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Image 1
Orson at peak intensity on 22 April
Severe Tropical Cyclone Orson was the fourth most intense
cyclone ever recorded in the
Australian region. Forming out of a
tropical low on 17 April 1989, Orson gradually intensified as it tracked towards the west. After attaining Category 5 intensity on 20 April, the storm began to track southward and accelerated. The following day, the cyclone reached its peak intensity with winds of 250 km/h (160 mph) (10-minute sustained) and a
barometric pressure of 904 hPa (mbar). Orson maintained this intensity for nearly two days before making
landfall near
Dampier. The cyclone rapidly weakened after landfall as it accelerated to the southeast. After moving into the
Great Australian Bight on 24 April, the storm dissipated.
Despite Orson's extreme intensity, damage was relatively minimal as it struck a sparsely populated region of
Western Australia. Five people were killed offshore and damages amounted to
A$20 million (US$16.8 million). The storm damaged a new gas platform, delaying the project for nearly two weeks. The most severe impacts took place in
Pannawonica, where 70 homes were damaged. Following the storm, cleanup costs reached A$5 million (US$4.1 million). Due to the severity of the storm, the name Orson was
retired after the season. (Full article...)
The red-winged fairywren (Malurus elegans) is a species of
passerine bird in the
Australasian wren family, Maluridae. It is non-migratory and
endemic to the southwestern corner of
Western Australia. Exhibiting a high degree of
sexual dimorphism, the male adopts a brilliantly coloured
breeding plumage, with an iridescent silvery-blue crown, ear coverts and upper back, red shoulders, contrasting with a black throat, grey-brown tail and wings and pale underparts. Non-breeding males, females and juveniles have predominantly grey-brown plumage, though males may bear isolated blue and black feathers. No separate
subspecies are recognised. Similar in appearance and closely related to the
variegated fairywren and the
blue-breasted fairywren, it is regarded as a separate species as no intermediate forms have been recorded where their ranges overlap. Though the red-winged fairywren is locally common, there is evidence of a decline in numbers.
Bearing a narrow pointed
billadapted for probing and catching insects, the red-winged fairywren is primarily
insectivorous; it forages and lives in the shelter of scrubby vegetation in temperate wetter forests dominated by
karri trees, remaining close to cover to avoid predators. Like other fairywrens, it is a cooperative breeding species, with small groups of birds maintaining and defending small
territories year-round. Groups consist of a socially
monogamous pair with several
helper birds who assist in raising the young. There is a higher proportion of female helpers recorded for this species than for other species of fairywren. A variety of
vocalisations and visual displays have been recorded for communication and courtship in this species. Singing is used to advertise territory, and birds can distinguish other individuals by song alone. Male wrens pluck yellow petals and display them to females as part of a courtship display. (Full article...)
Image 3
One of the anti-aircraft guns assigned to the defence of Fremantle in November 1943
One of the anti-aircraft guns assigned to the defence of Fremantle in November 1943
During March 1944, the
Allies of World War II rapidly reinforced the military units located in the state of
Western Australia to defend against the possibility that
Japanese warships would attack the cities of
Fremantle and
Perth. This redeployment began on 8 March after concerns were raised about the purpose of Japanese warship movements near the
Dutch East Indies, and ended on 20 March, after it was concluded that an attack was unlikely.
In February 1944, the Allies became alarmed that the movement of the main Japanese fleet to
Singapore could be a precursor to raids in the
Indian Ocean, including against Western Australia. The emergency began when Allied code breakers detected the movement of a powerful force of Japanese warships in the Netherlands East Indies in early March. After a
United States Navy submarine made
radar contact with two Japanese warships near one of the entrances to the Indian Ocean on 6 March, the Allied military authorities and Australian Government judged that a fleet may have been heading towards the Perth area. In reality, these warships were undertaking a patrol while awaiting a small raiding force to return from attacking ships in the central Indian Ocean. (Full article...)
Image 4
Banksia cuneata, commonly known as matchstick banksia or Quairading banksia, is an
endangered species of
flowering plant in the family
Proteaceae. Endemic to
southwestWestern Australia, it belongs to
Banksia subg. Isostylis, a sub-genus of three closely related Banksia species with
inflorescences or flower clusters that are dome-shaped heads rather than characteristic Banksia flower spikes. A shrub or small tree up to 5 m (16 ft) high, it has prickly foliage and pink and cream flowers. The common name Matchstick Banksia arises from the blooms in late bud, the individual buds of which resemble matchsticks. The species is
pollinated by
honeyeaters (Meliphagidae).
Although B. cuneata was first collected before 1880, it was not until 1981 that Australian botanist
Alex George formally described and named the species. There are two genetically distinct population groups, but no recognised varieties. This Banksia is classified as endangered, surviving in fragments of remnant bushland in a region which has been 93% cleared for agriculture. As Banksia cuneata is killed by fire and regenerates from seed, it is highly sensitive to bushfire frequency—fires recurring within four years could wipe out populations of plants not yet mature enough to set seed. Banksia cuneata is rarely cultivated, and its prickly foliage limits its utility in the cut flower industry. (Full article...)
In nature, B. sceptrum grows in deep yellow or pale red sand in tall
shrubland, commonly on
dunes, being found as a shrub to 5 metres (16 ft) high, though often smaller in exposed areas. It is killed by
fire and regenerates by
seed, the woody
follicles opening with fire. B. sceptrum is one of the most striking yellow-flowered
banksias of all. Its tall bright yellow spikes, known as
inflorescences, are terminal and well displayed. Flowering is in summer, mainly December and January, though flowers are occasionally seen at other times. (Full article...)
Image 6
Inflorescence
Banksia epica is a
shrub that grows on the south coast of
Western Australia. A spreading bush with wedge-shaped serrated leaves and large creamy-yellow flower spikes, it grows up to 3½ metres (11½ ft) high. It is known only from two isolated populations in the remote southeast of the
state, near the western edge of the
Great Australian Bight. Both populations occur among coastal
heath on
cliff-top dunes of
siliceous sand.
One of the most recently described Banksia species, it was probably seen by
Edward John Eyre in 1841, but was not collected until 1973, and was only recognised as a distinct
species in 1988. There has been very little research on the species since then, so knowledge of its ecology and cultivation potential is limited. It is placed in
Banksia ser. Cyrtostylis, alongside its close relative, the well-known and widely cultivated B. media (southern plains banksia). (Full article...)
