Category Archives: WA

An Engineer’s daughter

A personal reflection on Clough Engineering

If your mum or dad is an engineer then so much of your childhood is about the built environment.

For one thing you have to wade through photo after photo of bridges and buildings to find the one photo of you as a two year old. 

Forget it if you’re the youngest.

As kids we went to the openings of bridges as often as our friends went to the zoo.

Clip of film dad took of the construction of Stirling Bridge. This is most of an 8mm film which ends with a couple of minutes at the Perth Zoo and includes the only film of my brother as a child.

At the opening of the Stirling Bridge in 1974 for example, we got to walk through the hollow centre.  Wearing matching tracksuits we ate sausages in bread and had the railing pointed out to us.

My sister Cath and I at the opening of Stirling Bridge 1974

Have you noticed the railing ‘disappears’ as you drive past it so you can see the river?

My dad was the Project Engineer.  It was his first big project and it was not without it’s challenges.  Like the day driving down Stirling Highway he noticed the crane at an alarming angle.

It might be Stirling Bridge to you, but to me it is “Dad’s bridge”, and to my children “Grandad’s bridge”.  And yes, they will point out the cool railing.

Dad worked for Clough Engineering which this week went into insolvency having been sold by the family a decade ago. I’m feeling sentimental.

Clough built this city.

Not just Stirling Bridge, but the Narrows, and Mt Henry Bridge.

I was too young for the Narrows but I can tell you they had a hot air balloon at the Opening of Mount Henry in 1982.  Dad was Director of Engineering for that one.

See the balloon in the background? Yep that’s the family photo at the opening of Mt Henry.

They built Cinema City – remember that?  Okay perhaps not one of their more notable projects.

They built Prix d’Armour – that folly of Lang and Rosa Hancock in Mosman Park, now demolished.

And Clough built the Polly Pipe.  The Graeme Farmer Freeway tunnel under Northbridge (which always flows well in both directions).  I took my kids to the opening of that one and we walked through with thousands of others in both directions.

Walking through the Polly Pipe
And you got a certificate to prove it.

I grew up with Clough.  I worked in the library one summer. Photocopying mostly.  I even went on a date with Bill Clough, the youngest son.  My dad worked for Clough for the majority of his career, ending up as Chairman, so the company feels like family which is why I feel sad about today’s news.

But the thing about the construction industry is that you build things.  Things that last even if the company is no more so I’ll still be driving around the city that “dad built”.

And you can too.

Oh and remember to check out the disappearing railing next time you’re in Freo.

Dora Day 2 – Ennuin to Lake Ballard

What a foggy start to the day. It was like we were in a cloud when I first got up. Not that I got up early. It was about 8am. But by 9.30 it had burned off, we’d eaten a bacon and egg sanger. and we were off.

Bacon and egg sandwiches are the breakfast of champions as you well know.

Now it is true that had we gone back to Southern Cross and then to Kal and Menzies on the highway we would have got to Lake Ballard quicker, where is the fun in that. No fun at all.

So we turned right up Mt Jackson Road and followed it around til we reached the turn off to Menzies. And then – even though it was not signposted – we turned left at the Riverstone road and it took us to the lake.

Navigation win.

We’d been to Lake Ballard before. In a tent. But this was in Dora and deluxe.

Remembering to pick up some firewood on the way we set up camp between a family group and a couple from Perth. I got my girl scout on and I must say, set a bloody good fire.

Rory meanwhile got out the Weber BabyQ and set to cooking a roast chook and potatoes.

We dined like royalty and slept in.

Animals: cows and a wedge tailed eagle
People met: Deb and John
Fuel: full tank at Southern Cross on Day 1 at 2.37.

Dora – Day 1

So today Rory and I set off (finally) on our trip across Australia in my parent’s Explorer.

Yes it’s Dora the Explorer or in Explorer Motorhome Owner’s parlance #321TV Quedjinup. I know.

Rory and I in the driveway

We were supposed to leave a few days ago but Rory’s car had to go in for a service and Hugo was nearly back from Cairns so we waited.

It turned out to be a good thing really because after collecting Dora on the Wednesday we could potter about transferring our lives piece by piece into the artfully squirrel like storage units.

