Photographer captures essence of WA

SCENIC: Artist Jane Wishaw with some of artwork that is on display throughout the Banwest offices in Perth. Picture: Ross Swanborough Source: PerthNow

PHOTOGRAPHER Jane Wishaw's montage inside Bankwest Place - some 1500 pictures over 14 floors - is one of the city's greatest artistic showcases.

She has travelled the world capturing spectacular scenery, but the West Australian said it was a decade's worth of photos taken around her home state that inspired the collection.

Ms Wishaw's images capture the WA's diverse environment, from a rare white-tailed black cockatoo in Eagle Bay to the intricate details of coral at Ningaloo Reef.

"To have my state represented through the eyes of my photography, I couldn't be more proud,'' Ms Wishaw said.

"To my knowledge I don't think there would be one other photographer whose landscape of photographs is ensconced into the fabric of a building.''

The Cottesloe-based photographer has held exhibitions around the country and travelled the world on international magazine assignments, but she says this was her biggest commission.

Her pictures cover the walls, staircase and meeting rooms of the bank's new Murray St offices, applied as lithographic prints.

Ms Wishaw, a former Telstra Business Woman of the Year, said the artwork started on the lower levels with pictures from the Kimberley, while a collection of marine life, flora and fauna and sky ascended the building.

Though she started photography at a young age, it was a near-fatal horse-riding accident 12 years ago that prompted Ms Wishaw to turn her hobby into a profession.

She spent two years learning to walk again, but could not return to her previous job as a corporate high-flyer at the casino.

During her rehabilitation she fell in love with photographing nature and has since turned her talent into a successful business.
 

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One in three to join $70m jackpot hopefuls

One in three people expected to snap up a ticket for next week's $70m OZ Lotto jackpot. Source: Herald Sun

MORE than $100 million is up for grabs in the Lotto next week.

On Tuesday night, OZ Lotto's $70 million jackpot will be drawn.

It is the second highest amount the game has ever jackpotted to and would make Australian history if one Lotto player takes out the big prize.

Lotterywest spokeswoman Pina Compagnone said the record amount won was $58.7 million by a Melbourne syndicate of four in 2008.

"The jackpot is certainly generating excitement and anticipation across the nation, with one in three adult Australians expected to pick up a ticket in this draw," she said.

Thursday will see the draw of the $15 million Powerball jackpot, and the week will end with the $21 million Saturday Lotto Superdraw.

Ms Compagnone said there were 59 Division 1 winners in Western Australia so far this year.

Tickets for next week's draws are available from Lotterywest retailers across the state or online at www.lotterywest.wa.gov.au.

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Further drug raids planned for regional WA

Police have seized thousands of dollars worth of drugs and weapons in a major operation to target street-level drug dealers.

CRACKDOWN: Police raided this Bellevue home and allegedly found 47 bags of Cannabis, each worth $25, as well as cash and a smoking implement. Picture: Richard Polden Source: PerthNow

Inspector Rob Anderson looks over drugs and weapons seized as part of Operation Crackdown. Picture: Nicole Cox. Source: PerthNow

Drugs and weapons seized as part of Operation Crackdown. Picture: Nicole Cox. Source: PerthNow

MORE drug raids are planned by West Australian police after a one-day blitz in metropolitan and regional areas that led to 86 arrests.

Operation Crackdown was undertaken in the metro area yesterday morning, targeting street-level drug dealers who encouraged and facilitated crimes among drug users such as burglaries, police said.

"Significant intelligence on drug dealers has been gathered, which will lead to further drug operations across regional WA,'' WA police said today.

Fifty properties in Rockingham, Inglewood, Morley, Balga, Bellevue, Trigg, Girrawheen and Padbury were searched as part of the sting, dubbed Operation Crackdown.

In country WA, police conducted 42 simultaneous raids from Eucla to Kununurra, Albany to Broome and major coastal towns.

Police said cannabis, methamphetamines, amphetamines, cocaine and psylocibin (mushrooms) had been seized during the raids.

In addition, a cache of weapons including a sawn-off rifle, throwing knives, axes, a crossbow, butterfly knife and samurai sword were also allegedly located during the raids.

Operational Commander Inspector Rob Anderson today said the operation aimed to conduct a large number of drug search warrants across the metropolitan area in a single day to disrupt and dismantle these dealers' activities.

"WA Police are committed to making the communities a safer place,'' Insp Rob Anderson said..

Across the metropolitan area, police made 63 arrests and issued 104 summons for 217 charges from metropolitan raids. During the suburban search warrants $85,000 in cash was seized and stolen property valued at $56,000 was confiscated.

Regionally, officers laid 120 charges, made 22 arrests and summonsed 23 people to court on a range of drug, stolen property, unlicensed firearms and weapons charges.

Insp Anderson said the operation was to "send a loud and clear message to those drug dealers that if you participate in this behaviour...WA Police will find you. They will execute search warrants at your premises, maybe not tomorrow, maybe not next week, maybe not next month but we will find you and we will target you.