Banksia violacea, commonly known as violet banksia, is a species of
shrub or tree in the plant genus Banksia (family
Proteaceae). It generally grows as a small shrub to 1.5 m (5 ft) high with fine narrow leaves, and is best known for its unusually coloured dark purple-violet
inflorescences. The colour of the inflorescences, short leaves, and flattened follicles which are sticky when young, help identify this species from others in the field. It is found in low
shrubland in southern regions of
Western Australia from
Esperance in the east to
Narrogin in the west, growing exclusively in sandy soils.
First described in 1927 by the West Australian botanist
Charles Gardner, the species was at one stage considered a
variety of B. sphaerocarpa. Although there are no recognised subspecies or varieties, both
lignotuberous and nonlignotuberous forms exist for Banksia violacea. Wasps, ants and flies have been recorded visiting flower spikes. Banksia violacea is classified as Not Threatened under the
Wildlife Conservation Act of Western Australia. Regarded as of little value to
floriculture, it is rarely cultivated. (Full article...)
Image 8
Banksia verticillata, commonly known as granite banksia or Albany banksia, is a species of
shrub or (rarely) tree of the genus Banksia in the family
Proteaceae. It is native to the
southwest of
Western Australia and can reach up to 3 m (10 ft) in height. It can grow taller to 5 m (16 ft) in sheltered areas, and much smaller in more exposed areas. This species has elliptic green leaves and large, bright golden yellow
inflorescences or flower spikes, appearing in summer and autumn. The
New Holland honeyeater (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae) is the most prominent
pollinator, although several other species of
honeyeater, as well as bees, visit the flower spikes.
A declared vulnerable species, it occurs in two
disjunct populations on
granite outcrops along the south coast of
Western Australia, with the main population near
Albany and a smaller population near
Walpole, and is threatened by dieback (Phytophthora cinnamomi) and aerial canker (Zythiostroma). B. verticillata is killed by bushfire and new plants regenerate from seed afterwards. Populations take over a decade to produce seed and fire intervals of greater than twenty years are needed to allow the
canopy seed bank to accumulate. (Full article...)
Banksia grossa is a species of
shrub in the
familyProteaceae and is
endemic to
Southwest Australia. It is one of fourteen species of
banksia of the series Abietinae, all of which bear predominantly cylindrical or oval
inflorescences. Collected in 1965, it was first formally described in 1981 by
Alex George. Its thick leaves and large seeds distinguish it from other members of the Abietinae, and are the basis of its species name.
Found in sand or sand over
laterite among
heath between
Eneabba and
Badgingarra in Western Australia, the species grows as a many-stemmed shrub to 1 m (3.3 ft) high with narrow leaves and oval brownish flower spikes up to 10 cm (4 in) high, composed of hundreds of individual flowers. Flowering occurs throughout the cooler months of March to September. Flower spikes develop woody
follicles which bear the seeds. After
bushfire, Banksia grossa regenerates from its woody
lignotuber; bushfires also stimulate the release of seeds, which germinate after disturbance. Visitors to (and likely
pollinators of) inflorescences include insects and a nocturnal mammal, the
white-tailed dunnart. (Full article...)
Image 10
Map of the south-west of Western Australia, with Great Eastern Highway highlighted in red
Great Eastern Highway is a 590-kilometre-long (370 mi) road that links the
Western Australian capital of
Perth with the city of
Kalgoorlie. A key route for road vehicles accessing the eastern
Wheatbelt and the
Goldfields, it is the western portion of the main road link between Perth and the
eastern states of Australia. The highway forms the majority of
National Highway 94, although the alignment through the Perth suburbs of Guildford and Midland, and the eastern section between
Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie are not included. Various segments form parts of other
road routes, including
National Route 1, Alternative National Route 94, and State Route 51.
Banksia scabrella, commonly known as the Burma Road banksia, is a
species of woody shrub in the genus Banksia. It is classified in the series Abietinae, a group of several species of shrubs with small round or oval
inflorescences. It occurs in a number of isolated populations south of
Geraldton, Western Australia, with the largest population being south and east of
Mount Adams. Found on sandy soils in heathland or shrubland, it grows to 2 m (7 ft) high and 3 m (10 ft) across with fine needle-like leaves. Appearing in spring and summer, the inflorescences are round to oval in shape and tan to cream with purple styles. Banksia scabrella is killed by fire and regenerates by seed.
Originally collected in 1966, B. scabrella was one of several species previously considered to be forms of Banksia sphaerocarpa, before it was finally described by banksia expert
Alex George in his 1981 revision of the genus. Like many members of the Abietinae, it is rarely seen in cultivation; however, it has been described as having
horticultural potential. (Full article...)
Banksia sessilis, commonly known as parrot bush, is a
species of
shrub or
tree in the
plantgenusBanksia of the family
Proteaceae. It had been known as Dryandra sessilis until 2007, when the genus Dryandra was sunk into Banksia. The
Noongar peoples know the plant as budjan or butyak. Widespread throughout
southwestWestern Australia, it is found on sandy soils over
laterite or
limestone, often as an
understorey plant in open forest, woodland or shrubland. Encountered as a shrub or small tree up to 6 m (20 ft) in height, it has prickly dark green leaves and dome-shaped cream-yellow
flowerheads. Flowering from winter through to late spring, it provides a key source of food—both the nectar and the insects it attracts—for
honeyeaters in the cooler months, and
species diversity is reduced in areas where there is little or no parrot bush occurring. Several species of honeyeater, some species of native bee, and the
European honey bee seek out and consume the nectar, while the
long-billed black cockatoo and
Australian ringneck eat the seed. The life cycle of Banksia sessilis is adapted to regular bushfires. Killed by fire and regenerating by seed afterwards, each shrub generally produces many flowerheads and a massive amount of seed. It can recolonise disturbed areas, and may grow in thickets.
Banksia sessilis has a somewhat complicated
taxonomic history. It was collected from
King George Sound in 1801 and described by
Robert Brown in 1810 as Dryandra floribunda, a name by which it was known for many years. However,
Joseph Knight had published the name Josephia sessilis in 1809, which had precedence due to its earlier date, and the specific name was formalised in 1924. Four
varieties are recognised. It is a prickly plant with little apparent
horticultural potential; none of the varieties are commonly seen in cultivation. A profuse producer of nectar, B. sessilis is valuable to the
beekeeping industry. (Full article...)
