Monday, March 28, 2005

Sunday, March 27, 2005

Bunbury harbour at night

Bunbury harbour at night


A shot of the Bunbury outer harbour at night.

Bunbury Harbour and Indian Ocean

Bunbury Harbour and Indian Ocean


A cargo ship powers towards the entrance to the Bunbury harbour on the Indian Ocean whilst a yacht sits at its mooring inside the Bunbury harbour and marina area.

Friday, March 25, 2005

Western Australia

If you'd like to submit contributions on travel or your experiences in Western Australia please drop us an email.

In particular we are interested in hearing stories or getting photos on WA travel, restaurants, accommodation, real estate or people.

Thanks.

Keith Palmer
WA Online
Building information bridges for Western Australian communities
PO Box 342 Bunbury WA 6231
Phone: 08-979 15556 Fax: 08-979 15900
office@bunburyonline.com

Bunbury restaurant - Vat 2

Bunbury restaurant - Vat 2


Of the various Bunbury restaurant options, Vat 2 at the Marlston waterfront has probably established itself as Bunbury's favourite upmarket eatery.

Owned and operated by Jenny Spencer and Gary Cream, the Vat 2 is situated right on the foreshore at the old Jetty Baths area. You'll notice the playground and beach in front of the restaurant.

The Vat 2 runs a number of special events and also plays host to functions and weddings.

We'll be publishing more photos of Bunbury restaurants shortly.

Thursday, March 24, 2005

Bunbury harbour, Western Australia

Bunbury harbour, Western Australia


It got as high as 42ยบ in the south west area of Western Australia this week, setting a new top temperature record for the latter half of March.

This shot is from Marlston Hill in Bunbury across the Bunbury harbour in the late afternoon of that hot, hot March day.

Bunbury real estate

Bunbury real estate


This Bunbury home at Marlston Hill is an example of the newer properties being built in Bunbury Western Australia.

Presently the Bunbury real estate market is showing no signs of stagnating with demand for Bunbury property at an all-time high.

This particular home is located at the Strand, Bunbury's premiere address and opposite the Bunbury harbour.

The home is built on 7 separate levels and features 3 balconies and off-peak floor heating through every level.

It has parking for 4 vehicles, German tapware, Italian slide-out pantries and a futuristic kitchen in gloss dark grey and red with stainless steel and black granite benchtops plus a pyrolitic oven and touch sensitive hotplate.

The house is covered by both an ethernet and wireless computer network with all the mod cons you'd expect in a luxury Bunbury home.

It has panoramic views over the Bunbury harbour and marina, Koombana Bay and the Indian Ocean.

It has 6 bedrooms including a massive master suite on the top floor of the building with sweeping bay and ocean views.

If you are interested in this home please contact Greg Gardiner at Summit Realty Bunbury. Greg is an expert in Bunbury real estate and will give you great advice when it comes to Bunbury property.

Busselton Restaurant

Busselton Restaurant


When Busselton Online is launched in April 2005 you'll be able to book your local Busselton restaurant online and even select from the menu so that your choice of food is ready shortly after you arrive at the restaurant.

WA Online tourism manager Tony Ashbolt says that the Busselton restaurants will be able better plan their purchases and stocks of fresh foods and customers will receive quicker service, especially those with limited time business meetings.

Remember, this new online service is coming to a Busselton restaurant near you .... in April 2005, courtesy of Busselton Online.

Busselton Online and the Busselton Restaurant Guide are part of the WA Online Project - building information bridges for Western Australian communities.

Bunbury property

Bunbury property continues to be in high demand with prices
appreciating in consistent fashion.

Bunbury real estate agent Greg Gardiner, of Summit Realty Bunbury,
reports a sales increase of over 50% on 2004 figures. Mr Gardiner
reports an across the board demand for Bunbury property and says that
all Bunbury real estate agents are struggling to maintain property
stock with demand continually outstripping supply.

Summit Realty is located on the corner of Symmons and Wittenoom
Streets in Bunbury, opposite the Lord Forrest Hotel. Summit Realty is
the biggest of the Bunbury real estate agents.

Saturday, March 19, 2005

Busselton shopping area

Busselton shopping area


The Busselton shopping precinct has traditionally focussed on the Queen Street area but with the addition of large supermarket chains such as Coles, Woolworths and Action, now spreads over several Busselton CBD blocks.

Tuesday, March 15, 2005

Perth Theatre Company - Passionate Season

Photo for PTC blog

Hi

Following the posting of my ‘slightly old’ photo and biog on the page, I thought to share some info about PTC’s Passionate season for 2005!

The first show for the season opens next month and is called Tango. It is written by Western Australian writer and actor Elizabeth Spencer and is described as a “fast moving dark comedy”. Our WA writers have been making a huge impact on the national scene with their works being staged around Australia by major theatre companies and toured all around Australia by WA companies like ourselves.

The world premiere of Tango takes place on April 9 at the Rechabites Hall in Northbridge (no, it’s not as scary as the media makes us believe!) and runs until April 30. Just a little taster of the show...

