Farewell to the humble garden shed

The garden shed, once the refuge of men everywhere, is fast becoming a relic of the past. Source: Supplied

GARDEN sheds are fast becoming a thing of the past as backyards shrink, houses expand and apartments dominate the skyline.

Once the humble home of the lawnmower, the wrench and the worn-out bloke seeking refuge from the wife and kids, a man's tools now live alongside the fabric softener and dirty undies.

In 1992 apartments and townhouses made up one-in-four of all new home approvals.

Now, almost half (40 per cent) of all new homes are multi-unit dwellings, Housing Industry Association figures show.

And, the size of houses has increased nine per cent since 2000, swallowing up the backyard and the garden shed with it.

Domenic Vitalone, the managing director of Wisdom Homes - which builds more than 400 homes every year, said as land becomes more expensive families are increasingly looking to downsize to homes that are more manageable and affordable.

"Garden sheds are a thing of the past,'' he said. "People are starting to make their garages 1m wider to accommodate or simply having a low maintenance garden.

"In the new estates the smallest lots are the first ones to sell.''

Between 2000 and today the size of new detached houses has risen from around 230sq m to just over 250sq m, HIA figures show.

Between 2002 and 2012 the average block size in Australian capital cities shrunk by around 127sq m (or 20 per cent) to 491sq m.

In WA average block sizes have gone down 25 per cent in those 10 years from 600sq m to 452sq m.

Bunnings national hand tools buyer Paul Bailey said there has been an increasing trend toward storage products to save on space.

"There is a growing demand for not only tool storage products, but storage products in general,'' he said.

"Some of the reasons behind this are people wanting to better utilise their space and people are becoming more time-poor and organising everything makes it easier to find what you are looking for.''

Woman charged after 69 false 000 calls

A woman has been charged with making 69 false calls to the emergency 000 number. Source: PerthNow

AN ELDERLY woman has been accused of calling triple-zero 69 times without reporting an emergency.

Police allege the woman made the first call about 12:40am yesterday but did not report an emergency.

She called another 68 times before 5pm, each time speaking with an operator.

The Innaloo woman has been charged with improper use of an emergency call service.

Police shut down Leederville function

FIVE men were arrested overnight after police were asked to help shut down a function on Loftus Street in Leederville.

About 150 youths were at the function centre when police were management asked police to help close the function.

Local police were supported by regional officers, police with dogs and horses to disband the crowd.

Earlier in the night, an 18-year-old employee of Mirrabooka Ice Rink was hit with a bottle outside the rink.

The offender was part of a group of four who were involved in a fight outside the rink after they had been asked to leave the venue.

They left the scene in a dark coloured Holden Commodore.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Call for witnesses to Wembley, Greenfields crashes

Police are also asking for any witnesses to several crashes yesterday, including one on Powis Street in Wembley at 3:15pm.

An 81-year-old woman and her 75-year-old passenger were in a Hyundai Getz when it hit a light post leaving both with serious injuries.

In a separate incident, a 21-year-old woman was taken to Peel Health Campus after the Ford Falcon she was a passenger in collided with a Mercedes Benz.

The incident occurred at the intersection of Mandurah Road and Allnut Street, Greenfields.

The 44-year-old female driver of the Mercedes and the 23-year-old man driving the Ford suffered minor injuries.

Arson suspected in Kewdale house fire

People gather outside the Kewdale house that was destroyed by fire in Pritchard Street, Kewdale. Picture: Theo Fakos. Source: PerthNow

Fire crews on the scene at the Pritchard Street home. Picture: Theo Fakos Source: PerthNow

A HOUSE in Kewdale has been destroyed by a fire that police suspect may have been deliberately lit.

Arson squad officers are investigating the fire at a house in Pritchard St, Kewdale, which was reported at about 9.30pm last night.

Department of Fire and Emergency Service crews extinguished the fire but the house was completely destroyed.

The cause of the fire is being treated as suspicious and anyone with information should call CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000.

Fire crews on the scene ata house fire in Pritchard Street, Kewdale. Picture: Theo Fakos Source: PerthNow

Fire crews on the scene ata house fire in Pritchard Street, Kewdale. Picture: Theo Fakos Source: PerthNow

Doctor banned from heart treatment

Keith Woollard.has been banned from heart treatment. Picture: Community Newspaper Group Source: PerthNow

FORMER Australian Medical Association president Keith Woollard has been banned from treating patients for heart problems after admitting he made serious mistakes during two procedures.

The Perth cardiologist may no longer perform angiograms, angioplasties and stenting procedures after accepting damning allegations, which included performing a procedure on a patient who didn't need one, failing to administer vital medication before a procedure and failing to call a resuscitation team after his patient flatlined during a botched procedure.

