Tall tales and tears farewell patrol room
Serena Kirby. It was a mix of tall tales and tears at the Denmark Surf Life Saving Club recently as past and present members gathered to mark the pending demolition of their 73-year-old patrol room. Built in 1960, the patrol room, featuring its porthole windows, has long been a much-loved icon of Ocean Beach.
Lower budget no barrier to a whizzbang success
Patricia Gill. The Big 30 Whizzbangaversary Exhibitionist Brave New Works operated on half the budget of BNW29 but exceeded all expectations with 45 works in the festival. Most of these were from Denmark artists but there was the occasional international artist and others from elsewhere in WA adding their talent to the three days of fun...
Fairy Queen conquers Covid for fitting finale
Vicky Wilson. The final stage of Denmark Baroque’s Fairy Queen project was completed in January, culminating three years’ work to complete an ambitious program. Started in 2021 and stalled by Covid restrictions in 2022, the project focused on community capacity building of the performing arts in the Great Southern.
Adam’s ATAR ‘near perfect’
Serena Kirby. Denmark Senior High School again produced high-performing ATAR students last year. Adam Turner achieved a near perfect score of 97.7 and was not only awarded Dux of the school but collected six other awards including physics and maths awards.
‘In step with changing attitudes’
Patricia Gill. Shire president Kingsley Gibson says Australia Day celebrations in Denmark have moved in step with changing community attitudes and demands. Councillor Gibson said the Denmark Shire Council did not have a position on Australia Day and spoke to the Bulletin as a private citizen about tomorrow’s Kwoorabup Festival which he believed would be a safe and inclusive event for all.
‘Odd day’ for a celebration
Patricia Gill. "Australia has much to celebrate as a nation, and a national day presents a welcome opportunity for mature reflection on who we are, and who we could be." So says Andrea Gaynor, professor of history at WA University, who says it’s ‘odd’ that January 26, is the day for the commemoration.
Feeling the love for Colin
Serena Kirby. A capacity crowd turned out at Rockcliffe Winery last weekend for a memorial concert for respected local musician Colin Reeves ... “Colin and I played music together for around 40 years and he had a real passion for classical guitar,"Colin's brother Michael said ... Michael’s son, Sam Reeves, is following in his uncle’s footsteps and is lead guitarist for Night Train who played at the tribute concert.
Parking, staff shortages make for holiday blues
Patricia Gill. A café proprietor says Denmark is having ‘growing pains’ and an acceptance is needed that the town is now ‘on the map’, particularly over peak holiday periods. Mrs Jones Café proprietor Sam Jackson is among other accommodation and food-provider businesses which have been under the pump over Christmas and New Year. “Things will change whether we like it or not,” Sam said.