After the war, Hancock became the inaugural commandant of
RAAF College. His subsequent positions included
Deputy Chief of the Air Staff from 1951 to 1953, Air Member for Personnel from 1953 to 1955, and
Air Officer Commanding (AOC)
No. 224 Group RAF in
Malaya, responsible for all
Commonwealth air forces in the region, from 1957 to 1959. Appointed a
Companion of the Order of the Bath in 1958, he served as AOC
RAAF Operational Command from 1959 to 1961, before being promoted to air marshal and commencing his term as Chief of the Air Staff. He was
knighted in 1962. In his role as the Air Force's senior officer, Hancock initiated redevelopment of
RAAF Base Learmonth in north
Western Australia, as part of a chain of
forward airfields for the defence of the continent. He also evaluated potential replacements for the RAAF's
English Electric Canberra bomber, finding the American "TFX" (later the
General Dynamics F-111) to be the most suitable for Australia's needs, though he did not recommend its immediate purchase due to its early stage of development. After retiring from the military in May 1965, Hancock co-founded the Australia Defence Association. He died in 1998, aged 91. (Full article...)
Banksia attenuata, commonly known as the candlestick banksia, slender banksia, or biara to the
Noongar people, is a species of plant in the family
Proteaceae. Commonly a tree, it reaches 10 m (33 ft) high, but it is often a shrub in drier areas 0.4 to 2 m (1.3 to 6.6 ft) high. It has long, narrow, serrated leaves and bright yellow
inflorescences, or flower spikes, held above the foliage, which appear in spring and summer. The flower spikes age to grey and swell with the development of the woody
follicles. The candlestick banksia is found across much of the
southwest of
Western Australia, from north of
Kalbarri National Park down to
Cape Leeuwin and across to
Fitzgerald River National Park.
English botanist
John Lindley had named material collected by Australian botanist
James DrummondBanksia cylindrostachya in 1840, but this proved to be the same as the species named Banksia attenuata by Scottish botanist
Robert Brown 30 years earlier in 1810, and thus Brown's name took precedence. Within the genus Banksia, the close relationships and exact position of B. attenuata is unclear. (Full article...)
Photo credit:
Gnangarra St Barthelomew's Church in the remaining area of
East Perth Cemeteries, originally built as mortuary chapel in 1848. In 1870 it was converted into a church by
Richard Roach Jewell and extended in 1900 to include a nave and sanctuary.
The station first opened in 1896 on the
Perth to Midland railway with two
side platforms and an adjacent goods yard. It served as the junction station for the
Belmont spur line between 1896 and 1956. Bayswater station was rebuilt as an
island platform just to the north in the late 1960s when the Midland line was converted from
narrow gauge to
dual gauge; the standard gauge trains were unable to fit between the side platforms. Around that time, the goods yard closed. (Full article...)
Image 2
Thornlie line at Thornlie station viewed from the Spencer Road bridge, January 2021
The Thornlie line is a temporarily closed
suburban railway line and service in
Perth, Western Australia, operated by the
Public Transport Authority as part of the
Transperth system. The Thornlie line is a branch of the
Armadale line which opened on 7 August 2005 and runs for 2.9 kilometres (1.8 mi) parallel to the
Kwinana freight railway between the Armadale line at
Kenwick and
Thornlie station. Thornlie line services continued north of Kenwick along the Armadale line to
Perth station, stopping at most stations, in contrast to Armadale line services, which skipped most stations along that section. The Thornlie line been suspended since 20 November 2023 due to construction work; it is planned to reopen in mid-2025.
The Thornlie line originated from initial plans for the
Mandurah line, which was to branch off the Armadale line and run along the Kwinana freight railway. The Mandurah line's planned route changed in 2001, but not before tunnels were built for the line to exit the Armadale line at Kenwick and enter the
Kwinana Freeway. It was decided to build the Thornlie line instead as a one station branch of the Armadale line. The main construction contract was awarded to
Barclay Mowlem in 2004 and the Thornlie line opened on 7 August 2005. (Full article...)
Image 3
Map of the south-west of Western Australia, with Albany Highway highlighted in red
Prior to European settlement, the indigenous
Noongar people had a considerable network of tracks, including a
trade route between the areas now known as Perth and Albany. Construction of a road between Perth and Albany began soon after the naming of Albany in 1832, but progress was slow, with only 16 miles (26 km) completed by 1833. A monthly mail route which operated in the 1840s had such trouble with the journey that a new contractor was required each year, and from 1847 the mail route detoured via
Bunbury. The introduction of convicts in 1850, and thus convict labour, allowed a road along the direct route to be fully constructed by 1863. (Full article...)
The construction of the
East–West Telegraph line in the 1870s, along Eyre's route, resulted in a hazardous
trail that could be followed for interstate travel. A national highway was called for, with the
federal government seeing the route's importance in 1941, when a
war in the Pacific seemed imminent. The highway was constructed between July 1941 and June 1942, and was trafficable by January 1942. It was originally named Forrest Highway, after
John Forrest, by the
war cabinet. It was officially named Eyre Highway, a name agreed upon by the states' nomenclature committees. (Full article...)
Image 5
Redcliffe Station, Western Australia, on opening day, October 2022 02.jpg
The contract for the Forrestfield–Airport Link, which consists of 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) of twin bored tunnels and three new stations, was awarded to
Salini Impregilo and
NRW Pty Ltd in April 2016. Forward works, which included the permanent closure of Brearley Avenue between
Great Eastern Highway and Dunreath Drive, began in 2016. Construction began in mid-2017, and by June 2018, excavation was complete. The two
tunnel boring machines (TBMs) reached the station in mid-2019, having tunnelled from
High Wycombe, and left tunnelling towards
Bayswater after several weeks of maintenance. Construction of the station infrastructure followed. (Full article...)
In the
1904 state election, Labor won 22 of the Legislative Assembly's 50 seats, making it the party with the most seats. On 8 July 1904, the Labor Party caucus elected Daglish as the party's leader, and on 10 August, he successfully moved a
motion of no confidence in the government of
Walter James, who resigned as premier.
GovernorFrederick Bedford then swore in Daglish as premier of Western Australia,
colonial treasurer and
minister for education. His keynote speech on 23 August was poorly received; militant Labor supporters saw him as giving up on Labor policies. In parliament, Daglish struggled to achieve anything due to a hostile
Legislative Council; his one major success was the passing of a new Public Service Act. In June 1905, a cabinet reshuffle decreased Daglish's popularity within the Labor Party but he defeated a motion of no confidence at a caucus meeting later that month. Daglish resigned as premier on 22 August 1905 when his plan to buy the
Midland Railway Company for
£1.5 million (equivalent to
AU$126,500,000 in 2022) failed to pass through parliament.