A tango of love and a dance of life, Tango is one woman’s search for the strength to let a man lead.

A fast moving black comedy, Tango is the first show in Perth Theatre Company’s Passionate 2005 Season, and is by PTC Writers’ Lab member Elizabeth Spencer.

Clarissa is a strong woman who is used to getting her own way. She is career minded and attractive, but Clarissa will not let herself love, or be loved. As a woman that has spent her life in the driver’s seat, Clarissa sees love as a weakness that compromises strength and takes away her independence, so why bother?

But when a buried secret from the past comes back to haunt her, the life she thought she was in control of begins to crumble around her. An independent woman with countless choices, Clarissa thought she had an open door to freedom and power, but ironically Tango uncovers that too much choice can provide more dilemmas and less freedom.

Elizabeth Spencer is well known as a Perth actor and has starred in PTC productions such as Mules Foal, The Vagina Monologues, and Face to Face. Tango is Elizabeth’s highly anticipated new work, and was workshopped in 2002 as part of PTC’s Uncut Gems program.

Directed by Jenny Davis (The Chatroom, The Vagina Monologues), Tango brings together some of PTC’s favourite actors including Kirsty Hillhouse (Talk About The Passion, Last Cab To Darwin), Michael Loney (Face to Face, Shadow Of The Eagle), Leanne Page (Lipstick Dreams, Twelfth Night), and Steve Turner (Talk About The Passion, Weekend Breaks) in a play that explores contemporary matters of the heart.

Sometimes, there’s no point crying over spilt red.

Hope to see you there!

Natalie Jenkins
General Manager
Perth Theatre Company
PO Box Y3514 East St Georges Terrace
PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA 6832

Ph 61 8 9323 3433
Fx 61 8 9323 3455

Natalie Jenkins, Perth Theatre Company

Natalie Jenkins, Perth Theatre Company


Natalie Jenkins in the General Manager of the Perth Theatre Company and will be shortly providing content here about the PTC upcoming productions.

Natalie graduated with BA in Arts Management from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts in 1992 and since then has worked in a variety of management positions in Festivals, performing arts venues and theatre companies.

Prior to moving back to Perth in February 2000, Natalie was General Manager of Theatre North (Launceston, Tasmania) for 5 years, which included management of the City’s two performing arts venues - the Princess Theatre and the Earl Arts Centre. Theatre North also produced an annual season of theatre, opera and dance productions toured from all around Australia, as well supporting the development of independent artists and mentoring emerging artists and administrators.

Natalie has been a member of the Commonwealth Government's Playing Australia and Festivals Australia Committee since 1996 and is currently a member of the Australian Script Centre board and Stages WA board. She was President of the Australasian Performing Arts Centres Association (APACA) in 1999 and sat on the Tasmanian Arts Advisory Board for 4 years. Natalie was also a steering committee member of the Australia Council’s LOUD Festival – Australia’s first national youth arts festival and was a member of the Country Arts (WA) board in 1994/1995.

Previous to her appointment in Launceston, Natalie managed the Carnarvon Civic Centre for 2 years and coordinated two multi-arts Festivals in the South West of Western Australia. Prior to taking up Arts Management studies, Natalie was Administrator of Mesh Youth Theatre in Bunbury and not forgeting winning the award for top Theatre Arts student at Newton Moore Senior High School in 1987. Natalie joined Perth Theatre Company's board in 2002.

Saturday, March 12, 2005

Busselton Hospital

Busselton Hospital


The Busselton Hospital is located in Mill Road and would be one of the few hospitals in Australia with direct beach access. Visiting hours are 10am – 12.30pm and 2pm to 8pm. An emergency service is available 24/7.

The hospital complex is also home to the St John’s ambulance service and Peppi Lodge Hospice as well as an office for the Patients Assisted Travel Scheme, a pathology and x-ray services.

Friday, March 11, 2005

Thursday, March 10, 2005

Bunbury Western Australia

Bunbury Western Australia


A shot from the Burekup foothills looking back towards Bunbury and Koombana Bay.

Wednesday, March 09, 2005

Sr Romanus Dee farewelled at St John of God Hospital Bunbury

Sr Romanus Dee farewelled at St John of God Hospital Bunbury


Former St John of God nurse Romanus Dee was farewelled yesterday from St Johns Hospital Bunbury.

Sr Romanus came to Bunbury from St John of God Hospital Subiaco in 1975.

Sr Romanus is pictured at the current St John of God Bunbury Hospital here with Cindy Palmer and Pat Kelly, both of St Johns Bunbury.

Tuesday, March 08, 2005

Wild Thing - Bunbury Harbour

Wild Thing - Bunbury Harbour


Kevin Coote's catamaran Wild Thing on its mooring at the Bunbury Marina.

Monday, March 07, 2005

Bunbury bush trail

Bunbury bush trail


This shot, taken in the foothilss above Burekup near Wellington Mills, is typical of the bush trails above Bunbury.

