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Obituaries

Nick Lucas, with his wife Stavroula, pictured at Nick’s Seafood at Belmont Park — an institution that served punters and patrons for over four decades.

Obituary CommentsPremiumHow a refugee grew success from faith, family and sea

Nick Lucas, the survivor and fisherman, enjoyed walking along the ocean shore and relished calm horizons, so different from the day he, in another hemisphere at times of postwar chaos, could have lost his life.

Patrick Cornish

Portrait of Senator Alan Eggleston.

ObituaryCommentsPremiumPrincipled politician who made time to listen

When doctors overseeing his training at Royal Perth tried to kick him out of medical school because of his height, Alan Eggleston refused to quit and found his way to medical colleges in London.

Dean Smith

Eileen Bond, the Perth-born icon who married colourful businessman Alan, passed away on Wednesday night.

WA NewsCommentsPremiumPerth will be a little less colourful without Red in it

Eileen Bond — the woman who was Perth’s ‘It’ girl before the town knew what an ‘It’ girl was — passed away quietly on Wednesday night, bringing an effervescent chapter in Australian history to a quiet close.

Ben Harvey

Annie Stainer at Stonehenge, 1982.

Obituary CommentsPremiumDancer gracefully shared magic and laughter

There she sits, Annie Stainer, in a long white dress, ready for the photographer. Though on this occasion stationary at Stonehenge, a few miles from her birthplace, she was often a storm of creative spectacle.

Patrick Cornish

Orana Cinemas owner Ron Siemiginowski has passed away at the age of 64.

ObituaryCommentsPremiumMusical a crowning feat in storied life

Ron Siemiginowski’s early years working in a country cinema led him to become a well-established WA cinema owner and operator, while his music prowess took him to the world stage.

Kathy Sharp and the Siemiginowski family

Duncan McInnes.

ObituaryCommentsPremiumLast known veteran of Dunkirk rescue

Duncan McInnes had to wait for his 15th birthday before he could be accepted into the Royal Navy. He was trained as a wireless telegraphist and would bear witness to many pivotal moments in World War II.

Phil Harrison

Alastair MacKendrick.

ObituaryCommentsPremiumPushed to improve remote ear health

Alastair Mackendrick lived with tremendous enthusiasm and energy in all aspects of his personal and professional life. And his parties were legendary.

Harvey Coates AO with Pamela Gabriels

Bridgetown farmer and businessman Noel Holdsworth. Credit: supplied

ObituaryCommentsPremiumHeartbeat of the town he cherished

During 28 years of owning the Bridgetown newsagency with wife Bev, Noel Holdsworth would often start his day at 4.30am wrapping and delivering newspapers.

Rourke Walsh

Denis O’Meara.

ObituaryCommentsPremiumAdded flourishes of green to gold streak

Ready for a new job in his beloved bush, Denis O’Meara checked his open-air Wolseley car. Water, check. Food, check. Adored pet, check.

Patrick Cornish

Bert Harrison.

ObituaryCommentsPremiumMan of the course who moulded winners

Bert Harrison was never one-dimensional. He was a man of faith, family and community involvement, although primarily he will always be associated with racing.

John Elsegood

Janet Powell.

ObituaryCommentsCivic-minded sports fan rallied for causes

With table tennis bat in hand, Janet Powell was a fighter for points. When a different sort of battle loomed in connection with the sport of lawn bowls, as a Belmont city councillor she was up for it.

Patrick Cornish

Keith Slater.

ObituaryCommentsPremiumTrue all-rounder who got priorities right

“You cannot combine both cricket and football,” said newly appointed Swan Districts captain-coach Haydn Bunton to a 25-year-old Keith Slater in 1961.

Rick Vredenbregt

Larry Foley.

ObituaryCommentsPremiumCast discerning eye wherever he looked

Larry’s innate ability to recognise the extraordinary led him to purchase the painting Golden Summer, Eaglemont by Arthur Streeton — first shown to Larry from behind the sofa of the family he bought it from.

Kathleen Foley & Dora Foley

David Booth.

ObituaryCommentsPremiumHow a visit to Vietnam inspired dental aid

David Booth made notable contributions to clinical dentistry and dental research, and founded the non-profit Children’s Health Aid Team.

Lena Lejmanoski

Ron Leeson.

ObituaryCommentsPremiumFight for workers led to Upper House

Ronald Thomas Leeson was known for his commitment to his constituents and his contributions to Western Australian political life, marked by quiet service, leadership and advocacy.

Peter Dowding SC

Penny Flett in 2013.

Obituary CommentsPremiumCare trailblazer who dared to dream big

Dr Penny Flett AO shaped the aged-care and disability sectors with unwavering advocacy, leaving a legacy of dignity, service and profound kindness.

Brightwater Care Group

Clarrie Grimmett and Basil Rigg at WACA, 1946.

ObituaryCommentsPremiumAll-round brilliance bowled them over

Basil Rigg was the last surviving member of WA’s winning 1947-48 Sheffield Shield cricket team in its first season in the competition. He was also the most versatile member of a prominent sporting family.

Peter Kennedy

Gordon Grant.

ObituaryPremiumSpoke his truth to power with passion

Cornet, trombone, French horn . . . as an army bandsman Gordon Grant was a versatile musician. There was, however, another instrument in his repertoire, figuratively speaking — he was a whistleblower.

Patrick Cornish

David Bockman.

ObituaryCommentsPremiumDoctor was calm and caring in tough situations

After completing a medical qualification Doctor David Bockman gained a diploma in tropical medicine and health at the University of Adelaide, as a route to curing and caring in Papua New Guinea.

Patrick Cornish

Geoffrey Mullins.

ObituaryPremiumBrought care to kids at home and abroad

Paediatric intensive care could be considered a very new specialty in the 1970s and Geoffrey Mullins can rightly be considered one of its pioneers.

Dr Alan Duncan AM

Jerry Packington.

ObituaryCommentsPremiumLove for music on flip side of the law

‘The beer I had for breakfast wasn’t bad, so I had one more for dessert.’ Many recognise this line from Sunday Morning Coming Down. Many Perth radio listeners know it as the title of a stalwart weekend program.

Patrick Cornish

Marjorie Coleman.

ObituaryCommentsPremiumFollowed threads of natural imagination

Marjorie Coleman spent her early years on a farm overlooking Wilson’s Inlet. In this rich environment her imagination flourished, laying the foundations for a creative life.

Wendy Lugg

Jeanann Barbour in her Albany home in December, 2024.

community angelPremiumAlbany bids farewell to community icon with ‘heart of gold’

Jeanann Barbour, known throughout the Albany community for her giving nature and steadfast support of local events and charities, passed away peacefully at her home on March 1, at the age of 82. 

Jacki Elezovich

Ted Kilmurray at his induction into the WA Football Hall of Fame in 2006.

ObituaryCommentsPremium‘Square’ excelled at football and in life

Ted Kilmurray was born on the mud floor of a hessian lean-to on a station outside Wiluna, and was destined to become a WA football legend.

John Elsegood