Latest news with #RossSwanborough
Perth Now
4 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
SOAK-EROOS! Aussie stars brave drenching for WA training run
The countdown to the biggest game in Perth's soccer history is underway and the Socceroos are stepping up preparations — come rain, hail or shine. With just days to go until their crunch World Cup qualifier against Japan, the Socceroos have enjoyed their first training session in Perth ahead of Thursday's night Optus Stadium blockbuster. Both the national team and approximately a couple of hundred of fans braved the inclement weather for the open session at HBF Park on Monday evening. If you'd like to view this content, please adjust your . To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. WA products Adam Taggart, Alessandro Circati and Cameron Burgess were among the Socceroos on the pitch as they enjoyed their first session on home soil after a grueling 10-day training camp in Abu Dhabi. But while Perth's downpour kept a big crowd away, the Australian team made sure to make it worth the time of those who did attend in spite of the heavy rain. Fans take in the session. Credit: Ross Swanborough / The West Australian Following the conclusion of their session, the Australian side ventured to the edge of the pitch to sign autographs for their adoring fans despite the rain re-commencing. 21 players were on track for the Socceroos, with Denmark-based Paul Izzo and Mo Toure and American-based Aiden O'Neill, Kye Rowles and Patrick Yazbek still yet to arrive in camp. Players going through their paces in Perth. Credit: Ross Swanborough / The West Australian A win for the Socceroos on Thursday night would put them on the brink of qualification for a sixth successive World Cup. If Saudi Arabia fail to beat Bahrain in the hours after Australia's match with Japan, it would ensure the Socceroos safe passage through to next year's marquee tournament, to be played across the USA, Canada and Mexico. Fans watching. Credit: Ross Swanborough / The West Australian Any positive result for Australia against an already-qualified Japanese side - who have left several stars at home and brought an inexperienced squad to Perth - would set them up well ahead of their final game of the campaign against Saudi Arabia in Jeddah next Tuesday.
Perth Now
5 days ago
- Business
- Perth Now
How a WA brewery became an icon with just $25k
In the 20 years since launching with salvaged equipment and a $25,000 credit card, Gage Roads Brewing Co. has surfed the ebbs and flows of the craft beer industry to become Australia's fourth-biggest beer group. 'Number cruncher' John Hoedemaker and his brother Bill, an award-winning brewer, started the business named after the stretch of water between Fremantle and Rottnest Island in the former Meadow Lea margarine factory in Palmyra. Rather than follow in the footsteps of pioneering Fremantle brewpubs Sail & Anchor or Little Creatures, Gage Roads opened the production facility well before its 'ultimate beach house' at Fremantle's Victoria Quay. Gage Roads is now part of Good Drinks Australia, also home to Matso's, Alby and other brands. The company delisted from the ASX in December 2024. Anthea Green, Kieran Hookway, Lavinia Collins and Chase Barrett-Brown enjoying the beers at Gage Road Freo. Credit: Ross Swanborough / The West Australian Chief strategy officer Aaron Heary said while other craft breweries focused on hops and other ingredients to impress 'bearded hipsters with tattoos', Gage Roads focused on aligning their brand with the coastal lifestyle. 'We kind of broke all the rules,' the former head brewer said. We'd like to see a Gage Roads beer in every fridge in Australia. Gage Roads' Single Fin summer ale is currently the fifth biggest selling beer by volume in WA after Great Northern, Emu Export, Carlton Dry and Corona — all owned by Japanese giants Asahi and Kirin. Gage Roads co-founder John Hoedemaker and chief strategy officer Aaron Heary. Credit: Ross Swanborough / The West Australian Mr Heary revealed Single Fin was initially called South Beach before being pulled from shelves because a major brewer had already registered the name. In addition to an epic Sunday session starring local musician Noah Dillon on the WA Day long weekend, Gage Roads will unveil new core range beer, Huey Coastal Lager, to celebrate its 20th birthday. The 3.8 per cent pure malt lager featuring the brewer's seagull mascot Huey harkens back to Gage Roads' first beer, Pure Malt Lager. Mr Hoedemaker was keen for Gage Roads, which was 25 per cent owned by Woolworths from 2009 to 2016, to become entrenched as the pre-eminent WA beer brand. 'It's important for a community to have their own brewery,' he said. Gage Roads will also continue to push into eastern states markets, especially Queensland, according to Mr Hoedemaker. 'We'd like to see a Gage Roads beer in every fridge in Australia,' he said.
