Jimmy ‘Banjo’ MacKenzie sat in his wooden humpy at the back of the hotel in Gwalia. He was proud that in the incredible mess that was his kitchen everything was electric. That meant a lightbulb and a can opener. In another room was a fridge and an air-conditioner. The electricity for the small luxuries was donated by the managers of the local mine, Sons of Gwalia. Even with the air-conditioner on an old thermometer was recording 45°. Crouching as he did on a chair, with his knees under his chin, he proclaimed everything he needed was within easy reach. When … Continue reading ‘Spuds, Onions and a Treacle Tin With the Lid Off’

Hundreds of artists will be in the Peel region this weekend for the annual Plein Air Down Under Festival. Coinciding with the month-long Mandurah Arts Festival, Plein Air Down Under involves artists of all levels.  Keen painters were also out earlier in the month for the 23rd International Plein Air Painters Worldwide Paint Out on September 6. Plein air painting follows a tradition begun in the 1800s and has been growing in popularity in recent years, particularly since 2020. A few years back a group of plein air painters were very welcoming of an impromptu visit by Reporters while painting … Continue reading En Plein Air

There are things money cannot buy. We have no real idea what they are but sometimes they nudge you when they’re least expected.  Travelling light on a small budget with no plans other than to enjoy sunshine, fresh air and cold beer, not necessarily in that order, leaves many doors open for aimless travellers. Booking a cheap flight at random can be fun. It’s how I discovered Marco Inn, a small hotel with eight rooms – four up, four down and less than a minute’s walk from the town’s beach if you take your time.  Marco’s is dead centre in … Continue reading Breakfast With A Hummingbird

My favourite place to sit and reflect is under a wide open sky by the coast. In the Peel region it’s a beach lookout built by a local family in memory of their teenage daughter. Facing west I look over the ocean at what seems like ‘forever’. A simple turn eastwards and the vast sky overshadows suburban mansions, especially when there’s an approaching change in the weather. A reminder of the fragility of humanity. Photograph and words © Danielle Berryman 2025 Continue reading

A daydream in the Reporters’ office is to own a vintage motorbike – preferably a stylish Cafe Racer – so it was natural for us to live vicariously by visiting an annual Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride (DGR). Strolling around Melaka in Malaysia on an overcast Sunday, we were seduced by the growl of powerful engines from a throng of more than 120 motorbikes outside a popular riverside cafe. Local devotees were joined by riders from Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya and beyond. From pre-teens to octogenarians, the riders’ eclectic regalia ran the gamut from pressed flannelette shirts to velvet smoking jackets; … Continue reading Revving With A Cause

Iconic. End of an era. A sign of the times. A lot of cliches fit the final day of Mandurah’s King Carnival and it’s tempting to use them all. Plenty were used in the lead-up to the carnival’s last day of trading, … Continue reading The Carnival Is Over!