Latest news with #TheWestAust
Perth Now
30-05-2025
- General
- Perth Now
Why you should visit Coles for a sausage sizzle this weekend
The WA community is encouraged to pop to their local Coles and grab a sizzling snag in the spirit of Telethon at the weekend. Every Coles supermarket across the State will host a community BBQ on Saturday and Sunday in hopes of raising $50,000 for sick, vulnerable and disadvantaged children. Coles assistant State manager Jeff Stephens said they are 'incredibly proud' to support Telethon. 'This BBQ is about more than just the snags, it's about showing up for local kids and families, celebrating our community spirit, and doing our bit to make a real difference,' he said. Customers can purchase a hotdog for $3.50, or snag a deal with a hotdog and a drink for $5. One hundred per cent of the proceeds will go to Telethon. The BBQ will run outside Coles stores from 9am to 2pm on Saturday, 31, and from 11am to 2pm Sunday, 1 June. Customers can purchase a hotdog for $3.50. Credit: Jackson Flindell / Jackson Flindell / The West Aust
Perth Now
29-05-2025
- General
- Perth Now
Brother Olly Pickett crowned Western Australian of the Year
A humble retired metalwork teacher who has rallied hundreds of WA volunteers to gift thousands of wheelchairs to children in some of the world's poorest countries has been crowned this year's Western Australian of the Year. Brother Olly Pickett took home the State's highest honour at a prestigious gala at Crown Perth on Thursday night in recognition of his remarkable work over the past 30 years with his charity, Wheelchair for Kids Australia. It was a project that started in his workshop in Perth in 1996 after a request from a local Rotary Club. In the decades since, the volunteer-run charity has grown to a team of more than 250 volunteers — with an average age of 74 — giving hundreds of people a sense of purpose and making it one of the State's biggest charities. A further 550 volunteers from aged care and community groups also sew covers for wheelchair soft supports, and crochet rugs and soft toys. Since its inception, more than 61,500 all-terrain wheelchairs have been delivered to children in more than 80 countries, including Laos, Kenya and Mongolia, completely free of charge. Brother Olly Pickett. Credit: Jackson Flindell / Jackson Flindell / The West Aust In a world first, the wheelchairs — which have been backed by the World Health Organisation — are fully adjustable, meaning they can 'grow' with the child into adulthood. They give children without mobility the chance to go to school, play with their friends and live with dignity. The 84-year-old said he felt 'humbled and grateful' and described the award as a 'magnificent honour'. 'I'm still trying to get over it, I feel very overwhelmed,' he told The West Australian after receiving the award. 'Every morning I get up and thank the Lord that I can do this because there are a lot of people who are far worse off than me. 'These kids can't even get off the ground and then they get too heavy for their mothers to lift, and now they can go to school and get an education. 'It's just changing lives completely, not only for the little kids, but also for their family.' Before founding the charity, Brother Olly spent four decades as a metal work teacher and Christian Brother teaching teenagers who had dropped out of school. Those students helped build some of the charity's first wheelchairs. 'When I retired my big boss said, 'What would you like to do now?' and I said, 'I wouldn't mind doing something to help kids who have dropped out of mainstream school,'' he said. 'The kids asked me about making a wheelchair and I said I had never made one before, so they showed me.' Brother Olly — who was also awarded the Alcoa of Australia Community Award — attended Thursday night's gala with six other volunteers from his factory. He said he was 'so grateful' for his volunteers and said they were 'all in this together'. 'It's a very rewarding lifestyle,' he said. 'Nothing's a burden, they are such a wonderful group of people that you just can't but be glad to be part of it.' Incredibly, Brother Olly said he would celebrate the award with a 'nice cup of coffee'. 'I'm getting a bit too old to celebrate, but I'll probably have a nice cup of coffee somewhere,' he said. 'I can't thank everyone enough, I hope (winning this award) does a lot for our project and our wonderful volunteers.' The honour follows on from Mr Pickett being named the 2025 Senior Australian of the Year in January. Twenty one finalists were recognised across seven award categories. 2025 WESTERN AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR – WINNERS Western Australian of the Year – Brother Oliver 'Olly' Pickett Wesfarmers Aboriginal Award – Dr Mara West Crown Perth Arts & Culture Award – Lucy Durack The Chamber of Minerals & Energy WA Business Award – Nigel Satterley Alcoa of Australia Community Award – Brother Oliver 'Olly' Pickett APM Professions Award – Prof. Sue Fletcher Channel 7 Sport Award – Nina Kennedy BHP Youth Award – Kennedy Lay
Perth Now
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Could these Perth triplets be the world's next big boy band?