"There is no doubt that drug dealers and those people involved in drugs are also involved in other crimes as well.''

Insp Anderson said it was concerning that children had been found at some of the alleged drug dens raided by police yesterday.

"There's no ethics amongst drug dealers,'' he said.

In Donnybrook, police found a suspected clandestine drug lab in bush land.

At a home in Bellevue officers allegedly seized 47 individual bags of cannabis in a tin canister on a bedside table.

While at one property in Trigg, 133 cannabis plants worth $200,000 were uncovered.

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Indecent assault on boys in Hyde Park

HIGHGATE: Police believe this man may have been in the vicinity of an indecent assault at Hyde Park today. Source: PerthNow

TWO young boys were indecently touched by an older man while playing at Hyde Park this afternoon.

The boys were playing in a water feature at the Highgate park about 1pm today when they were indecently touched by a man, who left the area shortly after.

Police would like to speak to the man pictured, who was seen in the area at the time and who they believe can assist with their inquiries.

He is described as being about 70 to 80 years of age, with a slim build, white hair and a moustache.

He was wearing a red, white and blue checkered shirt with blue shorts and a black leather belt.

Anyone who can identify the man or who witnessed the incident is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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Skateboard crash claims life of Italian man

A 23-year-old man has died after falling from a skateboard on a steep hill in Bicton.

The descent at Braunton Street, Bicton, where a skateboarder died last night. Source: PerthNow

A YOUNG man from Italy has been killed after he came off his skateboard and crashed into a pole at a popular skate spot in Bicton.

Nine News reports that the man, 22, had only been in living in Perth for a few months after coming out from Italy.

Last night's tragic accident on Braunton Street occurred just before 7pm, when he clipped the curb and came off his longboard, crashing into a light post.

Nearby residents rushed to the man's aid and he was taken to Fremantle Hospital but died from his injuries.

One of the first people on the scene, Damian Kelly, told Nine News: "I ran down and found a young skateboarder lying on the ground, bleeding from the head unconscious.

"He had a very faint pulse, we monitored his vital signs and put a blanket on him, we didn't want to shift him due to risk of spinal damage."

Police believe the man was travelling at more than 50km/h as he came down the hill and its understood he was not wearing a helmet.

Local resident Barbara Dickinson told Nine News it was a dangerous area: "They simply come off their boards, they are either going too fast or they try to come round the corner too quickly."

Police are using Interpol to contact the man's family in Italy.

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Man vs shark in real life Jaws situation

The shortfin mako sharks have been known to attack humans. Picture: Red Kangaroo Media Source: Supplied

THESE terrifying pictures show the moment Australian photographer Sam Cahir was circled by a hungry shark - for two hours.

But Sam refused to panic in the real-life Jaws scenario - instead producing his camera to capture these incredible shots.

Sam had been taking part in a Great White tagging trip when he found himself face-to-face with the deadly predator off the Neptune Islands on the South Australian coast.

The Shortfin Mako shark - which have been known to attack humans - eventually left after eating tuna baits thrown into the water.

"The Mako made some menacing passes. On a number of occasions she almost swallowed the camera whole, allowing me to shoot straight down her maw," Sam said.

The shortfin mako sharks have been known to attack humans. Picture: Red Kangaroo Media

"It was a once in a lifetime opportunity. I feel humbled to have witnessed such a display of natures quirkiness."

Sam, who was taking part in work carried out by the Fox Shark Research Foundation, which was set up by Andrew Fox, the son of famous shark attack victim Rodney Fox, in notorious shark infested waters.

"When I saw the shark I couldn't get in the water fast enough to get some pictures," he said.

"I couldn't believe what I was seeing up close. This Mako was audacious, bordering manic.

Aussie Sam had been taking part in a Great White tagging trip when he found himself face-to-face with the deadly predator off the Neptune Islands, South Australia. Picture: Red Kangaroo Media

"At one point I had a Great White and a Mako circling for the tuna bait. The Mako literally browbeat away a Great White and not just any Great White Shark but a very large dominant male maybe six times her mass and twice her size - it was amazing.

"Once the Great White left, the Mako decided I was the next threat to her free meal. She circled me for around two hours making intimidatingly close passes."

Sam, who names his favourite diving spot as the Beqa Channel, Fiji, believes sharks need more protecting.

"An estimated 80 million sharks a year are killed for fins - it is a sad reality," he said.

The mako shark's fin is seen as it circles the boat. Picture: Red Kangaroo Media

"Without protection from organisations like the Fox Shark Research Foundation these encounters will only become more unlikely.

"It is very possible that without our intervention my son and his generation may never see these stunning animals in their natural habitat and that would be a huge injustice."

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Beware: Magpies on the swoop

GOTCHA: A woman is attacked by a swooping magpie in NSW. Picture: John Grainger Source: The Daily Telegraph

BEWARE: It's that time of the year again when swooping magpies become a menace across WA.

The Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) is reminding people to be on alert for swooping magpies, after  several reports of magpies displaying aggressive behaviour towards people.

