Echo Newspaper

SWAN business award winners have shared the lessons behind their success, from asking for help and finding their own path to simply having the courage to show up. Three recent Swan Chamber of Commerce award recipients spoke at the chamber’s September Hour of Power event. Snap Printing Midland owner Deborah Whitburn, Johnson Property Corp property consultant Tessa Johnson and Oceania Film director AJ Jayalath spoke about their personal and professional journeys.

CHIDLOW’S Karakamia Wildlife Sanctuary (KWS) recently marked 35 years of conservation work in the hills and invited Echo News to see the work being done in the area. The anniversary recently coincided with the rediscovery of the Western pygmy possum at the sanctuary, which hadn’t been seen since it was first captured at KWS in 1999. Australian Wildlife Conservancy’s (AWC) story began at Karakamia in 1991, when founder Martin Copley purchased the Perth Hills property for conservation.

A CONSERVATION Council of WA (CCWA) spokesperson says more than 158ha of eastern corridor wildlife habitat is at risk of being cleared across Swan, the Perth Hills and the Avon Valley. According to data from the CCWA, the main areas under assessment included 143ha of land in Swan, 2.44ha in Kalamunda and 24ha in Mundaring. Chittering, Toodyay and Goomalling also had 0.086ha, 0.5ha and 4.5ha of land being assessed for developments.

A NEW campaign promoting Western Australian screen industry career pathways was launched last week at the Perth Film Studios Careers Day in Whiteman. More than 15,000 Western Australians attended the Open Days over September 11 and 12 to discover how stories are brought to life on screen and were wowed by immersive experiences, entertainment, activities, demonstrations, and hands-on workshops.

GLEN Forrest writer David Harris has been shortlisted for Fremantle Press’ Hungerford Award and is in the running to win a $15,000 cash prize, a publishing contract and a fellowship for his novel Moments in Dust. The Hungerford Award is Western Australia’s most prestigious literary award for an unpublished manuscript by an unpublished writer and is now in its 35th year. Mr Harris said being shortlisted felt very significant to him.

WHEATBELT communities have a new long-term roadmap to strengthen drought preparedness and resilience, following the finalisation of the Wheatbelt regional drought resilience plan. Led by the Wheatbelt Development Commission, the plan was developed over two years in partnership with local governments, industry, Traditional Owners, community representatives and key stakeholders.

MARLISSA White from The Vines and Breanna Zoethout from Wattle Grove have won in their respective categories at the WA training awards. Ms White was named the WA School-based Apprentice of the Year for her work while completing her traineeship and Certificate II in Automotive Services Technology. She said winning the award made her very emotional.

THE Bindoon & Districts Historical Society in association with the Bindoon Farmers Market and the Northern Valleys Art Group is hosting a historic vehicle day this Sunday, September 20 at Bindoon Oval. The event is a celebration of all things historic, classic and vintage and suitable for the whole family. Bindoon & Districts Historical Society secretary Chris Waldie said attendees can expect to see around 250 cars.

REAL Estate Institute of WA (REIWA) says the property for sale listings in Perth have exceeded 7000 for the first time in more than three years. The number of Perth properties advertised for sale was 7335 at the end of August which was 7.8 per cent higher than July and 146.1 per cent higher than at the end of August 2025. The last time active listings were over 7000 was at the end of March 2023.

CHIDLOW Cougars faced off against the Mundaring Roos for the 2026 hills footy grand final. The first five minutes saw both teams settling the nerves. After an early goal each the Cougars slipped into gear. Chidlow’s Steven Schorer collected the loose ball from a centre ball up, he kicked it forward to a leading Adam McKinlay to convert his first of eight goals for the game. Roos player Clayton Thomas gave Mundaring their start with a goal.