Hector Rason succeeded him as premier on 25 August. (Full article...)
Image 7
Aerial view of Fremantle Prison (1935) The architecture of Fremantle Prison includes the six-hectare (15-acre) site of the former prison on The Terrace,
Fremantle, in
Western Australia. Limestone was quarried on-site during construction, and the south-western corner (the South Knoll) and eastern portion of the site are at a considerably higher ground level. The
Fremantle Prison site includes the prison cell blocks, gatehouse, perimeter walls, cottages, tunnels, and related infrastructure.
The Main Cell Block is the longest and tallest cell range in Australia, and a dominating feature of the prison. New Division, constructed between 1904 and 1907, continues the façade alignment of the main block. Service buildings were converted into the separate Women's Prison. Fremantle Prison is surrounded by limestone perimeter walls, while a two-storey limestone gatehouse, with a central clock, presents an imposing entrance. North and south of the gatehouse, on The Terrace, are several cottages and houses – three of which are built in Victorian style in contrast to the Georgian style of the others. (Full article...)
Image 8
"Showdown" is the fourth
single and first track from the album In Silico by Australian
electronic rock band
Pendulum. It has been remixed by several artists, including DJ Clipz (who is also
Red Light) and
Excision. It is also the first single taken from In Silico not to use the album logo prominently on its cover.
The single was originally released through various
online music stores on 5 January 2009. It was not available in any physical format until 9 February, when
Warner Music UK released the
12-inchpicture disc of "Showdown". To help promote the single, Pendulum also released a Space Invaders themed video game which offered players a chance of winning an official framed
gold disc of In Silico. (Full article...)
Built in a
modernist style, the building has been the subject of vigorous public debate about its heritage value. Some parties, such as the
Royal Australian Institute of Architects, consider the building to be an important example of modernist architecture in the city, whilst others consider it ugly. These conflicting views led to animosity in the 1990s, when the
State Government refused to
heritage list the property, and instead recommended its demolition. Despite this, the City of Perth opted to renovate the tower and keep it as its headquarters. Following this, the building was admitted to the State's Heritage Register. (Full article...)
Image 10
Stubbs Terrace
Daglish is a small
western suburb of
Perth, the capital of
Western Australia. It is approximately 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) west of the Perth central business district, and within the
City of Subiaco local government area. It was named after
Henry Daglish, who was the
mayor of Subiaco, member for the
electoral district of Subiaco and
premier of Western Australia from 1904 to 1905. The
Daglish railway station opened in 1924 in response to population growth in the neighbouring suburb of
Subiaco. The following year, the Municipality of Subiaco bought the land west of the railway station to sell for housing. Development occurred over the following 20 years. The initial development next to the railway station used the
garden suburb principles, with large lots and gardens, curved streets, and lots of green space. Today, the suburb has significant heritage value due to its uniform streetscape, with most original homes still standing. It has a population of 1,419 as of the
2016 Australian census. (Full article...)
Image 11
Eucalyptus wandoo, commonly known as wandoo, dooto, warrnt or wornt and sometimes as white gum, is a small to medium-sized tree that is
endemic to the southwest of Western Australia. It has smooth bark, lance-shaped adult leaves, flower buds in groups of nine to seventeen, white flowers and conical to cylindrical fruit. It is one of a number of similar Eucalyptus species known as wandoo.
Born in
Fremantle, Western Australia, Edwards joined the
Royal Australian Air Force in 1935, and a year later was granted a short service commission with the RAF. Serving throughout the Second World War, he gained a permanent commission and continued his career in the RAF after the war; he retired in 1963 with the rank of air commodore. Returning to Australia, he was appointed Governor of Western Australia in 1974. (Full article...)
Image 13
Benjamin John Small (born 11 June 1988) is an Australian politician. He was selected to serve as a
senator for
Western Australia, representing the
Liberal Party, to fill a casual vacancy following
Mathias Cormann's resignation. His first term lasted from November 2020 until his April 2022 resignation, and he resumed his term in May after being nominated to replace himself. Small was unsuccessful in his re-election bid in the
2022 federal election and his term as senator concluded on 30 June 2022.
Small studied nautical science, marine operations, and business management. He worked in marine transport and logistics for several energy and resource companies, with his holdings in those criticised as a potential conflict of interest. Before becoming a senator, he was active in grassroots politics, and unsuccessfully attempted to enter parliament at the
2016 election. Ideologically, he was considered a member of the National Right faction of the parliamentary Liberal Party. (Full article...)
Image 14
Rosita near peak intensity prior to landfall on 19 April
Severe Tropical Cyclone Rosita was a
tropical cyclone that affected northern Australia from 15 April through 21 April 2000. Rosita was one of the most intense tropical cyclones to hit the west
Kimberley coast in the last century. Crossing the coast as a Category 5 about 40 kilometres (25 mi) south of
Broome on 20 April, Rosita caused severe damage in the Eco Beach resort and the vegetation around Broome. Its region of very destructive winds (gusts exceeding 170 km/h) passed south of Broome by only 15 kilometres (9.3 mi). Cyclone Rosita was the first cyclone to directly hit Broome since
Cyclone Lindsay in March
1985. (Full article...)
The station was originally known as Forrestfield station during planning and construction. The contract for the Forrestfield–Airport Link, which consists of 8 kilometres (5 mi) of twin bored tunnels and three new stations, was awarded to
Salini Impregilo and
NRW Pty Ltd in April 2016. High Wycombe station itself was constructed above ground, with the line entering a tunnel just north of the station. Construction began in November 2016, with works initially focussing on building the tunnel dive structure. Tunnelling began in July 2017, and construction of the station itself had begun by November 2017. For much of the construction period, the site contained infrastructure to support the tunnelling operation. (Full article...)
... that Bill Dunn, an
Indigenous Australian pastoralist approaching retirement, sold his station at half-price to the
Jigalong community despite receiving full-price offers from non-Indigenous people?
...that the original Victoria Dam, constructed in 1891, was the first
dam in
Western Australia, and it stood for almost 100 years before being replaced with the current dam?
...that
AnglicanbishopKay Goldsworthy was consecrated as the first woman bishop of any Australian church on 22 May 2008?