Of course that doesn’t mean we didn’t forget things.

Like a mug.

Or garlic.

Just putting in the family shot as well although we are leaving the littlies to housesit.

We decided to make the station our first stop.

It’s about 5 and a half hours due east and gets us to a comfortable spot, off the bitumen for our first night. Yes I’m typing this on my laptop in front of a pot belly stove with a great wifi setup. Rory is watching the Eagles.

Tomorrow night we will be truly on our own.

Dora is a very comfortable ride.

A strange week

Sunset drinks in Broome

My son went in for a pretty serious operation on Friday.

It was scary.

After three hours on the table he was weak and groggy.

This is of course not unexpected, just horrible to see when it’s your baby, your son, your brother.

He is recovering quickly. Resting a lot.

And. Finally. Home.

To distract myself this week (coincidentally) I travelled to Karratha and Broome (Monday-Thursday). That’s what I mean by a strange week.

I love travelling north.

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I didn’t wear my brand new sandshoes*.

The photo is me and Madelaine having a sunset St Clair Sav Blanc at Cable Beach.

Needless to say my exercise regime has been compromised…

Sunday: Social Rowing
Monday:
Tuesday:
Wednesday: Erg session at hotel
Thursday:
Friday: Just a lot of nervous energy
Saturday:

*the Pindan dirt would stain them in seconds flat

Rottnest holiday

Rottnest Island.

Expensive but if you are there for more than two days you fall in love all over again.
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And you truly relax.

You just have to block out how much you are spending.

Kickstart the holiday

What’s the best way to say – mate.  I’m on holidays.

For me, it’s taking off immediately for Dunsborough.  Even if it is only for a couple of nights.

Inside

We are lucky in that Mum and Dad have built down there so spur of the moment getaways are possible and yet this is the first time we’ve been down all year.

Mind you. This is my first holiday this year.

View from the bed

We had a lovely break and raced the bad weather back to Perth well rested and planning our next visit.

While down there I caught up with my sister’s blog.

She is a homeschooler – really a wholeschooler – and I am continually amazed and impressed with how she is raising her kids to be truly themselves.
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If she lived in Perth I would ask her to homeschool my kids!

I would beg her.

My niece is equally impressive. She has set up an animal rescue program to rescue dogs on death row.

How amazing is that?

What was I doing at her age?

Reading crap novels probably.

And my nephew is acting in Shakespearean plays in adult productions.

Yeah I would totally get her to homeschool my kids.

Meet me at the cactus

Close up cactus

Saw the million dollar artwork for Perth yesterday.

Perth train station

Do I love it?

Am I supposed to?

Is that the point of public art?

I’ll give it this much… it stands out.

And I kind of like that about public art.

It can’t always be tasteful and classic… a statue of the great and good… usually a white male.

Oh yes the statue of Sir Charles Court is due to be unveiled soon…

Not that I’ve got anything against Sir Charles.

I danced with him once at the Shinju Matsuri ball in Broome, and I must say he was quite light on his feet.

But we need more than a statue in Forrest Place.
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We need a statement.

Does it make a difference that the artist – James Angus – has an impressive resume.

Has his art in several state galleries and collections.

Holds a masters from Yale.

It shouldn’t.

We should take each artwork on its own merits.

We should respond to it, or not, and gauge its value by the strength of the reaction it evokes.

And on that basis, well, this has to be a triumph.

If nothing else, it is certainly a landmark.

Meet you at the cactus next time we’re in Perth.

Your shout.

 

Stand to the left Perth – and make our city better!

Warning: Rant alert

Perth Train Station at 8 in the morning

A foggy morning.

The rain splattered against the skylight in my bathroom so I knew it was raining.

Raining!

Deep happiness.

I walk into my bedroom to get changed and I can hear this weird rushing sound.

I check to see if the overhead fan is on… or maybe the reverse cycle air-conditioning.

No.

What is that weird sound?

It’s coming from outside.

I check through the blind.

Oh.

It’s the rain.

The pouring rain.

I’d forgotten what pouring rain sounded like.

Later…

The train was packed at a quarter to eight.

Standing room only.

And when we got to Perth Station the train disgorged its damp and steaming passengers into a mass of humanity.

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Does this happen anywhere else in the world?

I have only seen it in Perth.

In London, in Washington DC, in New York, in Paris – much larger populations – the commuters flow like a river, a babbling brook.

But in Perth no – every morning – a huge swell of people trying to get on the escalator.

And here’s why.

No-one stands to the left.

There is no fast moving lane to the right.

Crazy town.

It’s the same on the roads, but don’t get me started.

I would love it if someone could stand there – some official in a high viz vest and just educate my fellow commuters.

Stand to left, walk to the right.

It’s a simple message.

And couldn’t we have some posters in the trains or something?

We have posters for everything else.

C’mon Perth – it’s not that hard.

You can do it.

Seriously.

You CAN do it.

Please?

A religious moment

The Cathedral

I don’t go into churches often, except on holiday where churches are part of the tourism circuit or, you know, for weddings or funerals, but today I popped into the Bunbury Cathedral.

The new Bunbury Cathedral.

The old one was rendered unsafe by a mini-tornado in 2005 and had to be demolished.

You don’t see brand new cathedrals all that often and as I was in Bunbury I thought I’d check it out.

The windows from the outside

Rather than traditional stained glass, the Bishop has gone for more modern techniques.

Inside the glass is quite effective

The art is courtesy of Robert Juniper.  I say courtesy but I’m sure he was paid handsomely, and his signature is clearly on the artwork.

They were originally paintings which were photographed, blown up and the image inserted between panes of glass.

Much more cost effective – both initially and in terms of maintenance.

If a panel breaks you simply order another.

Close up inside

The alter piece is another Juniper piece depicting the resurrection.

This time the painting was transformed into a tapestry (made in some third world country).

Not a tyre

No signature evident here.

I did have to ask why there was a tyre in the bottom right corner didn’t I?

I guess I’ve seen too many tyres abandoned in the Australian outback.

It’s not a tyre of course, but the opening of the tomb.

My bad.

I thought it was rather a modern touch.

Ah well.

The alter

Meantime that’s Juniper in the red shirt.

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I loved the Australian-ness of it.

Inside, the Cathedral feels quite modern.

The font looks a bit like a plunge bath for the disabled and the entry isn’t as awe-inspiring as the cathedrals of Italy because you don’t go directly into the hall churchy bit.

Going past the gift shop just doesn’t feel the same.

In summary I’m not sure how I feel about it.

Or even, if I’m allowed to have an opinion.

Well it’s my blog.

So.

Some bits I liked.

I liked the alter piece (despite the tyre tomb).

I quite liked the artwork – though I didn’t like the fact that Juniper’s signature was so obvious – it just seemed a bit wrong in a church – not sure why. (unless of course it was donated then… maybe?)

I didn’t like the font or the brickwork.

Both more Uniting Church than Catholic I thought.

I did like the view – very impressive from up on the hill.

Looks less impressive in a photo

As I write this I’m wondering if I’m more fuddy duddy than I thought.

Is it my experience of old churches that is dampening my reaction.

It’s just…

It’s just I wanted to be inspired and I wasn’t.

And it left me feeling a bit disappointed.

Sigh.

Maybe if I was Catholic I’d feel differently.

After all it was made for the congregation, not me.

From the old Cathedral maybe?

Why I’m a good daughter

This is what happens if the door is left ever so slightly open

Oh I know darlings!

Enough said right?

I mean I don’t even defrost my OWN fridge so what the hell am I doing, the floors strewn with towels, trying to dislodge the wedged in drawers of my parents’ fridge?

Good daughter things.

That’s what I’m doing.

Luckily it is quite warm so the fridge is defrosting quickly, I am after all only here in Dunsborough one night before heading back to Perth to catch my plane to Sydney on Friday – exciting club!
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It’s very quiet.

Weird being here on my own.

I bought Indian takeaway (too much) and a few beers, although I’ve only drunk one (they were on special).

(Sure I hear you say… well they were $18 for 6, which is better than $6.50 for one – so what’s a girl to do)

And life feels pretty mellow.

A beer and a view of Geographe Bay