Latest news with #TheWestAustralian
Perth Now
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Lost backpacker could get ‘serious money' from survival tale
Celebrity publicist Max Markson says German backpacker Carolina Wilga could earn 'serious money' if she decides to sell her harrowing survival story to a media outlet. Ms Wilga was discharged from Fiona Stanley Hospital on Wednesday, five days after she was miraculously found after spending almost a fortnight lost in WA's Wheatbelt region. The 26-year-old spent 12 days on foot and survived by drinking water from puddles and sleeping in a cave, before she was spotted by a passing local. Mr Markson described Ms Wilga's remarkable feat as an 'incredible story' and said it would likely attract international media attention. The 26-year-old backpacker was micraculously found on Friday after nearly a fortnight lost in WA's Wheatbelt region. Credit: WA Police / WA Police 'I think she could definitely sell the story here in Australia, she could definitely sell it in Germany, and she could probably sell it in America, New Zealand and the UK,' he told The West Australian. 'She's definitely worth serious money and she should capitalise it for her sake.' Mr Markson said people were eager to hear Ms Wilga's survival story, but said her first priority was to make a full recovery. 'People want to hear her story, there's no doubt about that . . . she's so young and it will benefit her in the long term,' he said. 'I'm not saying she has to do interviews all the time, but she should capitalise on it — the fact that she's alive (means) she can earn serious money. 'She's got to sort herself out (and feel better) because it's a really hard experience that she's gone through.' Ms Wilga was discharged from Fiona Stanley Hospital on Wednesday, five days after being found. Credit: WA POLICE Mr Markson has been behind some of the country's biggest TV deals, including Nine's controversial rumoured $2 million payment to Cleo Smith's family for her story about her 18-day kidnapping ordeal. In a statement earlier this week, Ms Wilga thanked the WA community for their dedicated search efforts. 'I am certain that I survived only thanks to this incredible outpouring of support,' she said. 'The thought of all the people who believed in me, searched for me, and kept hoping for me gave me the strength to carry on during my darkest moments. For this, I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. 'Especially to the police investigators, searchers, the German Consulate, the medical staff and the wonderful nurses who took care of me with so much compassion. 'My deepest thanks also go to every single person who simply thought of me – and of course, to my rescuer and angel, Tania.' On Monday night, Ms Wilga posted photographs from her hospital bed surrounded by food gifted to her by the German Consulate. The 26-year-old returned to social media on Monday night. Credit: Unknown / Instagram 'When you need to gain 12 kilograms back,' the photo caption read.
West Australian
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- West Australian
Carolina Wilga: Celebrity publicist says backpacker could earn ‘serious money' for selling survival story
Celebrity publicist Max Markson says German backpacker Carolina Wilga could earn 'serious money' if she decides to sell her harrowing survival story to a media outlet. Ms Wilga was discharged from Fiona Stanley Hospital on Wednesday, five days after she was miraculously found after spending almost a fortnight lost in WA's Wheatbelt region. The 26-year-old spent 12 days on foot and survived by drinking water from puddles and sleeping in a cave, before she was spotted by a passing local. Mr Markson described Ms Wilga's remarkable feat as an 'incredible story' and said it would likely attract international media attention. 'I think she could definitely sell the story here in Australia, she could definitely sell it in Germany, and she could probably sell it in America, New Zealand and the UK,' he told The West Australian. 'She's definitely worth serious money and she should capitalise it for her sake.' Mr Markson said people were eager to hear Ms Wilga's survival story, but said her first priority was to make a full recovery. 'People want to hear her story, there's no doubt about that . . . she's so young and it will benefit her in the long term,' he said. 'I'm not saying she has to do interviews all the time, but she should capitalise on it — the fact that she's alive (means) she can earn serious money. 'She's got to sort herself out (and feel better) because it's a really hard experience that she's gone through.' Mr Markson has been behind some of the country's biggest TV deals, including Nine's controversial rumoured $2 million payment to Cleo Smith's family for her story about her 18-day kidnapping ordeal. In a statement earlier this week, Ms Wilga thanked the WA community for their dedicated search efforts. 'I am certain that I survived only thanks to this incredible outpouring of support,' she said. 'The thought of all the people who believed in me, searched for me, and kept hoping for me gave me the strength to carry on during my darkest moments. For this, I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. 'Especially to the police investigators, searchers, the German Consulate, the medical staff and the wonderful nurses who took care of me with so much compassion. 'My deepest thanks also go to every single person who simply thought of me – and of course, to my rescuer and angel, Tania.' On Monday night, Ms Wilga posted photographs from her hospital bed surrounded by food gifted to her by the German Consulate. 'When you need to gain 12 kilograms back,' the photo caption read.
