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Perth Now
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Perth Now
Decorated car pranksters reveal method behind their madness
Decorated cars at Kwinana Marketplace On Friday, it happened again: another unsuspecting car was hit by Kwinana Marketplace's resident pranksters. This time, the familiar plastic-wrapping job was finished with a rainbow unicorn theme. Last week, the perennial pranksters contacted the Sound Telegraph and revealed exactly how they plan, stage and get away with their schemes. The pair, who both work at Big W, have been playing out their pranks under the cover of darkness since November 2021. Due to immaculate prior preparation, they can now wrap and decorate a car in 'no time at all'. The pair — who, unsurprisingly, wish to remain anonymous — met in 2018 when their children began attending kindy together but really bonded when both their mothers died. 'I think it made us closer that we could relate and understand what a lot couldn't,' they told the Sound Telegraph. The latest: a rainbow unicorn themed car. Credit: Supplied 'We started having coffee after school drop-offs each morning and we still do it each day together now with two other mums. 'It's therapy before starting work.' Work is at the local Big W store, where the two mums started together on the same day in 2021. 'We're both a little crazy, so bonded more,' they added. The flower power theme. Credit: Supplied 'So lucky, it's actually an amazing place to work in general, the boss is so good and it's a fun place to work. 'They all love it and know to keep the secret from the person whose car is getting wrapped now and not say anything.' Usually the pair just prank each other, but the recent unicorn design was added to their boss's car on her last day working at Big W. The pair first came to wider attention when a photo of a car wrapped up and decorated to look like Mickey Mouse was posted on social media last month, where it received thousands of reactions. Other impressive designs made over the years include a Christmas-themed car complete with flashing lights as well as a hippy flower power theme. And the last word from the pranksters? Shoppers should keep their eyes out in the coming weeks for another Disney-themed design. The Christmas car complete with elf. Credit: Supplied
Perth Now
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
‘Gross use of public funds': WA council curbs legal policy
A controversial policy that allowed City of Rockingham councillors to use ratepayer funds to pursue defamation cases has been overturned. The policy was first adopted in 2001 to provide a 'safer working environment' for council members, although none have ever attempted to access the public money to sue. But after a concerns notice was raised in 2022, the policy was again debated by the council where it was hotly contested, passed six votes to five and readopted. It allowed councillors to access city funding to sue for defamation any 'person or organisation lessening the confidence of the community in the local government by publicly making adverse personal comments about council members'. At the May council meeting, Cr Kelly Middlecoat successfully moved a motion to have the contentious policy amended. Baldivis councillor Kelly Middlecoat. Credit: Supplied 'Amending the legal representation policy to disallow councillors from accessing ratepayer money to initiate defamation proceedings against residents in my opinion, was critical to rebuilding trust with residents, particularly given the community's strong opposition to the policy in when it was implemented in 2022,' Cr Middlecoat told the Sound Telegraph. 'The former policy did not include a financial limit that could be requested. It also extended to former councillors, a provision which lacks a clear connection to the ongoing governance and responsibilities of the council. 'This level of privilege stands in stark contrast to the support available to frontline workers like police officers and nurses, who do not have access to public funds for personal legal matters arising from their duties.' Cr Middlecoat said Rockingham's change was a proactive measure given upcoming changes to the Local Government Act would establish new safeguards to prohibit the use of public funds for legal costs. Community members strongly opposed the policy from the beginning, although council documents reveal that since its implementation no applications have been made for funding. Cr Lorna Buchan welcomed the motion after 'failing to stop the changes to the policy' in 2022. 'The reason I spoke out loudly against the policy and the changes is that it is a gross inappropriate use of public funds,' she added.
Perth Now
10-06-2025
- Automotive
- Perth Now
Fix for Perth's most risky intersection
Traffic lights are coming to a Baldivis intersection motorists currently consider to be Perth's most risky. The State Government last week confirmed its pre-election pledge of a $7 million fix for where Baldivis Road crosses Kulija Road would be met when the State Budget is handed down in two weeks time. Authorities believe some form of flyover bridge remains the ultimate solution but traffic lights are on the cards in the interim, along with an extra westbound lane on Kulija Road that should cut the morning logjam caused by freeway-bound motorists. Drivers judged the Baldivis intersection the city's worst in the latest RAC annual survey released in February, saying the dog-legged junction gave motorists little chance to turn or cross traffic. Wellard resident Claire Cardew, who uses the intersection regularly, in February told Sound Telegraph there was a near-miss every other time she used it. 'There's very low sight lines, it's very hard to see what's coming at you and it's quite a high speed,' she said. 'There's a lot of guesswork and assumption; if someone's indicating right, you don't know if they're indicating right or if they're going straight.' But avoiding the intersection added six minutes to her regular commute, she said. Rockingham mayor Deb Hamblin said the city had advocated for an upgrade to the intersection for several years and had worked with Main Roads on a feasibility study before the funding commitment.
West Australian
05-05-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Nominations open for City of Rockingham 2025 Sports Star Awards, with prizes of $7500 on offer
Nominations are open for the City of Rockingham 2025 Sports Star Awards, with prizes worth $7500 up for grabs. The annual awards celebrate the achievements and contributions of local sportspeople and volunteers. 'This year we've got an exciting line-up of speakers: TV and radio presenter Amberley Lobo as MC and five-time basketball Paralympian Brad Ness as guest speaker,' mayor Deb Hamblin said. 'We are pleased to welcome back the Sound Telegraph, which continues to support the sporting community of Rockingham through sponsorship of the Sports Star Awards.' Nomination categories include: Online nominations close Monday, June 30, and this year can be made online. For more information, visit .
