Irish Scene Vol 24 - ISSUE 4 (Flipbook)

ITHERISH 2022 • VOLUME 24 ISSUE 4 • FREE Registered with Australia Post PP100003914 Crisis support: SCENE 0403 972 265 www.irishscene.com.au 13 11 14 D U B L I N CALLING ANTHONY ALBANESE the home of quality meats.



Advertiser Directory Contents ACCOUNTANTS & TAX AGENTS 9 DJ Gordon & Associates................... 9321 2266 Australia Irish Heritage BEAUTICIAN 92 Sharon Nolan Brows & Beauty....... 0498 980 987 Association..........................................91 BUTCHERS 96 McLoughlin’s Meats........................... 9249 8039 Australia’s ‘Irish’ Prime Minister’s...10 47 Meat Connoisseur............................... 9309 9992 Bill Daly.............................................. 86 ELECTRICAL 11 Powerbiz Electrical............................. 045 12 555 13 Bloomsday 2022 @Irish Club.......….14 Book Reviews.....................................74 EVENTS, ENTERTAINMENT & 65 Frank Murphy Celtic Rambles......... 107.9fm Catalpa Monday 2023...................….44 RADIO 30 Fiddlestick ................................David 0413 259 547 Claddagh Seniors…........................... 50 21 Torc Ceili Club Damn Yankee Whalers…...................46 63 St Brigid’s Festival Imbolc Feast Darkness into Light…....................... .89 93 St Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival Dublin Calling: Albo’s Irish punk past…...................................4 FUNERALS 76 McKee Funerals.................................. 9401 1900 Famine Commeroation Subiaco........79 IMMIGRATION & TOURISM 7 EasiVisa ............... Carol-Ann Lynch 9429 8860 GAAWA Junior Academy…...............94 IRISH COMMUNITY GROUPS 57 Aust Irish Heritage Assoc................ 9345 3530 Gaelic Football & Hurling..................92 G’day from Gary Gray....................….62 67 Bodhran Group Lessons................... 0457 362 338 G’day from Melbourne.................... ..54 39 IACC ..................................................... 1300 513 633 Honorary Irish Consulate...............….15 77 Irish Families in Perth “I’m half Irish, half Italian, Mate!”...6 68 The Claddagh Assoc.......................... 9249 9213 Irish Theatre Players........................ ..81 IRISH FOOD & CAFES 17 Clonakilty Many are called, few are chosen...….13 MECHANICS 1 Killarney Autos .......................... Neil 0439 996 764 Martin O’Meara VC…........................32 MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT 87 Stephen Dawson................................. 9172 2648 Memory man Joe Graham…..............72 PROPERTY MAINTENANCE 13 Housemaster Building Inspections. 0405 632 391 Michael Collins assassination…........66 89 Integrity Property Solutions............. 0423 618 506 Out & About…....................................76 PUBS, CLUBS & RESTAURANTS 15 Durty Nelly’s, Perth............................ 9226 0233 Paddy Malones Xmas fun…...............64 15 Galway Hooker, Scarborough Paula from Tasmania..........................77 49 Irish Club of WA, Subiaco................ 9381 5213 Perth Rose of Tralee Ball…................59 34 Jarrah Bar, Hillarys............................. 9246 4112 Politics…............................................ .36 27 JB O’Reillys, West Leederville........ 9382 4555 Rifles fired up Dublin punk scene......8 2 Paddy Malone’s, Joondalup............. 9300 9966 Shamrock Rovers…......................... ..60 31 Ric O’Shea’s @ The Beaconsfield 6226 9240 Shane by Noel O’Neill…................. ..80 53 The National Hotel, Fremantle........ 9335 6688 Traditional Irish Dance.................... .82 48 Woodbridge Hotel, Guildford.......... 9377 1199 Ulster Rambles................................. .84 SOLICITORS & LEGAL 61 Kavanagh Lawyers............................. 9218 8422 Tralee Roses glow and grow…...........24 14 Vibe Legal............................................ 6111 4890 Winners are Grinners SPORT & SPORTING CLUBS 92 GAA ..................................................... 0458 954 052 Dave Callan interview…......................18 90 Shamrock Rovers................................ 0410 081 386 TRANSPORT & FREIGHT 30 AI Express............................................ 9243 0808 TRAVEL & TOURISM 67 British Travel........................................ 9433 3288 TYRES, BATTERIES, BRAKES ETC 13 Tyrepower Perth City ...............Fiona 9322 2214 ITHERISH SCENE ADVERTISING: Imelda Gorman 0450 884 247 Email: [email protected] www.irishscene.com.au EDITOR: Lloyd Gorman 0479 047 250 Email: [email protected] PUBLISHER: Canal Walk Media Disclaimer: Opinions expressed by contributors in articles, reproduced articles, advertisements or any other printed material contained in Irish Scene magazine or on www.irishscene.com.au are those of the individual contributors or authors and as such are not necessarily those of Canal Walk Media. The publisher and editor reserve the right to accept, reject, edit or amend submitted material in order to make it appropriate or suitable for publication. Irish Scene welcomes submissions, ideas and suggestions for articles and features as well as photographs of events happening around and within the Irish community in Western Australia.

