Latest news with #WADay
West Australian
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- West Australian
Kalgoorlie-Boulder WA Day festivities at Centennial Park today
Kalgoorlie-Boulder residents and visitors can celebrate WA Day at Centennial Park today. This year's Living Histories program will include cultural celebrations and performances from the community, including dynamic vocalists and percussionists who will bring energy, rhythm, and plenty of smiles to the stage. Children can enjoy the Fun Zone, with free activities at every stall, including Angie the Fairy's whimsical purple tent, and farmyard favourites at Old Macdonald's Travelling Farms. Curious minds can try their hand at gold panning, bubble fun with Super Sarah, the Mini Mining Zone, and the Cameleers and Camel exhibition at Museum In A Container. For thrillseekers, Radrock Climbing Adventure's 4m-high course offers the ultimate challenge, with more than 40m of climbing, balancing, and obstacles to conquer. Safely harnessed and guided by qualified instructors, children can test their limits and build confidence on this exciting course. On stage, there will be multicultural performances from acts including Puca Irish Music, The Salt Lake Shantymen, Filipino Dancers, and Ras with African Drumming. Creative types will have the opportunity to contribute to collaborative artworks, explore Aboriginal art with renowned Goldfields artists, and even take their own creative pieces home. There will also be plenty of food vendors serving up global flavours, and local community groups running fun, interactive fundraisers. Kalgoorlie-Boulder's WA Day Festival runs from 10am-2pm at Centennial Park today.
West Australian
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- West Australian
Leonora hive of activity once again as Golden Gift takes over Goldfields town
The northern Goldfields town of Leonora was once again a hive of activity on the WA Day long weekend as the annual Golden Gift athletics and community festival took over the town. The two-day carnival for all age ranges peaked on Sunday afternoon with the men's and women's elite mile races, with Olympian Peter Bol the headline runner in the men's event. The total prize pool this year was $65,000. Other running events on the town's main street on Sunday included 120m, 600m and mile events for all ages. Saturday saw the popular work boot sprint, as well as children's activities, a fireworks display and performances from bands — this year Coterie and Renegade were the featured acts. A bowls tournament took place during the weekend, and the Leonora Art Prize was opened. The Golden Gift usually takes place in conjunction with the annual Goldfields Cyclassic, however this event was cancelled this year. Full coverage in the Kalgoorlie Miner this week.
West Australian
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- West Australian
Editorial: Be grateful, and enjoy our great State
As West Australians, we have a lot to be thankful for. Not just for our beautiful beaches, or for our breathtaking natural wonders, or for our vast natural resources that make our economy the envy of the world. In celebration of WA Day, we asked some of WA's most recognisable Sandgropers what they loved most about this great State. The common thread? The people. 'We can almost pick each other out of a crowd,' famous Bunbury export Natalie Barr said. 'There's something about West Australians. 'We tell it like it is. We own what we say. And I reckon that's because we know deep down that we come from the best place on Earth.' In fact, Governor Chris Dawson said it was the people of WA that was its 'greatest treasure'. 'It is those people, and the over 3 million like them, which make this State not just a large space on a map. But a place we are all proud to call home,' he said. Premier Roger Cook reckons 'we're a friendly, welcoming bunch'. 'Maybe it's our isolation, or maybe it's just the WA way, but our sense of community is second to none,' he said. Meanwhile, Acting Perth Lord Mayor Bruce Reynolds lauded the West Aussie spirit of 'backing the underdog', 'believing in a fair go' and 'having a crack'. 'This State has a wildness to it, a vastness but also a warmth. A community spirit that's generous, honest, and quietly proud,' he said. Speaking of proud, WA has been home to some of the world's most important medical breakthroughs, famous musicians and actors and athletes that have gone on to win gold at the Olympics. Some, like American actress Kate Walsh, have swapped the lights of Hollywood for the glorious beaches of Perth, which she has made her adopted home. 'I love the diversity of WA, both geographically and culturally,' Walsh tells us. 'I have never seen a place like Margaret River or Denmark or the Kimberley, or the simple beauty of the moonrise over the Perth river, and how the light makes everyone look pink and beautiful when they have a sunset swim in April.' And faced with uncertain times, and turmoil in parts of the globe, we reflect on how lucky we are to live here, to be able to bring our families up safely without the fear of war or violence. Where there is access to world-class health care, education, and jobs, with our resources industry pumping billions of dollars into the country's economy every year. It's in recognition of that role in the nation's economic growth that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will bring his Cabinet to Perth on Tuesday. Today, thousands of West Australians, from Karratha in the north, to Albany in the south and Geraldton in between, will gather to celebrate our State and recognise its history. Wherever you are, and whatever you choose to do to, Happy WA Day.
Perth Now
19 hours 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.
West Australian
20 hours ago
- Automotive
- West Australian
Potentially contaminated water burst closes Albany Highway between Blackwood and Pensioner roads
A stretch of Albany Highway has been closed after a water main burst near a decommissioned fuel tank, spreading potentially contaminated liquid on the road. According to DFES, the leak was reported in Kojonup — about 250km south of Perth — just before 10am on Sunday and isolated just after 10.30am. Main Roads WA has closed a stretch of road in the town on Albany Highway between Blackwood and Pensioner roads. Two DFES crews went to the site with utilities services also on scene trying to fix the burst. According to DFES spokesperson, the water main burst near a reportedly decommissioned underground fuel tank. While the tank was shown to be empty through the use of a dipstick, concerns of residue mixing with the water remained. It is understood local government officials have been contacted and are testing the water for contamination. About 11.30am, crews reported the smell and visuals of fuel had significantly reduced. Albany Highway is the main route between Perth and Albany and the closure comes as scores of families are expected to travel between the two for the WA Day long weekend.
