family visit

Some good Rottnest pics here to soothe lovers of the beautiful island during the hideous intense unrelenting mainland heat.

Snaps include a quokka on the beach, the interior of a ferry heading back to civilisation at 9pm and a Pinky panorama.

The author/s have trouble with spelling Thomson Bay correctly, and indulge in apo abuse, but the pics are the thing.

forget Vegas or KP

For those brides-to-be distressed by CHOGM cramping wedding style in Kings Park, there's always the beautiful island.

We happened on this PDF pushing Aristos: the Bunbury-born Mr Papandroulakis has an "extravagent range of affordable hospitality packages" for your nuptials.

He even spells Thomson Bay right: "Imagine spending your wedding within metres of the breathtaking Thomson Bay as your guests dine on only the finest quality seafood. Aristos Waterfront Rottnest specialises in creating a unique and relaxed dining experience that will ensure an unforgettable day."

He's a can-do host, but there are some things even he can't shift: "Weather permitting, we can seat 200 people, however our outside table are fixed to the floor and cannot be rearranged."

In our view prices are more than reasonable: the house white is $32 a bottle, and Fat Yak, Big Helga and Stella are a mere $10 each.

"Allow Aristos Waterfront the opportunity to help you turn Rottnest into your very own island getaway while you ease into enjoying your new life together."

best job

We are grateful to Paul 'Fremantlebiz' Weaver for alerting us via Stalkbook to this job ad:

Ranger Full Time, Permanent, Level 3 Rottnest Island (Residential).

Residential! Living on the beautiful island...escaping the ragged heat of the mainland...fishing every day...going to - oh, stop it. The torment!

The details:
Implementation of the Marine & Terrestrial Reserve’s compliance program
Participation in environmental projects
Assisting emergency services
Provision of information, knowledge and advice to visitors, island residents and other local groups.

The money: $55,913 - $60,707 p/a

The RIA wants you to have:
Demonstrated practical experience as a Ranger in a related or similar setting, including experience in statutory investigation and reporting.
Well developed interpersonal skills and a strong customer focus, with proven negotiation and conflict resolution skills in a compliance setting.
Demonstrated initiative and decision-making ability in high-pressure situations.
Practical experience in natural resource management activities.
Current “C” Class Licence.
Possess or have the ability to attain, prior to appointment, recognised recreational SCUBA qualifications. (The successful applicant will require an AS2299 current Dive Medical clearance for scientific diving (SCUBA) )
Possess or have the ability to attain, prior to appointment, Current Senior First Aid certificate and recognised qualification in Oxygen Resuscitation.

Get those applications in by January 21

tragic history

"Three hundred and seventy two Aboriginal prisoners are still buried on Wadjemup/Rottnest. They were imprisoned for crimes such as spearing a sheep."

We are grateful to the City of Melville for the heads-up on an artisitc event about the beautiful island.

The venue is Applecross, but the subject is Rottnest’s tragic past as a place of imprisonment and death for Aboriginal men...

The Quod Project is a multidisciplinary art exhibition by Non-Indigenous Artist Tania Ferrier about The Quod – a building that is better known as the tourism accommodation called the Rottnest Lodge.

South Fremantle Artist Tania Ferrier said unearthing the history of Rottnest (or Wadjemup as it is referred to by Noongar people) was an emotional experience.

“It is estimated that 373 Aboriginal prisoners died on Wadjemup/Rottnest and five of these people were executed by hanging. Three hundred and seventy two Aboriginal prisoners are still buried on Wadjemup/Rottnest. They were imprisoned for crimes such as spearing a sheep,” Ferrier said.

Historian Dr Neville Green was a source for Ferrier and in his book Far from home – Aboriginal Prisoners of Rottnest Island 1838 to 1931 Dr Green states that the number of Aboriginal men who died on the island makes it the largest deaths in custody site in Australia.

“This is Australia’s colonial history but you don’t hear about it because it’s actively suppressed,” Ferrier said.

The Quod Project is significant in size and includes a range of mediums from photographs and paintings to video and installations. Fortunately, for the purpose of the exhibition, three patients’ rooms inside the Heathcote gallery mirror the layout of the cells in The Quod.

One of the installations is a life-size cell which is based on research of the appearance of a Quod cell prior to it being turned into a holiday unit. The installation is accompanied by recordings of Indigenous Elders reading from texts about actual conditions in the cells.

In collaboration with James Kerr, Ferrier has produced approximately 25 large format photographic prints, as well as a series of digital prints on canvas that are re-worked archival Wadjemup/Rottnest tourist posters.

The exhibition included the involvement of Indigenous Elders Cedric Jacobs and Noel Nannup, who modelled for the photographs and added their voices to recordings.