Featured articles are displayed here, which represent some of the best content on English Wikipedia.
Image 1
Orson at peak intensity on 22 April
Severe Tropical Cyclone Orson was the fourth most intense
cyclone ever recorded in the
Australian region. Forming out of a
tropical low on 17 April 1989, Orson gradually intensified as it tracked towards the west. After attaining Category 5 intensity on 20 April, the storm began to track southward and accelerated. The following day, the cyclone reached its peak intensity with winds of 250 km/h (160 mph) (10-minute sustained) and a
barometric pressure of 904 hPa (mbar). Orson maintained this intensity for nearly two days before making
landfall near
Dampier. The cyclone rapidly weakened after landfall as it accelerated to the southeast. After moving into the
Great Australian Bight on 24 April, the storm dissipated.
Despite Orson's extreme intensity, damage was relatively minimal as it struck a sparsely populated region of
Western Australia. Five people were killed offshore and damages amounted to
A$20 million (US$16.8 million). The storm damaged a new gas platform, delaying the project for nearly two weeks. The most severe impacts took place in
Pannawonica, where 70 homes were damaged. Following the storm, cleanup costs reached A$5 million (US$4.1 million). Due to the severity of the storm, the name Orson was
retired after the season. (Full article...)
The red-winged fairywren (Malurus elegans) is a species of
passerine bird in the
Australasian wren family, Maluridae. It is non-migratory and
endemic to the southwestern corner of
Western Australia. Exhibiting a high degree of
sexual dimorphism, the male adopts a brilliantly coloured
breeding plumage, with an iridescent silvery-blue crown, ear coverts and upper back, red shoulders, contrasting with a black throat, grey-brown tail and wings and pale underparts. Non-breeding males, females and juveniles have predominantly grey-brown plumage, though males may bear isolated blue and black feathers. No separate
subspecies are recognised. Similar in appearance and closely related to the
variegated fairywren and the
blue-breasted fairywren, it is regarded as a separate species as no intermediate forms have been recorded where their ranges overlap. Though the red-winged fairywren is locally common, there is evidence of a decline in numbers.
Bearing a narrow pointed
billadapted for probing and catching insects, the red-winged fairywren is primarily
insectivorous; it forages and lives in the shelter of scrubby vegetation in temperate wetter forests dominated by
karri trees, remaining close to cover to avoid predators. Like other fairywrens, it is a cooperative breeding species, with small groups of birds maintaining and defending small
territories year-round. Groups consist of a socially
monogamous pair with several
helper birds who assist in raising the young. There is a higher proportion of female helpers recorded for this species than for other species of fairywren. A variety of
vocalisations and visual displays have been recorded for communication and courtship in this species. Singing is used to advertise territory, and birds can distinguish other individuals by song alone. Male wrens pluck yellow petals and display them to females as part of a courtship display. (Full article...)
Image 3
One of the anti-aircraft guns assigned to the defence of Fremantle in November 1943
One of the anti-aircraft guns assigned to the defence of Fremantle in November 1943
During March 1944, the
Allies of World War II rapidly reinforced the military units located in the state of
Western Australia to defend against the possibility that
Japanese warships would attack the cities of
Fremantle and
Perth. This redeployment began on 8 March after concerns were raised about the purpose of Japanese warship movements near the
Dutch East Indies, and ended on 20 March, after it was concluded that an attack was unlikely.
In February 1944, the Allies became alarmed that the movement of the main Japanese fleet to
Singapore could be a precursor to raids in the
Indian Ocean, including against Western Australia. The emergency began when Allied code breakers detected the movement of a powerful force of Japanese warships in the Netherlands East Indies in early March. After a
United States Navy submarine made
radar contact with two Japanese warships near one of the entrances to the Indian Ocean on 6 March, the Allied military authorities and Australian Government judged that a fleet may have been heading towards the Perth area. In reality, these warships were undertaking a patrol while awaiting a small raiding force to return from attacking ships in the central Indian Ocean. (Full article...)
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Banksia cuneata, commonly known as matchstick banksia or Quairading banksia, is an
endangered species of
flowering plant in the family
Proteaceae. Endemic to
southwestWestern Australia, it belongs to
Banksia subg. Isostylis, a sub-genus of three closely related Banksia species with
inflorescences or flower clusters that are dome-shaped heads rather than characteristic Banksia flower spikes. A shrub or small tree up to 5 m (16 ft) high, it has prickly foliage and pink and cream flowers. The common name Matchstick Banksia arises from the blooms in late bud, the individual buds of which resemble matchsticks. The species is
pollinated by
honeyeaters (Meliphagidae).
Although B. cuneata was first collected before 1880, it was not until 1981 that Australian botanist
Alex George formally described and named the species. There are two genetically distinct population groups, but no recognised varieties. This Banksia is classified as endangered, surviving in fragments of remnant bushland in a region which has been 93% cleared for agriculture. As Banksia cuneata is killed by fire and regenerates from seed, it is highly sensitive to bushfire frequency—fires recurring within four years could wipe out populations of plants not yet mature enough to set seed. Banksia cuneata is rarely cultivated, and its prickly foliage limits its utility in the cut flower industry. (Full article...)
In nature, B. sceptrum grows in deep yellow or pale red sand in tall
shrubland, commonly on
dunes, being found as a shrub to 5 metres (16 ft) high, though often smaller in exposed areas. It is killed by
fire and regenerates by
seed, the woody
follicles opening with fire. B. sceptrum is one of the most striking yellow-flowered
banksias of all. Its tall bright yellow spikes, known as
inflorescences, are terminal and well displayed. Flowering is in summer, mainly December and January, though flowers are occasionally seen at other times. (Full article...)
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Inflorescence
Banksia epica is a
shrub that grows on the south coast of
Western Australia. A spreading bush with wedge-shaped serrated leaves and large creamy-yellow flower spikes, it grows up to 3½ metres (11½ ft) high. It is known only from two isolated populations in the remote southeast of the
state, near the western edge of the
Great Australian Bight. Both populations occur among coastal
heath on
cliff-top dunes of
siliceous sand.
One of the most recently described Banksia species, it was probably seen by
Edward John Eyre in 1841, but was not collected until 1973, and was only recognised as a distinct
species in 1988. There has been very little research on the species since then, so knowledge of its ecology and cultivation potential is limited. It is placed in
Banksia ser. Cyrtostylis, alongside its close relative, the well-known and widely cultivated B. media (southern plains banksia). (Full article...)
