Latest news with #WestAussie
West Australian
2 days 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
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Classic foods that are true West Australian tucker
Want to get a taste of real West Aussie tucker? Seek out these dishes. Where is the best lobster in the world? Right off our coast of course. If you feel like getting stuck into this WA delicacy on WA Day, you could do worse than take a day trip to Cervantes to dine at The Lobster Shack which serves this delicious crustacean while looking out at the glorious Indian Ocean from which it came. Ahh, it's good to be a sandgroper. A conti roll from Lo Presti and Son. Credit: Supplied / Supplied The Italian-Australian sandwich we lay claim to as our own is the ultimate lunchtime hero in this part of the world. There are many places slinging excellent contis, but our favourites include The Re Store in Northbridge and Leederville, Montello On Main in Osborne Park and Lo Presti & Son in East Freo. Masters spearmint Milk. Credit: Supplied Masters created this bright-green spearmint flavoured dairy concoction and for some reason, us weirdos on the West Coast can't get enough of it. Does it taste like toothpaste in milk? Yes. But will we defend it to the death filled with a misplaced sense of patriotism? Also yes. Kirks Kole Beer. Credit: Supplied Despite the name, there is no actual beer in this drink that tastes a little bit like Coke but is definitely not Coke. How to describe the taste? Hmm. Like late summer, cricket on the telly, aircon's conked it, skin flaky with salt water and sunscreen, grabbing a Kole Beer from the back of the garage fridge 'cos mum said you can have a fizzy drink while she searches for the old fan in the back shed. It tastes a bit like that. Geraldton wax. Credit: Leyanne Baillie / The West Australian This West Aussie flower has a delicious lime-like flavour and is a great example of the many local flavours that are yet to become commonplace in our kitchens. You can buy dried Geraldton Wax for cooking from or or keep an eye out for it on menus at restaurants like Old Young's Kitchen, Wildflower or Hearth Restaurant.
Perth Now
5 days ago
- Business
- Perth Now
WA player wins big as Powerball jackpots to eye popping sum
The Powerball jackpot has rocketed to an eye popping $50 million after no players were able to lay claim to Thursday night's $30m prize. The winning numbers for draw #1515 were 21, 35, 26, 23, 15, 10, 7 and the Powerball number was 18. However, four lucky ticketholders —including one West Aussie — managed to score big with division two prizes of $120,876.45 each. With no winner in Thursday's draw, the Powerball jackpot prize will now soar to a staggering $50m for the June 5 draw. This comes just days after the Oz Lotto's $50m prize also failed to go off. Next Tuesday's prise has jumped to $70m. That means two whopping jackpots — totalling $120m — will be up for grabs next week. Previously, an Aussie man bagged the $30m Powerball jackpot on 9 May as the sole division one winner. The NSW man from Cessnock, was ecstatic at the news of his win, and said 'there would no more worrying about bills now'. 'For a start, I'll look at buying a new house and looking after the family. Then, I'll take it from there,' he said. 'I'm going to ring my kids right now and tell them the news!'
West Australian
19-05-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Saturday Lotto: WA's heritage game receiving $1 million prize pool boost in 45-year celebration
To celebrate the 45-year run of Saturday Lotto, players have the chance to strike gold with an extra $1 million in prize money for the weekend draw. The division one prize pool will increase from an estimated $5 million to an estimated $6 million, beginning with the first draw this Saturday, May 24. Lotterywest spokesperson James Mooney said the introduction of Saturday Lotto was an exciting time for the State back in 1979. 'Prior to 1979, Lotto games ran like raffles, so when Saturday Lotto came along, it was incredibly exciting for WA players,' he said. 'The first Saturday Lotto draw offered West Aussie's the chance to win a $35,000 division one prize. 'At this time Perth's median house price was around $25,000, so $35,000 was a life-changing offering for WA players.' What they didn't anticipate at the time was just how popular Saturday Lotto would become in Western Australia, with three times the predicted 45,000 tickets sold for the first draw and retailers were selling out of tickets just hours after opening their doors. The big initial draw for Saturdays, which was State-based at the time, saw two tickets from WA match the winning six numbers, splitting the division one $35,000 prize between a pair of lucky punters. Margaret Hambley, owner of EE Hambley in Queens Park, said the store that's been in her family for 78 years has sold Lotto tickets longer then she has worked there. 'I'll always remember (in 1979) spending Fridays filling the old Hugan terminals with tickets and delivering it to Lotterywest HQ each week,' she said. 'There were plenty of Saturday Lotto Tickets in there each time and it is still much loved among players today. 'Saturday Lotto is the go-to game for most of my regular players, they always favour it over other games. 'Saturday Lotto creates the most division one winners in WA each year and has been around so long that it has a special place in people's heart.' Since its inception, Saturday Lotto has delivered the most division one wins in WA every year, as well as helping raise nearly $1 billion over the past decade through its grants program for the WA community.
Perth Now
19-05-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Saturday Lotto receiving $1 million prize boost
To celebrate the 45-year run of Saturday Lotto, players have the chance to strike gold with an extra $1 million in prize money for the weekend draw. The division one prize pool will increase from an estimated $5 million to an estimated $6 million, beginning with the first draw this Saturday, May 24. Lotterywest spokesperson James Mooney said the introduction of Saturday Lotto was an exciting time for the State back in 1979. 'Prior to 1979, Lotto games ran like raffles, so when Saturday Lotto came along, it was incredibly exciting for WA players,' he said. 'The first Saturday Lotto draw offered West Aussie's the chance to win a $35,000 division one prize. 'At this time Perth's median house price was around $25,000, so $35,000 was a life-changing offering for WA players.' What they didn't anticipate at the time was just how popular Saturday Lotto would become in Western Australia, with three times the predicted 45,000 tickets sold for the first draw and retailers were selling out of tickets just hours after opening their doors. The big initial draw for Saturdays, which was State-based at the time, saw two tickets from WA match the winning six numbers, splitting the division one $35,000 prize between a pair of lucky punters. Margaret Hambley, owner of EE Hambley in Queens Park, said the store that's been in her family for 78 years has sold Lotto tickets longer then she has worked there. 'I'll always remember (in 1979) spending Fridays filling the old Hugan terminals with tickets and delivering it to Lotterywest HQ each week,' she said. 'There were plenty of Saturday Lotto Tickets in there each time and it is still much loved among players today. Vintage photos from EE Hambley back when Saturday Lotto first began. Credit: Lotterywest 'Saturday Lotto is the go-to game for most of my regular players, they always favour it over other games. 'Saturday Lotto creates the most division one winners in WA each year and has been around so long that it has a special place in people's heart.' Since its inception, Saturday Lotto has delivered the most division one wins in WA every year, as well as helping raise nearly $1 billion over the past decade through its grants program for the WA community.