DEC South West Region wildlife officer Pia Courtis said magpies were most active at this time of year.

"We expect that the number of calls from concerned residents who encounter an aggressive magpie will rise sharply as we approach summer," she said.

"Male magpies are territorial and may swoop at people if they think their nest or offspring are being threatened but they are only doing what comes naturally to them when defending their young ones.

"Tall trees in the suburbs provide the perfect environment for magpie nests and the best way to avoid being swooped is to find an alternative way of passing their breeding sites for the six to eight weeks that magpies usually defend their nest.

"We also encourage people to protect themselves by wearing a broad-brimmed hat and sunglasses to conceal their face and eyes.

"People should not look towards swooping magpies and they should ensure that children do not throw rocks or sticks at the birds, as this will only exacerbate their attacks.

"If you are riding a bike and you are swooped, consider attaching cable ties to your helmet as a deterrent or even dismount and walk your bike through the area. You may find you will not be swooped if you walk."

If magpies pose a serious safety risk to people, a dangerous fauna licence may be issued to remove the offending bird.

If you are concerned about aggressive magpies in your area, contact DEC's Wildcare Helpline on 9474 9055 or your nearest DEC office.
 

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Woman hit, threatened with gun at Coles

A composite image of the man sought by police. Source: PerthNow

A 27-YEAR-OLD woman has been threatened with a gun and punched in the face outside a Coles supermarket in Perth's northern suburbs.

The woman was walking home in Maylands last night about 11pm when she was approached by a man demanding money.

When the victim said she did not have any money, the man punched her in the face and revealed a silver hand gun.

He fled the scene shortly after.

The man was described as being of Asian appearance, aged 20 to 25 years, and about 160cm tall.

He was wearing a light coloured t-shirt and light coloured jeans.

Anyone with information should contact CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000.

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'Crackdown' raids across Perth

Police have seized thousands of dollars worth of drugs and weapons in a major operation to target street-level drug dealers.

CRACKDOWN: Police raided this Bellevue home and allegedly found 47 bags of Cannabis, each worth $25, as well as cash and a smoking implement. Picture: Richard Polden Source: PerthNow

POLICE have seized thousands of dollars worth of drugs and weapons after dozens of homes were raided in a major operation to target street-level drug dealers.

Homes in Rockingham, Inglewood, Morley, Balga, Bellevue, Trigg, Girrawheen and Padbury were raided as part of the operation, dubbed "Operation Crackdown."

Drugs, stolen property and weapons, including a sawn-off rifle, were seized in the raids.

At a home in Bellevue this morning, police allegedly seized 47 individual bags of cannabis in a tin canister on a bedside table.

There were numerous people inside the home, including children, when police arrived about 7.20am.

Two people, a 33-year-old woman and a 34-year-old man, will be charged by summons over the alleged cannabis find.

It is understood as many as 130 cannabis plants were also found at a property in Trigg this morning.

A police spokeswoman said today the operation was carried out in an effort to target street level drug dealers who have a negative effect on the community they live in.

"The operation intent was to conduct a large number of drug search warrants across the metropolitan area in a single day to disrupt and dismantle these dealers' activities, at the same time...reassuring the community that police are committed to making their community a safer place," the spokeswoman said.

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Burnt firefighters stable ahead of inquiry

FIRE VICTIM: One of the firefighters injured in a fire near Albany arrives at Jandakot. Picture: Jordan Shields Source: PerthNow

AN investigation into a bush blaze near Albany that left a firefighter with life-threatening burns is set to begin within a week.

The bushfire at Two Peoples Bay began on October 12 and was fully extinguished five days later.

A 45-year-old firefighter was badly hurt in the blaze, suffering burns to 60 per cent of her body, and was in a critical condition for several days.

She is now in a critical but stable condition, a Royal Perth Hospital spokesman said.

Another firefighter, a 24-year-old woman, received burns to 40 per cent of her body and remains in a stable condition.

Emergency Services Minister Troy Buswell said today the Fire and Emergency Services Authority, Department of Environment and Conservation and local government in Albany had appointed an independent person to undertake an investigation into fire.

"This person will be commencing work within the week,'' Mr Buswell said in an emailed statement.

It's already known that a sudden change in wind direction turned the fire on the truck carrying the two firefighters.

Mr Buswell told parliament today that the women would have been trained to stay inside the truck and cover themselves in a fire blanket, but training and resourcing for bushfires was constantly evolving.

He said he was "absolutely sure'' lessons could be learnt from the Albany fire.

"Fires of that nature are a dynamic and volatile environment,'' he said.

"I believe that from just about every single fire event that we attend, we can learn something new so we do it better next time.''

Mr Buswell warned that conditions were dry as the bushfire season approached.

"It's dry in the Great Southern, it's dry in the South West, it's dry across the metropolitan area,'' he said.

"In Mundaring, they are on the verge of stopping controlled burns because controlled burns in October are starting to crown - that's when the fire goes up into the top of the trees.

"So we have some big challenges.''

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