For a photograph called ‘Ascension’, Indigenous dancer Michael Smith chose to interpret the history of The Quod by creating a dance called ‘Wardong Wadjemup’, which translates to Rottnest Crow. The crow embodies the spirit of the dead prisoners as Michael leaps, flies upward, ascends and sets their spirits free.

“Ascension transcends The Quod Project and speaks for Indigenous youth in prison today. It speaks for the past that has affected the present,” Ferrier said.

A series of small oil paintings called ‘Diatribes’ juxtapose images of Ferrier’s family holiday history at The Quod with images from the Rottnest Quod Penal history.

City of Melville Curator Soula Veyradier said, “I find the untold histories of the place both fascinating and extremely sad. But The Quod Project is ultimately positive because this public presentation and discussion means that we, as a community and a place, will know ourselves better.”

“I expect a range of responses to the exhibition from the very positive to denial of the damage done to the Aboriginal community.

“The Quod Project exposes hidden history and holds up a mirror to ourselves; are we responsible for our ignorance?”

The Quod Project will be opened by the Manager of Artsource’s Regional and Indigenous Development program Ron Bradfield (Jnr) at the Heathcote Museum and Gallery on Friday, 21 January from 6.00pm. People are invited to RSVP to the opening by Tuesday, 18 January 2011 to claire.bushby@melville.wa.gov.au or phone 9364 5666.

The free exhibition will be open to the public from Saturday, 22 January to Sunday, 27 February 2011.

An Artist’s Forum with Artist Tania Ferrier, Writer Josephine Wilson and Indigenous Elder Noel Nannup will be held on Sunday, 20 February from 1.00pm to 3.00pm.

The Heathcote Museum and Gallery is located at Heathcote Cultural Centre, Swan House, Duncraig Road in Applecross. Gallery hours are Tuesday to Friday 10.00am to 3.00pm, Saturday and Sunday 11.00am to 3.00pm.

For further information contact 9364 5666 or visit www.melvillecity.com.au/facilities/museums

no neoprene

The epic and glorious event that is the Rottnest Channel Swim looms.

The great day is February 26: alas, international commitments mean Rotto Bloggo will not be in (or even on) the water next month.

But we were grateful for this update from the RCSA site...

This is a notice to advise that under clause 22 of the Constitution, the Rottnest Channel Swim Association Committee at the Committee Meeting on 30 November 2010 amended By-law 1. Final confirmation of the Committee Meeting Minutes will take place at the next Committee Meeting to be held on 14 December 2010, however the Committee wishes to inform and advise Members that By-Law 1 which governs the use of swim wear and artificial swimming aids has been amended and approved to be in force with immediate effect. For ease of reference, By-Law 1 reads as follows:

In any Rottnest Channel swim attempts, no swimmer shall use or be assisted by artificial aids of any manner. Swimmers are permitted to grease the body before a swim, use goggles, wear a maximum of two caps, nose clip and earplugs. Swimmers must wear one bathing suit that does not contain neoprene, rubber or any other material that aids buoyancy and complies with FINA’s Rules for Open Water Swimming with the exception that until 28 February 2012 the bathing suit may be a swim skin of any brand, or the pointzero3 or nero swim suit made by Blueseventy. In addition to one bathing suit that complies with this rule, swimmers may wear one rash vest or stinger suit made of porous textile material (such as nylon or lycra), which does not extend beyond the ankles, the neck or the wrist.

jetty jitters

More wholesome news of the beautiful island from POST Newspapers...we've since heard a rumour the jetty problems might be something to do with ferry wash.

One of the pics shows bricks to be used as reinforcements below the waterline.

A CHUNK OF the ferry jetty at Rottnest Island was cordoned off last week while repairs were made to the structure and the sea bed.

Island authorities were tight-lipped about the reason for the work, but holiday-makers said there was a problem with the sea bed.

A Rottnest Island Authority spokeswoman would not answer questions about how the damage happened or how much of the jetty was roped off.

A holiday maker said a worker told her the damage happened a few days before Christmas.

“He said something happened to the sea bed and divers were fixing it with white bricks,” she said.

“He said whatever happened caused the collapse of part of the jetty.”

About 50m of the jetty was cordoned off while the repairs were made.

Another holiday maker said it looked as though something big and heavy had been dropped onto the side of the jetty.

“Berth 2 has been closed to facilitate the works and ferry operators moved to other berths,” The RIA spokeswoman said.

“This will have no impact on ferry schedules.”

they love it

This from that journal of record, POST Newspapers...the ferry company announced it was doing online bookings and special deals...

