacy back to our community. 'We're not claiming Bon Scott. We're acknowledging that his story ends in our care.' Cr Jennifer Spanbroek opposed the motion as there was already a tribute to Scott near the Canning Bridge and it would be stepping on the toes of the City of Fremantle. 'The reason we haven't done much is we all know that Fremantle do celebrate Bon Scott,' she said. 'There's nothing stopping the City of Melville contacting the City of Fremantle and to actually see if they can do anything to work with them in a collaborative manner when they (AC/DC) do come in December. 'I just think that it puts more more and more time and effort into the city officers and it's taking them away from a lot of other lot of other duties that they've already got.' Cr Scott Green said Scott's grave could rival that of Doors lead singer Jim Morrison's in Paris. 'Bon Scott is probably as big if not bigger than Jim Morrison,' he said. He also hoped to get AC/DC to perform on the back of a truck down Canning Highway.
Perth Now
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Battle of Perth suburbs to claim AC/DC lead singer as own
A Perth council is setting off down the highway to hell with plans to honour legendary AC/DC lead singer Bon Scott. Fremantle is considered by many to be the spiritual home of Scott, but its neighbour the City of Melville is planning its own tribute to him. The Melville council voted 7-2 in favour of a proposal from deputy mayor Karen Wheatland at its July 15 meeting that the city look for suitable locations for a permanent tribute to Scott, such as naming a landmark after him — such as 'Bon Scott Boulevard' — as part of its tourism plan. Local schools, artists, musicians and heritage groups will be invited to help. AC/DC and its management will also be invited to visit the City of Melville during its tour later this year. The band, pictired with late vocalist Bon Scott (second from left). Getty Credit: View Melville's claim to Scott is that he spent part of his youth there and was laid to rest in 1980 at the Fremantle Cemetery in Palmyra, which is technically part of Melville — not Fremantle. Canning Highway was also the inspiration to the rock classic Highway to Hell, with the song alluding to the string of pubs littered along this stretch of road including the Raffles and Leopold hotels — also within the City of Melville boundaries. The song was brought to life in March 2020 with the Highway to Hell event, which turned 10km of Canning Highway from Canning Bridge to the Fremantle Traffic Bridge into the world's longest stage to mark the 40th anniversary of Scott's death. The City of Melville partnered with Perth Festival, the City of Fremantle and Town of East Fremantle to present the event. A bronze statue of Scott, created by artist Greg James, stands at the Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour. Perth Festival director Iain Grandage addresses the crowd as the convoy of trucks prepares to move off. Credit: Nic Ellis / The West Australian The singer attended North Fremantle Primary School and John Curtin Senior High School, learning to play the drums with the Fremantle Scots Pipe Band. Cr Wheatland said she wanted to honour Scott's connection to the City of Melville and put it on the map as the place where Scott's story 'truly began.' Her original motion said Scott lived in Palmyra but this was removed after doubts were raised about it. 'It doesn't matter whether he lived in Palmyra or Melville, but the thing is certain that the City of Melville has certainly been a part of his legacy,' she said. 'The last time AC/DC came to Perth, I went to his grave before the concert just to see if the band might go there to say hi, to pay their respects to Bon and have a Jack Daniels. And mate, it was packed. The Bon Scott statue at Fishing Boat Harbour. Credit: Andrew Ritchie / Community News '(Fans) leave flowers, lyrics, guitar picks, hats, underwear. Some even make the pilgrimage as a form of a personal tribute. 'And yet, for all this interest, we've done very little as a city and a local government, apart from Highway to Hell, which was incredible, to embrace it or reflect that legacy back to our community. 'We're not claiming Bon Scott. We're acknowledging that his story ends in our care.' Cr Jennifer Spanbroek opposed the motion as there was already a tribute to Scott near the Canning Bridge and it would be stepping on the toes of the City of Fremantle. 'The reason we haven't done much is we all know that Fremantle do celebrate Bon Scott,' she said. 'There's nothing stopping the City of Melville contacting the City of Fremantle and to actually see if they can do anything to work with them in a collaborative manner when they (AC/DC) do come in December. 'I just think that it puts more more and more time and effort into the city officers and it's taking them away from a lot of other lot of other duties that they've already got.' Cr Scott Green said Scott's grave could rival that of Doors lead singer Jim Morrison's in Paris. 'Bon Scott is probably as big if not bigger than Jim Morrison,' he said. He also hoped to get AC/DC to perform on the back of a truck down Canning Highway.
