Perth
Reviewed By Janet Mawdesley January 16, 2014
Author David Whish-Wilson
Distributor:
ISBN: 9781742233673
Publisher: New South Publishers
Release Date:
Website: http://www.newsouthbooks.com.au
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On the rear cover of this book is a small piece I would like to quote from David Whish-Wilson which really sums up this remote, beautiful and unique city far better than I:
“we rarely travel far to swim, only occasionally crossing the river north, where the white sand squeaks underfoot and the champagne foam in the shallows tingles the legs. Mid-morning, before the sun passes overhead and shears off the ocean, the cirrus clouds resemble passages of perfect cursive script written in soft white lines against the bluest page. This is the picture of Perth in harmony with the stillness and space and silence that is its truest personality, the only prick of drama the spotter plane of the shark patrol crawling over the sky.”
Perth is just as it says, Perth and this is its story, rather than history, of just what it is takes that makes the place one of the more unique places in Australia to either live in or visit.
Well researched, the history takes a look at what makes this enterprising town so attractive to those who have chosen to live or visit here over the years. The story commences, as it should, with the early settlers and the establishment of the town that is now known as Perth, colourful history and all, meandering along through the years to arrive at the vibrant, multi-cultural society we live in today.
Every state will say theirs is the most unique place in Australia, and perhaps rightly so, but in the case of Perth you simply have to look at the remoteness and vastness of the State to agree that there is possibly some truth to the statement, that Perth is unique, as it is one of the most isolated Capitol cities in the world, with some naysayers spouting also the most boring. With that moniker also comes attitude. Attitude that’s says we will and can do it our way whether you like it or not.
Having grown up in Perth and lived a percentage of my adult life in Western Australia, reading this story of Perth has made me sit back and appreciate just what a unique city it is now and always has been.
The lifestyle, the culture and exactly what it has taken and meant to be able to become the modern city thousands of discerning people have come to love and enjoy, makes remarkable, interesting and in some case extremely funny reading, as we have to accept the political opinions of the relevant times.
We can shake our heads over some of the headlines of the day as reported in local papers marvelling that such a fuss could be made over so very little. Back then it was not so very little and that is what makes up the fabric of our society today.
Reading back you realise you have lived through many of these times which have come to shape the city and marvel that we people of Perth are not considered more eccentric than we are already.
Perhaps no longer considered the most boring capitol city in Australia we should all take a read of this wonderful little book, jammed packed full of the creation of this amazing place, enjoy the history and know that all who live here really do have the very best of everything as a daily part of their lives.
For people intending, or thinking about visiting Perth, grab a copy and you will find you will be unable to resist a visit to the best kept secret in Australia, Perth!
On the rear cover of this book is a small piece I would like to quote from David Whish-Wilson which really sums up this remote and unique city far better than I::
“we rarely travel far to swim, only occasionally crossing the river north, where the white sand squeaks underfoot and the champagne foam in the shallows tingles the legs. Mid-morning, before the sun passes overhead and shears off the ocean, the cirrus clouds resemble passages of perfect cursive script written in soft white lines against the bluest page. This is the picture of Perth in harmony with the stillness and space and silence that is its truest personality, the only prick of drama the spotter plane of the shark patrol crawling over the sky.”
This is also my Perth, the Perth I remember from my youth and all my returns to this wonderful city.