Adam Wootton and Allison Chapple are the winners of the Rottnest Express family ferry ticket passes.

The POST was inundated with entries: all spoke of people's deep attachment to Rottnest.

Mr Wootton, of Wembley, wrote: “When I was young I was a Scout and we would go camping on Rottnest every year to participate in island rubbish clean up.

“While there we not only were able to help make the island a pristine example of an isolated, under- developed environment but we also got to explore the whole of the island hunting down trash that had drifted.

“These were the best days of my life and whenever I return to the island I feel young again as I associate Rottnest with these cherished childhood experiences.

“Now I have grown up and had two children of my own I hope to finally take them there to experience the joy of snorkelling in The Basin, riding across the island to the light houses or exploring the underground gun batteries tunnels whilst learning about our history.

“So to me the island is almost a fountain of youth and that is why I love it.”

Ms Chapple, of Subiaco, said it was where her children learned to ride a bike, fell down the cliffs, discovered salt water showers and experienced a TV-less week.

“All that with the joy of missing school to go on the cheap in June,” Ms Chapple said.

juvie

Thomson Bay? Pinky's? Baghdad Lake?

We wish this superb photo had more accompanying info.

Our sources thought we would be delighted with a pic of a Rotto bird - and we yield to none in our joy at a sharp image of a juvenile Banded Lapwing (aka Vanellus tricolor).

It was papped a couple of weeks ago, but the exact location is not revealed.

This is a juvenile, of course.

Even though we are marooned in a western suburb, we can shut our eyes and pretend to hear "er-chill-chaar-char".

Flickr image here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/grahameb/5297410116/ Juvenile Banded Lapwing

oh Aunty

We are grateful for any news of, about or near the beautiful island - but sometimes our patience is tested.

If the ABC was writing that intro, they might have said: "...our patients is tested".

The intro to this 7.30Reportland item: "An increasing number of shark sightings in Western Australia is raising alarm bells".

Clumsy! Then:

"A number of shark sightings have raised alarm bells and forced the evacuation of Perth's popular Trigg Island Beach."

Ouch! A bit further on:

"Since those attacks, there's been a spate of sightings. The site of this whale carcass feeding frenzy off Rottnest Island has only further fuelled Perth's shark fears."

Aaarghh!

Accompanying pic from this Rotto Bloggo yarn in 2008.

Long way

The beautiful island seen from the Scarborough heat haze...we know
where we'd rather be...

cocaz!

Rotto Bloggo wishes our army of readers a Merry Xmas.

Except those...acquaintances there right now who will be toasting tomorrow with sparkling and pulling on WC Eagles crackers.

We loves these Santa hats and strange spellings from this crowd:

'Amazing week-end with some friends ! A beautiful island as if we can’t see all. I have discovered new animals, like the cocaz, a mix between a rat and a kangourou but much more cute than a rat, and also huge pelican, but no dolphins this time. We slept on the beach looking at the stars, we have done a fire on the sand :) Awesome !!!!'

ironing board at WT!

These auto-generated sites are poetry: this is from HotelsFirst.com - "Search, Review, Reserve in Seconds".

'Rottnest Lodge nightly rates from $314.03 USD $314.03 USD lowest price guaranteed!
If you find a lower publicly available rate online for the same dates, hotel, and room category, we will match the price and refund you the difference.
Select a Room & Rate
Kitson Street |View MapRottnest Island, WT
Location.
This lodge is located in Rottnest Island. The Basin is an area attraction.
Features.
Dining options at Rottnest Lodge include a restaurant and a bar/lounge.'

There's a map, and it helpfully points out the Cohunu Koala Park is 30.2 miles away.

Need to get to a Nearby Airport? Perth Entertainment Centre (PEC) is 18.7 miles away.

'Clock radio Ceiling fan Balcony Iron/ironing board Hair dryer Dial-up Internet access Phone Television'.

HotelsFirst.com is powered by Mint on a Pillow.

Island graffiti

Mural at Shenton Park train station showing the view from a Freo
train...

agog over Gage Roads

Action, drama, intensity: no, not the WACA or Julian Assange's life or even Operation Unite: it's all happening (or allegedly happening) on the beautiful island.

"A Perth magistrate wants an independent agency to investigate the officer-in-charge of Rottnest police station after finding the off-duty sergeant was the "aggressor" in a bar melee on the island," The West reports.

The Rottnest Island Authority is looking for a new Chief Information Officer: the gig pays $95,301 - $102,144.

The man (or woman) in the hot seat will be "...required to drive and implement ongoing transformational change, including transforming business systems, infrastructure, processes and technology into an integrated platform that meets organisational and business management, and reporting requirements."