Dr Woollard, husband of former Alfred Cove MP Janet Woollard, has said previously he would fight any claims made against him, but is understood to have accepted responsibility following mediation at the State Administrative Tribunal earlier this month.

The tribunal ordered the reprimand be reviewed after five years and fined Dr Woollard $75,000 after he made admissions relating to the two complaints.

One involved a former colleague, Dr Gary Hastwell, who needed open-heart surgery after Dr Woollard botched the procedure.

The Sunday Times spoke last year to Dr Hastwell last year who revealed that years had been taken off his life as a result of the bungled operation, and that he now had stage-three renal failure and class-three heart failure.

The Sunday Times understands a civil action Dr Hastwell launched against Dr Woollard over the botched angioplasty at The Mount Hospital has been settled out of court.

The other complaint involves retiree Vivienne Casellas. Dr Woollard told her she had angina, but tests showed her symptoms were not consistent with the disease. She was later diagnosed as asthmatic.

The Sunday Times has obtained a copy of the tribunal's order, which is expected to be published this week.

Among the damning allegations Dr Woollard accepted are:

* that he performed an angioplasty and stenting procedure on a patient who didn't need one

* that he did not try medication first before going ahead with the procedure

* offered the patient further angioplasty procedure when it was not indicated

* failed to call an emergency resuscitation team or cardiac surgeon after his patient flatlined during a botched procedure

* failed to give the same patient crucial anticoagulant before the procedure

* performed an angioplasty on the patient despite it being contra-indicated

* failed to tell the doctor who eventually assisted that the patient had not been given the anticoagulant at the right time

* performed the stenting procedure on left main artery instead of right placing the patient at further risk

* failed to tell the patient that coronary angioplasty was contra-indicated for his coronary artery disease

Both matters were due to be heard this year but on the tribunal's website it says both were completed on June 12, 2013.

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency's website records that Dr Woollard is prohibited from performing angioplasties, angiograms and stenting procedures on the same date.

That is on top of previous conditions placed on his registration.

An interim order last year barred him from performing angioplasties without the consent of a peer review panel.

He was also found to have acted carelessly in relation to a procedure he performed on a 70-year-old patient in 2006.

The Sunday Times contacted Dr Woollard about the tribunal's order, but he declined to comment.

Teacher is the Pride of his school

Student Caitlin Largue and teacher James Whiteley, with other students from their school. Picture: Theo Fakos Source: PerthNow

HE's the man who made a difference.

When students were ready to drop out of Willetton Senior High School, they decided to try again because of him.

When one girl didn't attend classes because she had depression, he was the one who rang her at home every day to see if she was all right.

That man is maths teacher James Whiteley, whose lessons in life went way beyond the classroom.

Alexandra Ridgway, 18, credited him with turning her life around.

"As a sufferer of depression I began to withdraw," she said.

"He began to call me every day I didn't go to school ... and check how I was going."

Ms Ridgway is now studying political science at the University of WA.

Fellow student Caitlin Largue admits she wouldn't have bothered showing up for school if it wasn't for Mr Whiteley.

Amid a chronic shortage of male teachers in WA schools, the inspiring Willetton teacher has spent the past two decades proving how vital their influence can be on a student's education.

Mr Whiteley describes himself as just "one of many cogs in the wheel", but Ms Largue had no trouble drafting the help of more than 20 classmates to nominate him for Australian of the Year.

And now he's also nominated for a Pride of Australia award.

"He just made me feel so much happier at school," said Ms Largue, who is at university studying science.

"Year 12 was really hard for me. He just made us feel warm and welcome. We actually wanted to go to school."

 Kim Bowey, 17, who is studying physical education at Edith Cowan University, said: "He had a major impact on me." And Caitlin Verhaaren, 18, said: "Because of him I decided to attempt to finish high school, go to university and become a teacher to inspire other students to succeed in being their best and go for their dreams."

Nominations for the Pride of Australia program close on July 16. Now in its ninth year, the program recognises the country's unsung heroes in 10 categories, including the Inspiration Medal, an award solely for educators, and for which Mr Whiteley has been nominated.

Mr Whiteley was a maths teacher at WSHS for 19 years before taking up a position in Port Hedland.

He transferred back to Willetton two years ago to take on the role of year group co-ordinator.

"It was a big decision because I was a deputy principal up at Hedland, but I'm glad I did what I did," he said.

Mr Whiteley said it was important men were supported to continue teaching.

"I have met many male teachers who have actually left the profession," he said.

"I would really encourage them to stick with it.

"The year co-ordinating, it's those type of positions or those moments that make it all worthwhile. You can kind of grow and watch them go from awkward teenagers into adults."

For more information or to nominate someone for a Pride of Australia Medal, go to: www.prideofaustralia.com.au

These fruits are made for walking

Perth-born shoe designer Kira Goodey, putting the fruity into footwear. Banana shoes by Scarlet Fever Footwear, $1226, from www.scarletfeverfootwear.com. Stylist: Teagan Sewell. Picture: Chantel Concei Source: PerthNow

KIRA Goodey has worked on shoes for everyone from Angelina Jolie to Lady Gaga. These days she runs her own business, putting the fun, funky and even fruity into footwear.

She admits it's a pretty kooky idea - fruit shoes. But Perth expat shoe  designer Kira Goodey says she was inspired by a particularly grim winter in London. "I had tropical on the brain," Goodey says. "All I wanted was to be on a beach sipping cocktails out of pineapples."

It's not the first time Goodey's work has been inspired by food. She started her career as a costume designer for Perth company Character Creations and laughingly remembers designing a giant broccoli.

"A large part of the business was making mascots - we'd do the Eagles and Dockers mascots - but there'd also be some weird stuff like the giant broccoli and a giant burger with one eye," Goodey says.

"But I enjoyed doing that because it was quite a challenge. I mean, just working out how to make a giant broccoli that someone can be inside for hours on end. It was a great job. I had a lot of fun."

Perth-born shoe designer Kira Goodey, putting the fruity into footwear. Acne dress, $625, from Elle, Nedlands. Grapefruit shoes by Scarlet Fever Footwear, $1062, from www.scarletfeverfootwear.com. Stylist: Teagan Sewell. Picture: Chantel Concei Source: PerthNow

From costume design, Goodey then joined forces with her long-time best friend, Perth artist Tanaacé Andrews, to form local label Of Cabbages and Kings.
After she moved to London in 2008, the label ceased production, but Goodey picked up a coveted internship, print-designing for the late great Alexander McQueen - an experience she describes as "eye-opening".

"Working for a big-name designer was what I thought I wanted to do," she says. "But I didn't like the way people were treated. I didn't like how much the staff had to sacrifice of their own lives in a completely thankless environment. And I didn't like the offshore production.

"It really pushed me out of the world of fashion and into the craft/artisan world because I prefer the entire process."

In 2010 Goodey was offered a job at McQueen, but declined. And after speaking with an acquaintance who makes shoes, Goodey decided to give that a go.

Apprenticing with luxury shoemaker Paul Thomas, Goodey spent a year learning the basics. From the traditional to crazy couture, Goodey moved on to be an apprentice with celebrity shoe designer Natacha Marro, where she worked on shoes for Lady Gaga, cross-dressing English artist Grayson Perry and Hollywood star Angelina Jolie for her role in the 2014 fantasy-thriller Maleficent.

"Paul Thomas was mainly men's shoes - but he was very, very thorough," says Goodey. "And from Natacha I learnt about the crazy applications you can do.

"We had such colourful clients. Not only does she do the high-fashion stuff - a large element of her clientele is the fetish community, so you get a lot of men coming in for women's shoes. People who lead double lives. It was a lot of fun."

Perth-born shoe designer Kira Goodey, putting the fruity into footwear. Wild Horses majestic skirt, $220, and Max clutch, $99, from The Annex, Mount Hawthorn; Merge, Subiaco; and Shop 28, North Perth. Watermelon shoes by Scarlet Fever Footwear, $1226, from www.scarletfeverfootwear.com. Stylist: Teagan Sewell. Picture: Chantel Concei Source: PerthNow

Goodey says that often stars wouldn't have the time to come in for fittings, so casts had to be made and sent into the studio.

"For a long time we had a plaster cast of Lady Gaga from the waist down," she says.

"It was pretty funny and you can imagine there were a lot of very silly photos posing with the rear end of Lady Gaga."

In January this year, Goodey launched her own label, Scarlet Fever Footwear, and while she says she's exploring darker themes, she hopes to keep the fun and humour in her  designs.

"That was another consequence of my past experience. I find that a lot of people take fashion way too seriously," she says.

"It doesn't have to be serious and it doesn't have to be so deeply conceptual that visually no one could ever identify what's going on.

"I think fashion should be fun, and I think it should have a sense of humour and have a bit of a giggle. Not enough people do that."

Tragic end to search for missing woman

Police are searching for missing Walpole woman, Penny Murphy (pictured). Picture: Supplied. Source: PerthNow

POLICE are searching for missing 69-year-old Walpole woman, Penny Murphy.

Police Airwing, officers from Walpole and Albany and the Manjimup SES assisted with the search for Mrs Murphy, who was last seen by her husband about 2pm yesterday when she left their property on foot.

She was found today deceased in Walpole.

Police will now prepare a report on behalf of the Coroner.
 

Perth set for a drenching

Perth is set for a drenching this week, according to the Bureau of Meteorology. Source: News Limited

GET out your umbrellas and raincoats, it's about to get a lot wetter in Perth this week.

The Bureau of Meteorology forecasts a winter drenching this week, but there is a silver lining to the storm clouds.

Consumer groups, landscape gardeners and a national water-saving lobby group agree it's the perfect time to install a rainwater tank.

Taken a good weather picture? Send it to us at readerpics@perthnow.com.au

The Bureau of Meteorology forecasts rain for Perth and much of the South-West and south coast again today and through to at least Thursday, while temperatures in the metropolitan area will hover between 11-20C.

Today rain gauges are expected to fill up to about 15mm today, and winds will sit at about 25 to 35kmh until Wednesday.

It marks a turnaround from a dry autumn and below-average rainfall so far this winter.

This week's big wet will more than fill up newly installed tanks, according to savewater! Alliance, the agency promoting water conservation and efficiency. Spokesman Michael Smit said a tank connected to a toilet cistern and washing machine, and used for outdoor watering, could save households up to $250 a year.

Eco Building Supplies director Steve Eckert said potential tank buyers needed to consider whether the water was for garden or household use.

PERTH FORECAST

Monday 24 June
Summary: Min 12, Max 21
Partly cloudy. Isolated showers. Winds northwesterly 25 to 35 km/h.

Tuesday 25 June
Summary: Min 11, Max 19
Partly cloudy. Scattered showers until evening. Winds west to northwesterly 25 to 35 km/h turning south to southwesterly and becoming light during the day.

Wednesday 26 June
Summary: Min 10, Max 19
Partly cloudy. The chance of showers in the afternoon. Light winds.

Thursday 27 June
Summary: Min 8, Max 20
Partly cloudy. Isolated showers in the southwest during the afternoon and evening. Light winds.

Friday 28 June
Summary: Min 7, Max 19
Cloudy. Winds east to southeasterly and light.

Saturday 29 June
Summary: Min 6, Max 20
Sunny. Winds easterly and light.
 

Rise in drugs call-outs

There has been a rise in the number of ambulance call-outs for drug-related incidents. Picture: Supplied Source: PerthNow

PARAMEDICS are being called out to twice as many overdose cases as they were three years ago, with synthetic cannabis and over-the-counter drugs blamed for the increase.

Ambulance paramedics are now treating more than 100 overdose patients a month, up from about 50 cases a month in 2010.

In March there were a record 116 overdose call-outs  a 96 per cent increase on March 2010.

St John Ambulance figures show between July last year and the end of May, Perth paramedics were called to treat 1148 drug or alcohol overdose patients. That's 31 per cent up on the entire 2011-12 financial year and 93 per cent on 2010-11. Many need to be revived.

WA Drug and Alcohol Office director Gary Kirby said prescription drugs were one of the major factors in overdoses.

Head of emergency at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital Dave Mountain said there had been a big jump in people affected by synthetic cannabis  an "ongoing cause for concern as they seem to have amphetamine-type side effects as well as cannabis effects".

"Last week we treated seven patients who had overdosed on Buddah (a synthetic cannabis) which is more than usual," he said.

SJA service director Len Fiori said the latest figures were a concern.

Paramedics' union United Voice said the spike in overdoses had a "major impact".

"Our members tell us that Friday and Saturday nights are particularly hard. They don't get a chance to get a break," assistant secretary Carolyn Smith said.

Health Minister Kim Hames said: "Of course the overdose cases are concerning. However, there is nothing to suggest these are adversely impacting on SJA's ability to respond to other cases."

1000 new below market rate rentals

Minister Bill Marmion. Source: PerthNow

ONE thousand new homes will be built and rented out below market rates in a new project announced by the State Government this morning.

Housing Minister Bill Marmion announced the $48million project, saying the homes would be rented at 20 per cent below private market rates.

Mr Marmion said the homes would be built by private developers and community housing organisations. The funding will be used to subsidise rent.

"This funding will make a real difference to thousands of people looking for a place to live," he said.

"It provides homes at significantly reduced rent for those finding it difficult to find a private rental."

"This Government has already delivered more than 7,600 dwellings - this adds another 1,000 and takes us closer to the target of 20,000 additional affordable housing properties by 2020."

The Minister said the funding commitment was an important initiative to provide more rental accommodation to meet demand as Western Australia's population continued to grow.

The homes will be built under the National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS), a joint Federal/State Government scheme aimed at increasing the supply of affordable rental accommodation. 

Mr Marmion said that under the scheme the 1,000 homes must be built by June 30, 2016.

"NRAS properties are located close to public transport, schools, shops and employment hubs," he said.

Developers must lodge applications by August 22.