Will these Perth triplets be the world's next big boy band? Conrad, Oscar and Francis Cvitan have been turning heads across WA for their identical look, and their incredible musical talent. They are the 16-year-old brothers behind the WA band Birdland. With over 185k followers on TikTok and a WAM Song of The Year nomination under their belts, the teenage trio shows just how far raw talent and a good hook can go. Sixteen year old identical triplets Conrad, Francis and Oscar Cvitan are the three members of band "Birdland". Credit: Jackson Flindell / Jackson Flindell / The West Aust Francis — who plays guitar and sings — agrees that international attention is mind-blowing. 'It feels very flattering, it's wonderful to see us have such a reach in audience,' he said. 'We wouldn't have thought this year we would be having people in Brazil and Indonesia and the Philippines and America and the UK hearing our music, saying, 'it's really amazing'.' In typical sibling fashion the brothers can't agree on which genre Birdland's music falls under but say it's safe to say it's a combination of Indie, Funk, and Pop. Their music has been compared to Rex Orange Country, Crowded House, and Maroon 5. Despite the bands uncertainty around genre their social media success has led fans to demand the triplets go on tour, and the Birdland brothers have devised an innovative solution. Oscar — who plays bass, sings and manages the band — said obviously, they can't travel worldwide yet, but they have been using the live stream function on social media to perform online concerts. 'It's accessible, and people get to hear it and see what we're really like,' he said. Although the brother's success exceeded expectations, Birdland has set bigger goals for the future. For Conrad — who plays the drums and sings — the next milestone will be to play at a sold-out local venue where fans sing along to their songs. 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. 'My biggest dream for our band is to play at Scarborough Amphitheatre with a packed out crowd and them singing our songs,' he said. Francis is aiming for a bigger venue with a few more people. 'Playing in front of 1000 people while they sing our songs, actually, let's dream bigger, let's go 10,000 people while they sing our songs, and not at Scarborough Amphitheatre,' he joked. Birdland is reeling in local recognition, along with its international support and social media success. News. Sixteen year old identical triplets Conrad, Francis and Oscar Cvitan are the three members of band "Birdland". Jackson Flindell Credit: Jackson Flindell / Jackson Flindell / The West Aust 'It's really cool. I didn't expect that to happen, but I'm very happy and very excited,' Conrad said. The 16-year-old stars have a strong foothold in the WA music scene, playing multiple local gigs, including opening The West Australian Pulse exhibition earlier in the month. Birdland's second single, On My Mind — inspired by Francis' recent breakup — drops at the end of June. For West Aussies keen to see the next big boy band live, they will be playing at Y HQ in Leederville on June 20 for the launch of their new single.
West Australian
18-05-2025
- Health
- West Australian
Gary Martin: Does ‘wellness' really count if you're not miserably suffering?