Perth Now
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Record-breaking NAIDOC basketball carnival at Bendat centre
A record-breaking 106 teams from across WA have just wrapped up a special tournament at the Bendat Basketball Centre, a three-day celebration of culture, community and connection through the power of sport. Players travelled from as far as the Kimberley, Pilbara, Goldfields, Kununurra, Leonora, Albany, Bunbury and other Great Southern regions to take part in the ninth — and easily the biggest — iteration of the NAIDOC Basketball Carnival. Boys, girls, men and women took the courts to compete in categories from under-10s to under 23s, but the event wasn't just about sport. Jayden Stack in the under-12 boys game for Binar. Credit: Kelsey Reid / The West Australian The event is put on by Basketball WA and Binar Futures, which is a not-for-profit charity that works with disadvantaged youth. Binar Futures founder and executive director Adam Desmond said this year's numbers were an incredible rise on last year, when they had just nine teams. 'This is the biggest NAIDOC basketball carnival we've ever seen here in WA; it's a massive milestone,' he said. Jean Coyle, 16 and Shayla Hart, 14, from Bunbury. Credit: Kelsey Reid / The West Australian Mr Desmond said the carnival was structured and competitive, with fixtures running over three full days, but it was as much about connection. 'We've had kids waiting all month to play,' he said. 'Some even showed up on the day hoping to get into a team. We try to make it work. 'NAIDOC is a very important time for Aboriginal people, and everyone, to come together and celebrate culture. This event brings hundreds of young people together in a positive space.' Northern Star Resources helped provide accommodation for some of the people who travelled long distances. Premier Roger Cook pays the carnival a visit. Credit: Kelsey Reid / The West Australian Premier Roger Cook was among politicians and other guests who attended the opening ceremony, which featured a welcome to country and cultural performances. The carnival also included family-friendly activations for all ages and an elder's room, a peaceful space offering a moment of rest, reflection and reconnection, as well as free health checks from more than 14 organisations. The event has become a key feature on WA's community sport calendar.
Perth Now
16 hours ago
- Business
- Perth Now
Famous gelateria to open in buzzing, food-focused Perth hub
An East Coast-based ice creamery will throw open the doors to its second location in Perth after demand for its creamy creations has increased. Gelato Messina will open on Albany Highway in Victoria Park on Thursday with a launch party ice cream fans are sure to love. It comes two years after the first Messina store opened in Highgate. To celebrate, limited-edition Rotto buns flavour — cream bun gelato with whipped cream and raspberry purée — inspired by Rottnest Island's famed cream buns will be on offer. It will be available exclusively at the Victoria Park store during launch week. The new store will feature Messina's signature 40-flavour gelato cabinet, with 35 classic flavours and five rotating weekly specials, alongside a range of gelato cakes, house-made dulce de leche jars, and select Messina merchandise. Messina in Victoria Park is set to open on Thursday. Credit: Supplied Owner and brand custodian Declan Lee said the team couldn't be happier with the Vic Park site, considering the suburb was where they first set sights on bringing Messina into WA. 'Vic Park was always where we wanted to open our first door, to be honest,' he said. 'We used to go over there and try and scope out locations, and it was probably our favourite location, but we couldn't find the right site, and then we found a really cool site in Highgate Mount Lawley, opened that, and that was fantastic. 'Then something came up in Vic Park, and we found the right site, so we are very excited that that's our second store.' Mr Lee said Perth's response to Messina — founded in Darlinghurst in 2002 — had been exceptional, hence the new store in one of the city's hotspots. 'Perth is a really great city because it's so far away that if you do something there and you do it well, you get rewarded,' he said. Declan Lee at the Highgate store. Credit: Ian Munro / The West Australian 'I think people were kind of really excited for us to come so when we opened the first doors it was absolutely crazy and now we've kind of found our feet there and embedded ourselves with the locals.' With more space to play in this store, Mr Lee is also excited to start rolling out more events, carts and pop-ups around WA with people urged to 'watch this space'. Messina's team of gelato makers and pastry chefs create everything in-house, from baked brownie bits to coulis and caramels. The gelateria even operates its own dairy farm in country Victoria, producing rich jersey milk just for the beloved gelato. There are now 30 stores around the country.
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Last chance to dance under snow inside glowing Perth igloo
Tilly O'Shea, Claire O'Shea & Astrid Winburn-Clarke. Picture: John Koh / The West Australian Families and teenage friends can enjoy a chilly night in Perth this Saturday with the last chance to battle in a real snowball fight and dance inside a glowing igloo. Winter Fest Nights, put on by the City of Perth, have taken over the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre for the past two weekends with wintery fun including ice skating and snow slides. Made for teens, mates and date nights, the event also features DJs, dodgems, carnival rides and a pop-up bar. This year, a snowball showdown — a target game using real snow — and a sub-zero silent disco inside an igloo with falling snow take the experience to the next level. For people who'd rather brave the cold by day, the family-friendly School's Out Winter Fest also delivers real snowball battles, snow slides, ice skating, carnival rides and showbags. The day activities are on offer until Sunday. Each $45 ticket includes more than $270 in value and allows free entry for one adult per child. Night session tickets are $45 and include ice skating, rides, and access to all experiences. Entry-only tickets are available for $15.