Time Out
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
It's official: the world's most beautiful outdoor cinema is in Australia
We Aussies are in the thick of winter right now, making it the perfect time to cosy up at the movies with a bucket of popcorn and a box of Maltesers. But here's the good news – we're officially halfway to summer, the unofficial season of outdoor cinemas. Our deliciously balmy summer weather sets the perfect scene for sinking into a bean bag with a prosecco in hand and watching the sun dip below the horizon as a blockbuster lights up the big screen. But if there's one thing that takes the movie magic to the next level, it's watching the plot unfold in a stunning location. From abandoned train tracks and cemeteries to grand castles and amphitheatres, Time Out's global film editor worked with our travel writers around the world to curate a list of the 30 most beautiful outdoor cinemas on Earth – and four Aussie theatres cracked the list. Westpac OpenAir, Sydney Australia is home to loads of breathtaking outdoor theatres, but Sydney's Westpac OpenAir took the crown as the most gorgeous alfresco cinema in the world. With the iconic Opera House and Harbour Bridge as its backdrop, this floating cinema at Mrs Macquaries Point in Sydney's Botanic Gardens is nothing short of spectacular. The massive 350-square-metre, three-storey-high screen projects everything from the latest blockbusters to vintage classics. While relaxing, you can order a bottle of bubbles to wash down a picnic box or enjoy a bougie dining experience on the site's waterside terrace. Somerville Auditorium, Perth Fancy watching a film in a forest? Perth Festival 's Somerville Auditorium has your bark, ranking as the 19th most beautiful outdoor cinema on Earth. From November to April, picnicking crowds sink into deckchairs and beanbags to watch an expertly curated festival programme full of world cinema and arthouse gems. This tradition has been happening since 1953, so it's got some serious cultural clout. Cameo Outdoor Cinema, Melbourne Following just behind in 20th place was Cameo Outdoor Cinema in Belgrave, just a 45-minute drive from Melbourne's CBD. Set against the lush backdrop of the Dandenong Ranges, this leafy spot serves up more than just scenic views – the film lineup is top-tier too. Expect everything from Almost Famous to Z, with Hitchcock marathons and even the occasional silent flick. You can even bring your four-legged friend along for the fun! Sun Pictures, Broome It's pretty cool that Australia lays claim to the world's oldest outdoor cinema, Sun Pictures, which has been playing films in a gorgeous garden in Broome since 1916. It ranked as the 30th most gorgeous screen in the world and the fourth most beautiful in Australia. Come rain, hail or shine, you'll find a mix of locals and backpackers gathering under the stars for one of two nightly screenings. We hear the house-made choc bombs here are the bomb (sorry, not sorry!).
Perth Now
20-06-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Grim news for owners of vacant land in one Perth suburb
City of Vincent vacant land owners will feel the push to develop from a 25 per cent increase in rates. The rates increase is part of the city's 2025-26 budget that was adopted unanimously at the council's June 17 meeting. In a media statement, the city said the budget focused on essential services and projects that mattered most to the community. Your local paper, whenever you want it. It said while residents were feeling the pressure of a challenging economic climate, the city was also continuing to face rising costs. Residents in the city will have a 4.5 per cent increase in rates, which equates to $1.41 per week or $73.25 per year. Rates for vacant residential properties will increase by 25 per cent. Mayor Alison Xamon said they knew people were 'doing it tough' so the budget aimed to balance the pressure of the city's rising costs while ensuring it delivered core services and continued working on main projects. 'This is why we have worked hard to form a responsible budget that goes back to basics and ensures our roads, drainage, footpaths, playgrounds and facilities are accessible and kept to a high standard.' she said. 'We were recently named the second largest metropolitan council by the Office of the Auditor General for best practice in financial reporting and one of the top 20 councils in WA. 'This achievement is a testament to how seriously we take transparency and accountability in our financial management for our community.' The budget includes funding for infrastructure upgrades, playground renewals, tree planting and community programs such as events like Rainbow Picnic, Festival of Culture, Perth Festival and Jazz Picnic in the Park. 'Our parks and sporting facilities are well-used by both locals and visitors to Vincent so we continue to invest in the maintenance and upgrade of these spaces,' Ms Xamon said. 'New playgrounds are planned for Brigatti Gardens, Britannia Reserve South and Hyde Park West, ensuring our parks continue to provide safe and enjoyable spaces for local families. 'One of our top priorities is to increase the tree canopy in Vincent, and this year we will be planting more trees and continuing to respond to the polyphagous shot-hole borer infestation.' Vincent was ranked the eighth-lowest residential rating councils in metropolitan Perth in 2024-25.
