Latest news with #WesternAustralians
West Australian
an hour ago
- Climate
- West Australian
WA Day: Rain can't dampen the fun as families flock to Fremantle for public holiday festivities
Western Australians have enjoyed a public holiday celebrating WA Day with a number of festivals across the State. Hundreds of Perth residents flocked to Fremantle to enjoy the WA Day festival. Families got to enjoy the festivities including a performance by the Wadumbah Dance Group showing the long Indigenous history of the State. Festival goers could also enjoy a variety of other cultural performances and food stalls throughout the day at Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour and Bathers Beach. While spirits were high, the weather proved to have different plans. A morning of clear skies were eventually overrun by grey clouds and rain as the first storm front of the season rolled through into Perth. Events were also held across the regions with Kalgoorlie, Albany, Geraldton and Carnarvon all holding their own festivals. Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti said the day was a great chance to celebrate the State. 'WA Day is a day to celebrate what a great state we have, proud Western Australians,' she said. 'We have an incredible day, we're expecting rain, maybe that's coming this afternoon but it's a day that we celebrate all the great things about our State. 'Western Australians have always been very parochial, we we love our state, we love living in WA and we want to continue to make sure we can grow jobs and opportunities and make sure everyone gets to participate in this great state.' The Fremantle event comes a year after organisers were forced to cancel the Burswood Park event due to poor weather, instead holding a belated festival in November.
Perth Now
an hour ago
- Climate
- Perth Now
Perth families brave the wild weather to celebrate WA Day
Western Australians have enjoyed a public holiday celebrating WA Day with a number of festivals across the State. Hundreds of Perth residents flocked to Fremantle to enjoy the WA Day festival. Families got to enjoy the festivities including a performance by the Wadumbah Dance Group showing the long Indigenous history of the State. Festival goers could also enjoy a variety of other cultural performances and food stalls throughout the day at Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour and Bathers Beach. While spirits were high, the weather proved to have different plans. A morning of clear skies were eventually overrun by grey clouds and rain as the first storm front of the season rolled through into Perth. Milah and Zara enjoy themselves at Bathers Beach. Credit: Michael Wilson / The West Australian Events were also held across the regions with Kalgoorlie, Albany, Geraldton and Carnarvon all holding their own festivals. Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti said the day was a great chance to celebrate the State. 'WA Day is a day to celebrate what a great state we have, proud Western Australians,' she said. A performance by the Wadumbah Dance Group. Credit: Michael Wilson / The West Australian 'We have an incredible day, we're expecting rain, maybe that's coming this afternoon but it's a day that we celebrate all the great things about our State. 'Western Australians have always been very parochial, we we love our state, we love living in WA and we want to continue to make sure we can grow jobs and opportunities and make sure everyone gets to participate in this great state.' The Fremantle event comes a year after organisers were forced to cancel the Burswood Park event due to poor weather, instead holding a belated festival in November. The Mermaid Aquarium show at Bathers Beach. Credit: Michael Wilson / The West Australian
West Australian
3 days ago
- Politics
- West Australian
Ombudsman Western Australia appointed following high-profile resignation
Former Legal Aid WA general manager Bevan Warner has been appointed to the role of Ombudsman WA. The role has not been permanently filled since former Ombudsman Chris Field went on leave in May, 2024 and resigned in October after a damning report by the Corruption and Crime Commission. Mr Warner began his career in the WA public sector before becoming general manager of Legal Aid WA. In 2008 he moved to Melbourne to be managing director of Victoria Legal Aid for 10 years. More recently, Mr Warner was chief executive officer of community housing and homelessness charity Launch Housing since 2018, resigning in May to return home to Western Australia. He is appointed on a five-year term, beginning from June 9. Mr Warner will replace acting Ombudsman David Robinson who will return to his regular role of deputy Ombudsman. Premier Roger Cook said Mr Warner was a good fit for the role. 'Mr Warner is an outstanding appointment as Western Australia's Ombudsman. He brings to this independent office a deep understanding of law and justice services and a lifelong commitment to fairness and equity,' he said. 'Mr Warner has championed the rights of vulnerable and disadvantaged citizens and upheld the highest standards of integrity and accountability. 'With his experience in leading and reforming large statutorily independent organisations, I am confident the office of the Ombudsman is well placed to meet the needs and interests of Western Australians into the future.' The Ombudsman is responsible for investigating complaints about State Government agencies and reviewing child and domestic violence deaths along with other responsibilities. Mr Warner's appointment comes after former Ombudsman of 17 years Mr Field resigned from the role shortly after he was the subject of a damning report by the Corruption and Crime Commission in October. The report found Mr Field had engaged in 'serious misconduct' by unilaterally deciding whether he required to travel overseas or not, billing taxpayers $172,000 for travel in one year.