Perth Now
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Artist turns to cutting-edge artistic practice
Renowned WA multidisciplinary artist Leon Pericles is in his three-dimensional era for his latest exhibition Objecticus Eclecticus at Linton & Kay Galleries Cottesloe. Electric in the sense that the works are more cutting-edge than Pericles' usual artistic practice, the exhibition features 25 original works and sculptures including etchings and interactive elements. 'I always prefer to work on the cusp of something edgy that I've invented,' Pericles says. Your local paper, whenever you want it. 'I can be influenced, but I never copy.' It has been eight years since Pericles' 50-year retrospective exhibition, Scratching the Surface, as he works between home studios in Margaret River and East Perth, inspired by a range of diverse interests and deep curiosity about the world around him. Leon Pericles's latest exhibition Objecticus Eclecticus at Linton & Kay Galleries Cottesloe. Credit: Ross Swanborough / The West Australian Forever supported by his creative counsel and manager, wife Moira, until her advanced dementia, it is a career that led Pericles to being appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2023 King's Birthday Honours for his significant contribution to the visual arts. The honour came in the aftermath of a personal revelation by Pericles, discovered by chance while watching a late night Australian Story episode on Archibald Prize winning artist Vincent Fantauzzo, speaking about his dyslexia. 'I related to everything he was saying so much,' Pericles says. 'So at midnight, in the middle of the bush in Margaret River, at the age of 74, I suddenly realised I was totally and absolutely dyslexic. Everything fell into place. I'd had a highly stressful existence all my life. I tried to hide the fact that I was called an idiot more often than deservedly at school. I was laughed at, but I had enough wit about me to be amusing and funny, and so I was okay.' WA artist Leon Pericles' latest exhibition Objecticus Eclecticus at Linton & Kay Galleries Cottesloe. Credit: Ross Swanborough / The West Australian Those experiences at school, plus a love of art, took him to Perth Technical School on James Street in the early 1970s, despite his father wanting him to pursue a career in engineering. It was during his days as a technical college art student that Pericles discovered art supplies store Jacksons. 'We would walk over to the Jacksons store on William Street, which had quite a big facade to it,' he recounts. While he would glean as much knowledge as he could from owner Mr Jackson during those formative years, Pericles would eventually become a go-to artist that Jacksons shop assistants would phone for advice, particularly for printmaking. WA artist Leon Pericles' latest exhibition Objecticus Eclecticus at Linton & Kay Galleries Cottesloe. Credit: Ross Swanborough / The West Australian Pericles in now adding to his long association with Jacksons by joining the Jacksons' 70th anniversary art competition judging panel alongside sculptor Georgia Zoric, Jacksons general manager Scott Boercamp and PerthNow Local newspapers editor Arylene Westlake-Jennings. PerthNow and Jacksons are inviting artists across Perth to submit original artwork that celebrates what they love most about their local Jacksons store and their community to be in the running for $5000. Visit for more information.