What else? Kitesurfing! That French kite bullet has done it again, according to surfertoday.com: "Alex Caizergues stormed the inaugural Red Bull Lighthouse to Leighton kitesurfing, held at Fremantle, Western Australia. The 32-year-old pro kiteboarder crossed the 19km Indian Ocean course in only 24 minutes and 34 seconds, around half the time of a typical voyage on the Rottnest Express ferry at an average speed of over 20 knots."

Lillee likes

"Rottnest is superb, too. It's a car-free island, a 30-minute ferry ride from Fremantle. Again, it's great for snorkelling and is very popular with anglers. Huge schools of samson (sambo as the locals call them) make the island one of the best metro fishing spots in Australia. Fishing gear can be hired or bought at Rottnest Adventure Centre, the General Store in Thomson Bay, and the Geordie Bay Store."

So says Dennis 'Drummy Tiles' Lillee - and Rotto Bloggo approves.

His boosting of the beautiful island is disturbingly more than half-way through a paean to Perth and WA - but we'll take it.

DK says this (do you reckon he really did?): "here's been an explosion of great coffee shops in the last 10 years. There's a strip of really good ones alongside Victoria Park. Epic (epicespresso.com.au), on Hay Street, in West Perth, is very good. Zekka is exceptional, too. It's located on King Street in Perth's West End, where many of the boutique shops are. Zekka offers a wide variety of teas, too."

we can make sandwiches

"We can make sandwiches/You can be the bun/And I can be the burger girl..."

Many thanks to the Detroit Grand Pubahs for today's intro...

You have to be quick: this popped up in our Woogle Alert today...

Sandwich hand Required Rottnest Bakery
Rottnest Island, WA
Can commute We pay for Ferry or live on this wonderful island. Excellent rate of pay and up to 40 hrs a week Must be able to follow instructions and be self...
From Gumtree AU - 21 days ago email - more...

We clicked, but it seems to have vanished. Post filled?

The link said there were/are 42 bakery job on Rottnest AU - we know the peak festive season is looming, but come on...

labels food

'They say, nothing lasts forever. Dreams change, trends come and go; but friendships, never go out of style.'

Rotto Bloggo endorses the above - especially when it is accompanied by pix of food about to be eaten on the beautiful island.

Blogger 13.W.H.Y.S? has posted sharp images of various Dome meals: the eggs hollandaise look scrumptious and there is plenty of butter for everyone.

There is no text to say when this nosh was consumed (spookily reminiscent of the recent pics of the "JD Set" without a review), but judging by Boon Hun's post it could have been Saturday.

We hope they finished up with a snotblock from the bakery.

Bon appetit!

delightful above all others

'IF YOU TELL a Perth man that an explorer William Vlaming (sic) described Rottnest Island as a “terrestrial paradise” he’s likely to say: “I don’t know about that mate, but if you want to get away from it all, don’t mind roughing it a bit, Rotto’s the place".'

We are indebted to Fremantlebiz for posting Vincent Serventy's words from a 1971 Walkabout.

'He is almost not certainly thinking of beauty, but of times he’s had there. He probably caught his first fish there; undoubtedly caught a girl. He drank his first beer there, didn’t wear a shirt, smell an exhaust fume or want to go home.'

The defunct mag, which Fre-biz acquired for a song, has accompanying Richard Woldendorp pix.

'But a memory of beauty must filter in amongst these more earthy recollections. For the island is a lovely place. Long beaches reach to grey headlands. Beyond the first is another and another, blinding white, and edged with sparkling green and blue seas...'

in line not online

More news of the beautiful island from today's POST.

This is still on the RIA's site: "If difficulties are encountered, you are requested to call the RIA Central Reservations on (08) 9432 9111 to make your booking."

Rottnest diehards who queued for December 2011 bookings this week had the last laugh
when the island’s online accommodation system crashed.

People who slept outside the Rottnest Island Authority‘s Fremantle
office secured their holidays.

But people who tried to book via computer were confronted with a dancing quokka and error messages.

They were told to use the phone.

Pam O’Connell bedded down on Sunday night and was 14th in the queue.

“Some people arrived on Thursday and slept here six nights before bookings opened on
Wednesday,” she said.

She said the 40 people in the queue said they had made the right choice.

“In line is better than online,” one laughed.

were they there?

Clicking through photos of last weekend's "JD Set" on the beautiful island was disappointing.

There are musos, of course, but not enough Rottnest background.

We thought we saw a lighthouse - but it turned out to be the top of someone's water bottle.

The best one shows a fair expanse of blue Thomson Bay and a baffled security goon.

We like the proctology shot, too.

The site is the AU review - we were there.

The photos are there - but where is the review?