West Australian
3 days ago
- Climate
- West Australian
Households warned to prepare as severe weather predicted for WA Day weekend
Emergency Services Minister Paul Papalia has warned 'winter is coming' as he urged households to prepare for Perth's first major storm of the season due to hit on WA Day. Authorities are asking residents to prepare their homes to reduce the likelihood of storm related damage as flocks of families travel to the regions to celebrate the long weekend. Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Gianni Colangelo said the wild weather was set to begin on WA Day on Monday. Up to 25mm of rain is forecast on Monday, while up to 60mm is predicted over the following two days. 'We're able to identify the first large cold front of the season is upon us, set to arrive on Monday at the end of the long weekend coming,' Mr Colangelo said. 'It's cold fronts like these and others throughout the season that often deliver areas of severe weather. 'Severe weather that we see every winter season, damaging gale force winds, sometimes destructive, heavy rainfall, flash flooding, abnormally high tides and damaging surf.' Mr Papalia said it was up to West Australians to prepare themselves for the weather ahead. 'Winter is coming, that's the message we're delivering today to all Western Australians, particularly here in the southwest,' he said. 'The stormy winter weather is about upon us and it's time that we all took time to prepare ourselves, prepare your homes, do what you can to make the job of our State Emergency Service and other volunteers a lot easier.' DFES responded to more than 1000 calls for assistance between June and October last year, the majority of calls related to roof and structural damage, fallen trees and water ingress in homes. According to the emergency service, crews spent an average of 3.5 hours at properties for damage which could have likely been prevented. To prevent unnecessary damage residents should clean gutters and downpipes, remove overhanging branches as well as secure trampolines, furniture and bins which could become airborne in strong winds. DFES deputy commissioner Craig Waters said it was easy to be complacent after an especially long summer. 'We're just asking the community not to be complacent and to ensure that they're well prepared that both their property and their family are prepared for the coming storm season,' he said. 'People can often get caught off guard in relation to the change of seasons and we often see the most destructive weather coming in those first couple of cold fronts as part of the winter months.' Residents are reminded to stay up to date with the latest warnings using the Emergency WA website and app. In the case of serious damage to your home which is urgent, you should call the SES on 132 500 or call triple zero (000) in the case of a life-threatening emergency. SATURDAY: 22C, showers and chance of storms SUNDAY: 22C, showers MONDAY: 22C, showers and chance of storms TUESDAY: 20C, showers and chance of storms WEDNESDAY: 20C, high chance of showers
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Climate
- Perth Now
West Aussies warned of wild weather as major storm rolls in
Emergency Services Minister Paul Papalia has warned 'winter is coming' as he urged households to prepare for Perth's first major storm of the season due to hit on WA Day. Authorities are asking residents to prepare their homes to reduce the likelihood of storm related damage as flocks of families travel to the regions to celebrate the long weekend. Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Gianni Colangelo said the wild weather was set to begin on WA Day on Monday. Up to 25mm of rain is forecast on Monday, while up to 60mm is predicted over the following two days. 'We're able to identify the first large cold front of the season is upon us, set to arrive on Monday at the end of the long weekend coming,' Mr Colangelo said. 'It's cold fronts like these and others throughout the season that often deliver areas of severe weather. 'Severe weather that we see every winter season, damaging gale force winds, sometimes destructive, heavy rainfall, flash flooding, abnormally high tides and damaging surf.' Mr Papalia said it was up to West Australians to prepare themselves for the weather ahead. Emergency Services Minister Paul Papalia said it was easy to be complacent after a long summer. Credit: Oliver Lane 'Winter is coming, that's the message we're delivering today to all Western Australians, particularly here in the southwest,' he said. 'The stormy winter weather is about upon us and it's time that we all took time to prepare ourselves, prepare your homes, do what you can to make the job of our State Emergency Service and other volunteers a lot easier.' DFES responded to more than 1000 calls for assistance between June and October last year, the majority of calls related to roof and structural damage, fallen trees and water ingress in homes. According to the emergency service, crews spent an average of 3.5 hours at properties for damage which could have likely been prevented. To prevent unnecessary damage residents should clean gutters and downpipes, remove overhanging branches as well as secure trampolines, furniture and bins which could become airborne in strong winds. DFES deputy commissioner Craig Waters said SES services spent an average of around 3.5 hours at callouts. Credit: Oliver Lane DFES deputy commissioner Craig Waters said it was easy to be complacent after an especially long summer. 'We're just asking the community not to be complacent and to ensure that they're well prepared that both their property and their family are prepared for the coming storm season,' he said. 'People can often get caught off guard in relation to the change of seasons and we often see the most destructive weather coming in those first couple of cold fronts as part of the winter months.' Residents are reminded to stay up to date with the latest warnings using the Emergency WA website and app. In the case of serious damage to your home which is urgent, you should call the SES on 132 500 or call triple zero (000) in the case of a life-threatening emergency. SATURDAY: 22C, showers and chance of storms SUNDAY: 22C, showers MONDAY: 22C, showers and chance of storms TUESDAY: 20C, showers and chance of storms WEDNESDAY: 20C, high chance of showers