Friday, March 04, 2005

Chow Ciao

It is great to see local personality Tony Ashbolt back on the Bunbury
restaurant scene.

Tony has just opened Chow Ciao on the capucino strip in Victoria Street
Bunbury.

He describes Chow Ciao as a "Mediterrasian Cafe", being a relaxed
casual cafe producing uncomplicated yet innovative cuisine encompassing
the essence of Mediterranean foods and cooking methods gently entwined
with the colours and flavours of Asia.

Chow Ciao is open at present from 9am - 10pm but these hours are
flexible in the opening period. Why not give Tony Ashbolt a call at
Chow-Ciao on 9791 7933 or fax 9791 7944.

Busselton Jetty

Busselton Jetty

Thursday, March 03, 2005

Cape Naturaliste lighthouse

Cape Naturaliste lighthouse


Take the road from Busselton to Dunsborough and at Dunsborough turn off and head to Meelup, Bunbkers Bay or Sugar Loaf but if you keep on the main road you'll end up at Cape Naturaliste and the Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse.

As you can see from the photo, there are public tours of the historic lighthouse and either from the Naturaliste Lighthouse or the rocks below, it's a great place to take a view of migrating whales who are often very close to shore as they head around Cape Naturaliste.

Wednesday, March 02, 2005

Sugar Loaf Rock - Busselton

Sugar Loaf Rock - Busselton


Sugar Loaf Rock between Dunsborough and Yallingup (near Busselton) is a spectacular sight on the "rugged" southern side of Cape Naturaliste.

You can access Sugar Loaf the same way you reach Meelup Beach or Bunkers Bay but instead of turning right to the peaceful, sparkling waters on one side of the cape, turning to the south soon brings you upon a windswept landcape of scrubby, low bushes in stark contrast to the lush trees and undergrowth only a few hundred metres away on the other side of Cape Naturaliste.

Sugar Loaf is one of two spectacular rock formations on this stretch of coastline, the other being Canal Rocks at Yallingup.

Ron Gard - Bunbury real estate agent

Ron Gard - Bunbury real estate agent


Ron Gard of Gard Real Estate Bunbury is one of doyen of Bunbury real estate agents.

Ron has been selling Bunbury properties for most of his life and has recently handed over the reins at Gard Realty to his son Jason Gard.

However, whilst Ron is supposely semi-retired, you'll still find him working all hours on all days at Gard Realty Bunbury.

It looks like Ron Gard will go on for quite some time as one of Bunbury's best known real estate agents.

Tuesday, March 01, 2005

Dalyellup - Bunbury real estate

Dalyellup - Bunbury real estate


Dalyellup is a major Bunbury suburb south of the city, opposite Gelorup and spreading from the Bussell Highway west to the beach.

There are a compbination of traditional building lots and bush blocks built amidst beautiful parklands, trails and reserves. The pictured waterfall forms part of a very large water feature and park at the entrance to the estate proper.

There are 2 local schools at Dalyellup - Dalyellup Primary and Lutheran Ocean Forest which compbines primary and high school under the guidance of former South Australian Larry Krieg.

Dalyellup has a small shopping village near its entrance but the earthworks for a major shopping centre alongside the Bussell Highway is currently being prepared. Ivan Jansz runs a local doctor surgery at the village shopping centre and the development is only a short drive to both the St John of God hospital and Bunbury Regional hospital.

Sr Romanus Dee & St John of God Hospital, Bunbury

Sr Romanus Dee


Sr Romanus pictured on the staircase of "Hosea" in Dardanup where she has worked for 6 years since handing over the position of Pastoral Services to Pat Kelly at St John of God Healthcare Bunbury.

Sr Romanus Dee to retire

Sr Romanus Dee to retire


Sister Romanus Dee, formerly of St John of God Hospital Bunbury and more recently Hosea in Dardanup will retire this month and move back to St John of God convent in Subiaco.

Sister Romanus (75 this year) has spent her life nursing in Western Australian hospitals and largely in Bunbury. Almost all of Bunbury knows the bubbly nun who would care for them and their families around the clock and then cheer them up when they were well.

St John of God Bunbury will honour the work and achievements of Sr Romanus when they celebarate St John of God Day at the Bunbury hospital on 8 March 2005.

(Pictured here Sr Romanus with Cindy and Luke Palmer)

Busselton Jetty

Busselton Jetty



The Busselton jetty and its surrounding beach area are probably the focal point of Busselton Western Australia.

The longest wooden jetty in the southern hemisphere, the Busselton jetty was previously in 2 sections, the main jetty and the railway jetty that converged, but in 1978 the main jetty section was destroyed by Cyclone Alby.

Today there is an ornamental train service that will ferry passengers the length of the jetty to a new underwater observatory on the sea floor. The underwater observatory is open 7 days and accommodates up to 40 persons.

The Busselton jetty is home to the world’s southernmost coral formations and host to over 300 individual marine species, being fed by the warm waters of the Leeuwin current from Indonesia.