Banksia violacea, commonly known as violet banksia, is a species of
shrub or tree in the plant genus Banksia (family
Proteaceae). It generally grows as a small shrub to 1.5 m (5 ft) high with fine narrow leaves, and is best known for its unusually coloured dark purple-violet
inflorescences. The colour of the inflorescences, short leaves, and flattened follicles which are sticky when young, help identify this species from others in the field. It is found in low
shrubland in southern regions of
Western Australia from
Esperance in the east to
Narrogin in the west, growing exclusively in sandy soils.
First described in 1927 by the West Australian botanist
Charles Gardner, the species was at one stage considered a
variety of B. sphaerocarpa. Although there are no recognised subspecies or varieties, both
lignotuberous and nonlignotuberous forms exist for Banksia violacea. Wasps, ants and flies have been recorded visiting flower spikes. Banksia violacea is classified as Not Threatened under the
Wildlife Conservation Act of Western Australia. Regarded as of little value to
floriculture, it is rarely cultivated. (Full article...)
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Banksia verticillata, commonly known as granite banksia or Albany banksia, is a species of
shrub or (rarely) tree of the genus Banksia in the family
Proteaceae. It is native to the
southwest of
Western Australia and can reach up to 3 m (10 ft) in height. It can grow taller to 5 m (16 ft) in sheltered areas, and much smaller in more exposed areas. This species has elliptic green leaves and large, bright golden yellow
inflorescences or flower spikes, appearing in summer and autumn. The
New Holland honeyeater (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae) is the most prominent
pollinator, although several other species of
honeyeater, as well as bees, visit the flower spikes.
A declared vulnerable species, it occurs in two
disjunct populations on
granite outcrops along the south coast of
Western Australia, with the main population near
Albany and a smaller population near
Walpole, and is threatened by dieback (Phytophthora cinnamomi) and aerial canker (Zythiostroma). B. verticillata is killed by bushfire and new plants regenerate from seed afterwards. Populations take over a decade to produce seed and fire intervals of greater than twenty years are needed to allow the
canopy seed bank to accumulate. (Full article...)
Banksia grossa is a species of
shrub in the
familyProteaceae and is
endemic to
Southwest Australia. It is one of fourteen species of
banksia of the series Abietinae, all of which bear predominantly cylindrical or oval
inflorescences. Collected in 1965, it was first formally described in 1981 by
Alex George. Its thick leaves and large seeds distinguish it from other members of the Abietinae, and are the basis of its species name.
Found in sand or sand over
laterite among
heath between
Eneabba and
Badgingarra in Western Australia, the species grows as a many-stemmed shrub to 1 m (3.3 ft) high with narrow leaves and oval brownish flower spikes up to 10 cm (4 in) high, composed of hundreds of individual flowers. Flowering occurs throughout the cooler months of March to September. Flower spikes develop woody
follicles which bear the seeds. After
bushfire, Banksia grossa regenerates from its woody
lignotuber; bushfires also stimulate the release of seeds, which germinate after disturbance. Visitors to (and likely
pollinators of) inflorescences include insects and a nocturnal mammal, the
white-tailed dunnart. (Full article...)
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Map of the south-west of Western Australia, with Great Eastern Highway highlighted in red
Great Eastern Highway is a 590-kilometre-long (370 mi) road that links the
Western Australian capital of
Perth with the city of
Kalgoorlie. A key route for road vehicles accessing the eastern
Wheatbelt and the
Goldfields, it is the western portion of the main road link between Perth and the
eastern states of Australia. The highway forms the majority of
National Highway 94, although the alignment through the Perth suburbs of Guildford and Midland, and the eastern section between
Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie are not included. Various segments form parts of other
road routes, including
National Route 1, Alternative National Route 94, and State Route 51.
Banksia scabrella, commonly known as the Burma Road banksia, is a
species of woody shrub in the genus Banksia. It is classified in the series Abietinae, a group of several species of shrubs with small round or oval
inflorescences. It occurs in a number of isolated populations south of
Geraldton, Western Australia, with the largest population being south and east of
Mount Adams. Found on sandy soils in heathland or shrubland, it grows to 2 m (7 ft) high and 3 m (10 ft) across with fine needle-like leaves. Appearing in spring and summer, the inflorescences are round to oval in shape and tan to cream with purple styles. Banksia scabrella is killed by fire and regenerates by seed.
Originally collected in 1966, B. scabrella was one of several species previously considered to be forms of Banksia sphaerocarpa, before it was finally described by banksia expert
Alex George in his 1981 revision of the genus. Like many members of the Abietinae, it is rarely seen in cultivation; however, it has been described as having
horticultural potential. (Full article...)
Banksia sessilis, commonly known as parrot bush, is a
species of
shrub or
tree in the
plantgenusBanksia of the family
Proteaceae. It had been known as Dryandra sessilis until 2007, when the genus Dryandra was sunk into Banksia. The
Noongar peoples know the plant as budjan or butyak. Widespread throughout
southwestWestern Australia, it is found on sandy soils over
laterite or
limestone, often as an
understorey plant in open forest, woodland or shrubland. Encountered as a shrub or small tree up to 6 m (20 ft) in height, it has prickly dark green leaves and dome-shaped cream-yellow
flowerheads. Flowering from winter through to late spring, it provides a key source of food—both the nectar and the insects it attracts—for
honeyeaters in the cooler months, and
species diversity is reduced in areas where there is little or no parrot bush occurring. Several species of honeyeater, some species of native bee, and the
European honey bee seek out and consume the nectar, while the
long-billed black cockatoo and
Australian ringneck eat the seed. The life cycle of Banksia sessilis is adapted to regular bushfires. Killed by fire and regenerating by seed afterwards, each shrub generally produces many flowerheads and a massive amount of seed. It can recolonise disturbed areas, and may grow in thickets.
Banksia sessilis has a somewhat complicated
taxonomic history. It was collected from
King George Sound in 1801 and described by
Robert Brown in 1810 as Dryandra floribunda, a name by which it was known for many years. However,
Joseph Knight had published the name Josephia sessilis in 1809, which had precedence due to its earlier date, and the specific name was formalised in 1924. Four
varieties are recognised. It is a prickly plant with little apparent
horticultural potential; none of the varieties are commonly seen in cultivation. A profuse producer of nectar, B. sessilis is valuable to the
beekeeping industry. (Full article...)