Perth Now
14-05-2025
- Perth Now
Major update after tradies injured in fall at private school
Two men who were injured on a school construction site in Attadale on Saturday morning have been discharged from hospital. The incident at Santa Maria College unfolded about 8am when the two men, both aged in their 20s, fell from a height while working on the school's $25 million performing arts centre. It's understood the pair were struck by steel, causing the elevated work platform they were on to collapse. Your local paper, whenever you want it. The school's deputy principal Danielle Spark confirmed the injuries in an email to the school community and said the Catholic girls school had been operating as normal this week. 'There were no day students or staff on campus at the time,' she wrote. 'While some of our boarding students are on site over the weekend, they are nowhere near the construction area and are completely safe. 'We can confirm that there is no impact on the safety or operations of the college. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been injured and their families.' A St John WA spokesperson said five crews went to the scene on Saturday, with one man rushed to Royal Perth Hospital and the other taken under normal road conditions. The construction site at Santa Maria College. Credit: Ross Swanborough / The West Australian The extent of their injuries remains unknown but both men were able to leave hospital earlier this week. A WorkSafe spokeswoman confirmed the regulator had been notified of the incident and an investigation was under way. 'The two workers involved were working on elevated work platforms, and they've been struck by some of the steel that they were working from, and that's caused an (elevated work platform) to actually fall over,' she said. CFMEU Construction and General Union is conducting its own examination of the site and secretary Mick Buchan said it was a miracle no one was killed. Mr Buchan said the union would 'be launching a full-scale investigation into the crane and rigging sectors'. 'We will leave no stone unturned. Every contractor, every site, every unsafe practice — we're coming,' he said. 'This is a wake-up call for the entire construction industry.' When complete the performing arts centre will have an auditorium with up to 650 seats. The school's approved plans also show a smaller black box theatre space, dance studio, orchestra and ensemble rooms, large multi-use foyer and an integrated courtyard for performances and gatherings.
Perth Now
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
The Italian neighbourhood gem that's flying under the radar
'Bringing a dog.' The little white box thoughtfully staring back at me on the online booking form confirmed this was my kind of establishment. While (sadly) a furry friend remains a twinkle in my eye (due to a fencing issue and a human companion less excited to acquire a canine one), I appreciate a dining venue that welcomes all. Throw in a little taste of Italy and my heart starts to sing. Bodega, a neighbourhood trattoria on an unassuming street in Scarborough touts all the pizza and pasta classics. With menu items like burrata addiction, $27, and arancini truffle bomb, $22, ordering is a no-nonsense experience. Vegos and vegans are also well catered for, with a curious cauliflower steak, $29, appearing as a main. Service is excellent — warm, attentive, friendly. Outdoor tables are full this early evening, as we sit inside by a window, surrounded by couples, a family and friend groups deep in conversation. A mishmash of interiors that feature aqua-blue walls, disco balls, framed photos and a lone Azzurri jersey hanging from the ceiling suggest the team behind Bodega don't take themselves too seriously, though the quality of the food says otherwise. A bite of the arancini's crisp outer layer reveals a creamy mushroom mix encasing a melted 'cheese heart' centre. Generous dollops of truffle mayo provide a flavour sensation that transcends your standard rice ball. Linguine ai gamberi at Bodega. Credit: Ross Swanborough / The West Australian The burrata, big and beautiful as it should be, resting beside a bed of deliciously fresh cherry tomatoes and basil, urges us to sample the pan fritto, $14. The 48-hour pizza dough, cut and fried with parmigiano is the perfect side with a dollop of creamy cheese. Bodega offers a nice selection of Italian wines by the glass as well as some locals, a reasonably priced cocktail list, beers and spirits. A 2022 Italian fiano proves a fine choice for the mains to come. Penne alla vodka, $35, sees faultlessly al dente tubes in a creamy tomato-vodka sauce topped with crispy prosciutto and just enough spice. The linguine ai gamberi, $36, has a fair serving of succulent prawns and packs a punch with heat, with pangrattato adding a nice texture. Both pasta dishes are full of flavour and satisfy on all fronts. With barely a skerrick of room for dessert, we succumb to the panna cotta with housemade coulis, $15. The fruity topping is sweet without being cloying, with the velvety firm custard a pleasurable end to the meal. Opened by three friends with a desire to provide great food in a warm atmosphere, Bodega is certainly hitting the mark. While popular among locals, this gem of a diner has been flying under the radar. We'll likely be back soon, with kids or pup in tow. An easygoing neighbourhood restaurant serving authentic Italian dishes made with care. Great wines and excellent food. Deserving of repeat visits. Bodega 16e Calais Rd, Scarborough Open: Monday to Sunday, 5pm - late Bookings: Yes Contact:
