Smithson Planning

12/10/2026

Key Result Areas for a Western Democracy heading to elections - are you a believer.

12/10/2026

There’s nothing like an election slogan that cuts straight to the point - WA 2028 & 2029.

SOMETHING IS DESPERATELY WRONG!

1 in 3 West Australian households experienced food insecurity last year.

That’s not people 'doing it a bit tough right now’. That’s the complete failure of our economic system to deliver the basic fairness that allows a society to function.

Add your voice - and a selfie - to the call for change at noplaceforpoverty.org.au/selfie-wall.

12/10/2026

Just another reason to change the Government in 2028 & 2029 - now that really would be a WA Bicentennial celebration.

The front page of Tuesday's The West Australian.

12/10/2026

12/10/2026

Australia - the tyranny of regional indifference.

11/10/2026

Post Newspapers - 10 Oct 2026 - Mergers a dud deal : Studies on recent Australian merger programs are unani- mous that these programs did not meet their intended aims,” wrote Professor Brian Dollery, an economist and former head of the University of New England’s Centre for Local Government ..... he comprehensively rejected the idea of WA mergers as a panacea for councils’ woes after a study : a paper he published in 2021 argued there was “no empirical evidence” that council mergers in WA would deliver any savings or other measurable benefits - however, the article provides an excellent photo of North Fremantle, Mosman Park and the North Wharf of Fremantle Ports circa 1965.

11/10/2026

Theatre 180 - 31 Oct 2026 - 140 years after Woodman Point Quarantine Station first opened, THEATRE 180 brings one of its most extraordinary chapters back to life : staged in the very place it happened ..... this year marks the 140th anniversary of Woodman Point Quarantine Station, a special place steeped in stories of courage, sacrifice, isolation and survival : now you have the chance to experience one of its most extraordinary chapters, performed on the heritage site itself - 'In Their Care' tells the story of the HMAT Boonah (A36) tragedy of 1918, when the Australian troopship returned to Fremantle from Durban, South Africa, carrying hundreds of soldiers infected with Spanish influenza .... the Boonah was the last Australian troopship to leave Fremantle during World War I : and after the Armistice was announced, she turned for home, but the outbreak of Spanish flu tore through her crowded decks.

By the time the ship reached Fremantle, more than 300 cases had been reported on board, the yellow flag was flying, and the ship was diverted to Woodman Point, where the sickest soldiers transferred to the remote Quarantine Station ..... by the end of the crisis, 27 soldiers and four nurses had died at the facility - and that was just one of many around the nation & the world.

Among those who answered the call were nurses who knowingly risked their own lives to care for the sick and dying ..... their courage and devotion sit at the heart of this production - performed in an intimate readers-theatre style and with a focus on words, music, powerful performances and evocative historical imagery, this new play brings to life an important and little-known part of Western Australia’s history.

Season begins OCT 31 - NOV 8 : Proudly sponsored by the State Government of WA, in association with the Friends of Woodman Point.

11/10/2026

Cottesloe Mosman Post - 10 Oct 2026 p52 - Australia's submarines from go to now : the Royal Australian Navy's submarines will be the topic of a talk to be presented on 19 Oct 2026 in Claremont ..... Garry Coombe will give a talk titled 'Australian Submarines : AE1 to AUKUS', when the WA Branch of the Naval Historical Society meets next.

07/10/2026

The WA Bicentennial 2026-27-29-31 celebrations for Albany, Fremantle, Perth & Western Australia - taking Anzac to the next AUKUS level in defence history …. A remarkable contribution to State development over the past 200 years.

OPEN DAY! 15th November. Donation for entry. Come and visit the Army Museum of WA. There is lots to see on our Open Day, including the 10th Light Horse troop, volunteers in period uniforms, a special Remembrance Day display, second hand book sale, the Army Band and more! Put it in your diary.