After the war, Hancock became the inaugural commandant of
RAAF College. His subsequent positions included
Deputy Chief of the Air Staff from 1951 to 1953, Air Member for Personnel from 1953 to 1955, and
Air Officer Commanding (AOC)
No. 224 Group RAF in
Malaya, responsible for all
Commonwealth air forces in the region, from 1957 to 1959. Appointed a
Companion of the Order of the Bath in 1958, he served as AOC
RAAF Operational Command from 1959 to 1961, before being promoted to air marshal and commencing his term as Chief of the Air Staff. He was
knighted in 1962. In his role as the Air Force's senior officer, Hancock initiated redevelopment of
RAAF Base Learmonth in north
Western Australia, as part of a chain of
forward airfields for the defence of the continent. He also evaluated potential replacements for the RAAF's
English Electric Canberra bomber, finding the American "TFX" (later the
General Dynamics F-111) to be the most suitable for Australia's needs, though he did not recommend its immediate purchase due to its early stage of development. After retiring from the military in May 1965, Hancock co-founded the Australia Defence Association. He died in 1998, aged 91. (Full article...)
Banksia attenuata, commonly known as the candlestick banksia, slender banksia, or biara to the
Noongar people, is a species of plant in the family
Proteaceae. Commonly a tree, it reaches 10 m (33 ft) high, but it is often a shrub in drier areas 0.4 to 2 m (1.3 to 6.6 ft) high. It has long, narrow, serrated leaves and bright yellow
inflorescences, or flower spikes, held above the foliage, which appear in spring and summer. The flower spikes age to grey and swell with the development of the woody
follicles. The candlestick banksia is found across much of the
southwest of
Western Australia, from north of
Kalbarri National Park down to
Cape Leeuwin and across to
Fitzgerald River National Park.
English botanist
John Lindley had named material collected by Australian botanist
James DrummondBanksia cylindrostachya in 1840, but this proved to be the same as the species named Banksia attenuata by Scottish botanist
Robert Brown 30 years earlier in 1810, and thus Brown's name took precedence. Within the genus Banksia, the close relationships and exact position of B. attenuata is unclear. (Full article...)
Photo credit:
Gnangarra St Barthelomew's Church in the remaining area of
East Perth Cemeteries, originally built as mortuary chapel in 1848. In 1870 it was converted into a church by
Richard Roach Jewell and extended in 1900 to include a nave and sanctuary.
The station first opened in 1896 on the
Perth to Midland railway with two
side platforms and an adjacent goods yard. It served as the junction station for the
Belmont spur line between 1896 and 1956. Bayswater station was rebuilt as an
island platform just to the north in the late 1960s when the Midland line was converted from
narrow gauge to
dual gauge; the standard gauge trains were unable to fit between the side platforms. Around that time, the goods yard closed. (Full article...)
Image 2
Thornlie line at Thornlie station viewed from the Spencer Road bridge, January 2021
The Thornlie line is a temporarily closed
suburban railway line and service in
Perth, Western Australia, operated by the
Public Transport Authority as part of the
Transperth system. The Thornlie line is a branch of the
Armadale line which opened on 7 August 2005 and runs for 2.9 kilometres (1.8 mi) parallel to the
Kwinana freight railway between the Armadale line at
Kenwick and
Thornlie station. Thornlie line services continued north of Kenwick along the Armadale line to
Perth station, stopping at most stations, in contrast to Armadale line services, which skipped most stations along that section. The Thornlie line been suspended since 20 November 2023 due to construction work; it is planned to reopen in mid-2025.
The Thornlie line originated from initial plans for the
Mandurah line, which was to branch off the Armadale line and run along the Kwinana freight railway. The Mandurah line's planned route changed in 2001, but not before tunnels were built for the line to exit the Armadale line at Kenwick and enter the
Kwinana Freeway. It was decided to build the Thornlie line instead as a one station branch of the Armadale line. The main construction contract was awarded to
Barclay Mowlem in 2004 and the Thornlie line opened on 7 August 2005. (Full article...)
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Map of the south-west of Western Australia, with Albany Highway highlighted in red
Prior to European settlement, the indigenous
Noongar people had a considerable network of tracks, including a
trade route between the areas now known as Perth and Albany. Construction of a road between Perth and Albany began soon after the naming of Albany in 1832, but progress was slow, with only 16 miles (26 km) completed by 1833. A monthly mail route which operated in the 1840s had such trouble with the journey that a new contractor was required each year, and from 1847 the mail route detoured via
Bunbury. The introduction of convicts in 1850, and thus convict labour, allowed a road along the direct route to be fully constructed by 1863. (Full article...)
The construction of the
East–West Telegraph line in the 1870s, along Eyre's route, resulted in a hazardous
trail that could be followed for interstate travel. A national highway was called for, with the
federal government seeing the route's importance in 1941, when a
war in the Pacific seemed imminent. The highway was constructed between July 1941 and June 1942, and was trafficable by January 1942. It was originally named Forrest Highway, after
John Forrest, by the
war cabinet. It was officially named Eyre Highway, a name agreed upon by the states' nomenclature committees. (Full article...)
Image 5
Redcliffe Station, Western Australia, on opening day, October 2022 02.jpg
The contract for the Forrestfield–Airport Link, which consists of 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) of twin bored tunnels and three new stations, was awarded to
Salini Impregilo and
NRW Pty Ltd in April 2016. Forward works, which included the permanent closure of Brearley Avenue between
Great Eastern Highway and Dunreath Drive, began in 2016. Construction began in mid-2017, and by June 2018, excavation was complete. The two
tunnel boring machines (TBMs) reached the station in mid-2019, having tunnelled from
High Wycombe, and left tunnelling towards
Bayswater after several weeks of maintenance. Construction of the station infrastructure followed. (Full article...)
In the
1904 state election, Labor won 22 of the Legislative Assembly's 50 seats, making it the party with the most seats. On 8 July 1904, the Labor Party caucus elected Daglish as the party's leader, and on 10 August, he successfully moved a
motion of no confidence in the government of
Walter James, who resigned as premier.
GovernorFrederick Bedford then swore in Daglish as premier of Western Australia,
colonial treasurer and
minister for education. His keynote speech on 23 August was poorly received; militant Labor supporters saw him as giving up on Labor policies. In parliament, Daglish struggled to achieve anything due to a hostile
Legislative Council; his one major success was the passing of a new Public Service Act. In June 1905, a cabinet reshuffle decreased Daglish's popularity within the Labor Party but he defeated a motion of no confidence at a caucus meeting later that month. Daglish resigned as premier on 22 August 1905 when his plan to buy the
Midland Railway Company for
£1.5 million (equivalent to
AU$126,500,000 in 2022) failed to pass through parliament.