As winter approaches and the mercury dips, most of us are bracing for the usual seasonal discomfort — cold mornings, foggy windscreens and the annual return of thermal underwear. But while many seek warmth and shelter, a growing number are doing quite the opposite. They are flinging themselves into tubs of freezing water — on purpose. Cold plunging — otherwise known as ice bathing — is winning over wellness circles across the country as people willingly swap warmth for water that could make even a penguin wince. Fill a tub — or wheelie bin, bath, barrel or purpose-built plunge pod — with ice and water, jump in, breathe through the shock and then sit still while your limbs freeze over. Some plunge first thing in the morning to start the day with a jolt while others incorporate it into workout recovery routines. But behind the brave faces and blue lips lies a frosty question: why are so many people throwing themselves into the deep freeze in the name of health? Professor Gary Martin is CEO of AIM WA and a specialist in workplace and social trends. Credit: Jackson Flindell / Jackson Flindell / The West Aust Part of the answer lies in the changing nature of wellness itself. Health and wellness were once about a balanced diet and going for gentle walks. Fast forward to today and it seems that it is not enough to take care of your body. You have to show you are punishing your body and testing your personal physical and mental limits. Supporters of this frosty phenomenon also point to a range of alleged benefits including sharper focus, improved mood, better sleep, reduced inflammation and boosted resilience. But not everyone is convinced. While some research does support the release of feel-good chemicals after cold exposure, much of the broader hype is — well — on thin ice. On top of that, plunging into an icy bath is a wintertime ritual which seems, quite literally, out of touch with reality. Most Australians spend winter avoiding the cold at all costs by layering up, lingering in hot showers and cranking up the heater at the first hint of a chill. None of this is to say that cold plunges are inherently bad. For some, they offer a genuine boost. But we should remember that in a world which increasingly treats discomfort as a badge of honour, real resilience might just be about picking what is right for you, even if that means giving an ice bath the flick. So this winter, while others are busy tipping ice into tubs and timing their plunges, it might be wiser to think about what wellbeing really looks like for you. After all, wellness does not have to come with a frost warning. Professor Gary Martin is CEO of AIM WA and a specialist in workplace and social trends
Perth Now
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
‘Matcha Made in Heaven' claims to be WA's Best Cocktail
As a love letter to WA, Marina Vidal has created a cocktail she believes has 'never been seen before.' The Sandbar Scarborough Beach bar manager has crafted an eye-catching, unique, fresh and green cocktail for WA's Best Cocktail Competition — which is highlighting the talent and innovation of the WA bar and cocktail scene. 'Matcha Made in Heaven is a love letter of how I feel about Western Australia, the State's vibrant coast reminds me of the vibrant colour,' Ms Vidal said. The Sandbar is among 21 WA venues which have entered the competition, run by the Australian Hotels Association WA & Don Julio. AHA WA chief executive Bradley Woods said it was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate creativity and showcase the exceptional quality that WA venues deliver. Bar Manager Marina Vidal with her cocktail creation Matcha Made in Heaven at The Sandbar Scarborough Beach. Credit: Jackson Flindell / Jackson Flindell / The West Aust 'Western Australia's hospitality industry is home to some of the most creative cocktail makers in the country,' Mr Woods said. 'This competition is about more than just a great drink — it's about the artistry, passion and storytelling that bring each cocktail to life.' It's evident that Ms Vidal's Matcha Made in Heaven is full of that creativity. And she believes it's uniqueness and the fabulous flavour are why it should win. 'I feel like the Matcha and Midori is very trendy, and people love it. It's just different than everything else, I don't think I've seen anyone come up with that yet,' she said. To create the cocktail, the 30-year-old tested various recipes but ultimately decided to go with the first version she came up with while sitting on her couch. The fresh yet sweet flavours combine Matcha, Gin, Lemon, Sugar syrup, Midori, and foamer. Voting is open to the public until May 26. The top four finalists will be invited to compete in a live mix-off at the AHA Hospitality Expo at Crown Perth on 24 June 2025. Bar Manager Marina Vidal with her cocktail creation Matcha Made in Heaven at The Sandbar Scarborough Beach. Credit: Jackson Flindell / Jackson Flindell / The West Aust RECIPE: 30mL Matcha diluted with water (2g match for 500mL of water), 30mL Gin 30mL Lemon 30mL Sugar syrup 30mL Midori, 2 drops of foamer 1. Muddle 3 slices of cucumber in a shaker. 2. Add all the rest of the ingredients to the shaker, including a tiny bit of foamer. 3. Shake. 4. Fill shaker with ice and shake again. 5. Double strain into a tall glass with ice and a matcha rim. 6. Garnish with an edible flower.