Hector Rason succeeded him as premier on 25 August. (Full article...)
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Aerial view of Fremantle Prison (1935) The architecture of Fremantle Prison includes the six-hectare (15-acre) site of the former prison on The Terrace,
Fremantle, in
Western Australia. Limestone was quarried on-site during construction, and the south-western corner (the South Knoll) and eastern portion of the site are at a considerably higher ground level. The
Fremantle Prison site includes the prison cell blocks, gatehouse, perimeter walls, cottages, tunnels, and related infrastructure.
The Main Cell Block is the longest and tallest cell range in Australia, and a dominating feature of the prison. New Division, constructed between 1904 and 1907, continues the façade alignment of the main block. Service buildings were converted into the separate Women's Prison. Fremantle Prison is surrounded by limestone perimeter walls, while a two-storey limestone gatehouse, with a central clock, presents an imposing entrance. North and south of the gatehouse, on The Terrace, are several cottages and houses – three of which are built in Victorian style in contrast to the Georgian style of the others. (Full article...)
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"Showdown" is the fourth
single and first track from the album In Silico by Australian
electronic rock band
Pendulum. It has been remixed by several artists, including DJ Clipz (who is also
Red Light) and
Excision. It is also the first single taken from In Silico not to use the album logo prominently on its cover.
The single was originally released through various
online music stores on 5 January 2009. It was not available in any physical format until 9 February, when
Warner Music UK released the
12-inchpicture disc of "Showdown". To help promote the single, Pendulum also released a Space Invaders themed video game which offered players a chance of winning an official framed
gold disc of In Silico. (Full article...)
Built in a
modernist style, the building has been the subject of vigorous public debate about its heritage value. Some parties, such as the
Royal Australian Institute of Architects, consider the building to be an important example of modernist architecture in the city, whilst others consider it ugly. These conflicting views led to animosity in the 1990s, when the
State Government refused to
heritage list the property, and instead recommended its demolition. Despite this, the City of Perth opted to renovate the tower and keep it as its headquarters. Following this, the building was admitted to the State's Heritage Register. (Full article...)
Image 10
Stubbs Terrace
Daglish is a small
western suburb of
Perth, the capital of
Western Australia. It is approximately 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) west of the Perth central business district, and within the
City of Subiaco local government area. It was named after
Henry Daglish, who was the
mayor of Subiaco, member for the
electoral district of Subiaco and
premier of Western Australia from 1904 to 1905. The
Daglish railway station opened in 1924 in response to population growth in the neighbouring suburb of
Subiaco. The following year, the Municipality of Subiaco bought the land west of the railway station to sell for housing. Development occurred over the following 20 years. The initial development next to the railway station used the
garden suburb principles, with large lots and gardens, curved streets, and lots of green space. Today, the suburb has significant heritage value due to its uniform streetscape, with most original homes still standing. It has a population of 1,419 as of the
2016 Australian census. (Full article...)
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Eucalyptus wandoo, commonly known as wandoo, dooto, warrnt or wornt and sometimes as white gum, is a small to medium-sized tree that is
endemic to the southwest of Western Australia. It has smooth bark, lance-shaped adult leaves, flower buds in groups of nine to seventeen, white flowers and conical to cylindrical fruit. It is one of a number of similar Eucalyptus species known as wandoo.
Born in
Fremantle, Western Australia, Edwards joined the
Royal Australian Air Force in 1935, and a year later was granted a short service commission with the RAF. Serving throughout the Second World War, he gained a permanent commission and continued his career in the RAF after the war; he retired in 1963 with the rank of air commodore. Returning to Australia, he was appointed Governor of Western Australia in 1974. (Full article...)
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Benjamin John Small (born 11 June 1988) is an Australian politician. He was selected to serve as a
senator for
Western Australia, representing the
Liberal Party, to fill a casual vacancy following
Mathias Cormann's resignation. His first term lasted from November 2020 until his April 2022 resignation, and he resumed his term in May after being nominated to replace himself. Small was unsuccessful in his re-election bid in the
2022 federal election and his term as senator concluded on 30 June 2022.
Small studied nautical science, marine operations, and business management. He worked in marine transport and logistics for several energy and resource companies, with his holdings in those criticised as a potential conflict of interest. Before becoming a senator, he was active in grassroots politics, and unsuccessfully attempted to enter parliament at the
2016 election. Ideologically, he was considered a member of the National Right faction of the parliamentary Liberal Party. (Full article...)
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Rosita near peak intensity prior to landfall on 19 April
Severe Tropical Cyclone Rosita was a
tropical cyclone that affected northern Australia from 15 April through 21 April 2000. Rosita was one of the most intense tropical cyclones to hit the west
Kimberley coast in the last century. Crossing the coast as a Category 5 about 40 kilometres (25 mi) south of
Broome on 20 April, Rosita caused severe damage in the Eco Beach resort and the vegetation around Broome. Its region of very destructive winds (gusts exceeding 170 km/h) passed south of Broome by only 15 kilometres (9.3 mi). Cyclone Rosita was the first cyclone to directly hit Broome since
Cyclone Lindsay in March
1985. (Full article...)
The station was originally known as Forrestfield station during planning and construction. The contract for the Forrestfield–Airport Link, which consists of 8 kilometres (5 mi) of twin bored tunnels and three new stations, was awarded to
Salini Impregilo and
NRW Pty Ltd in April 2016. High Wycombe station itself was constructed above ground, with the line entering a tunnel just north of the station. Construction began in November 2016, with works initially focussing on building the tunnel dive structure. Tunnelling began in July 2017, and construction of the station itself had begun by November 2017. For much of the construction period, the site contained infrastructure to support the tunnelling operation. (Full article...)
... that Bill Dunn, an
Indigenous Australian pastoralist approaching retirement, sold his station at half-price to the
Jigalong community despite receiving full-price offers from non-Indigenous people?
...that the original Victoria Dam, constructed in 1891, was the first
dam in
Western Australia, and it stood for almost 100 years before being replaced with the current dam?
...that
AnglicanbishopKay Goldsworthy was consecrated as the first woman bishop of any Australian church on 22 May 2008?