D ALBO’S IRISH PUNK PAST U BY LLOYD GORMAN B L I N CALLING Dublin 1988. Photo: E.A. Kennedy/BrandNewRetro.ie A hip Anthony Albanese. I n 1988 as Dublin celebrated a thousand years since its foundation as a Viking settlement the city’s underground music scene was a swarm of rowdy and raw punk rock energy - and a young Anthony Albanese was there in the thick of it. In fact it is exactly thirty four years ago this month since ‘Albo’ – then 25 – was at large and on the loose in Dublin. At the time the Irish capital was a very different place to the metropolis and tourist mecca it is today. Alan Parkers’ hit film The Commitments was released in 1991 – but based on the 1987 Roddy Doyle novel of the same name – and captured that sense of the city on the brink of the economic revival that became known as the Celtic Tiger. High unemployment saw long queues at dole offices, urban decay meant many buildings in and around the city centre were falling down or boarded up and a heroin epidemic swept through the community. The young Aussie may have only been passing through but he was there long enough to sample 4 | THE IRISH SCENE

Anthony Albanese some of the subversive punk counter a part of CIE. In culture that kicked back against to this grim fact this logo was environment. introduced just the year before. In case He might have been a man about town every you’re interested night of the week but what we do know for sure – thanks to Albo himself – is that he the design is attended at least one punk gig there and it just based on the 13th so happens that it was some of his century Dublin fellow countrymen. seal depicting a castle of three “Heading to the Factory Theatre [Sydney] tonight for #CelibateRifles - found this photo watch towers from Dublin 1988 #flashbackfriday,” he tweeted surrounding one in December 2014. The Celibate Rifles* were of the gates in a punk rock band from Sydney formed in the city’s 1979 while they were still at high school. The medieval wall. group’s name was their take on their English counterparts, the most famous Punk group The ‘Dublin Bus’ photo has even played a ever, the Sex Pistols. small part in his journey to become Prime Minister. Five years after he rediscovered the They played Dublin in August 1988 and you’d photo he dusted it off and used it as part of have to image the like-minded Aussie boys his bid to become the leader of the Australian who were all about the same age and from Labor Party after the party – then headed by a similar background would have met each Bill Shorten – failed to defeat the Morrison other or even enjoyed a drink before or after government at the 2019 federal election. That the Dublin gig. Like the Irish, Australians are post attracted a comment from none other usually keen to have a yarn with their own than The Celibate Rifles themselves on May 27, kind whenever their paths cross, and the more 2019. “Well he seems to have reasonable taste exotic the location the more that is true. in music,” they said about the image of him as a t-shirted youth. The photo has one tell-tale that places him fair and square in Dublin. The logo and some of A few months later he posted it again when the writing on the side of the bus are blocked the bands enigmatic front man Damien by the young smiling man. But many readers Lovelock died at the age of 65. might recognise it as the logo for Dublin Bus, Thanks to one posting of the image we even have an idea of when and for how long Albo was in Dublin. Lindy Morrison, who was the drummer with the Australian indie-rock group the Go-Betweens (1980 to 1989) was slightly miffed by the inoffensive picture. “Humph. So you didn’t have a Go Betweens tee then?,” she messaged. He responded: “I did actually Lindy, but you weren’t playing in Dublin in July/August 88”. So we know something about when he was there and even a little about what he did but why he was there is not yet clear. It could be that like generations of Australians before and after him he was a backpacker on an overseas adventure that included a stop in Ireland. But is it possible the visit was motivated by something else? Might he have been there to meet or find relatives? THE IRISH SCENE | 5

“I’m half Irish, half Italian, mate!” O n the campaign trail Mr Albanese was down in the keen to stress that he wasn’t the typical candidate for the top job. “We’re a diverse south. And thank country, and the fact that I have a non-Anglo- Celtic name... I think it sends a message out goodness for there hopefully to multicultural Australia that you can achieve anything in this country,” he social media. told reporters in the run up to the May 21 poll. They’ve done it Before and during the election campaign there was plenty of discussion in the media about the tough through correct way to pronounce his Italian surname. The outgoing government party even built one the pandemic of their main slogans around it: “It won’t be easy under Albanese”. over there but When asked about how he would like people I’ve been able to pronounce his Italian name Albanese is very relaxed about it and tells people just to to keep in call him ‘Albo’. His profound love and respect for this mother Maryanne Therese (née contact with Ellery) who was called Mary amongst family members and the discovery of the Italian side them. And it’s of his life story was fully documented in his 2016 biography ‘Albanese – Telling it Straight’, a great thing, written by political journo Karen Middleton, and extensively reported by the media. being able Schoolboy to talk to the Anthony. He also claims Irish heritage but exactly what other side that is is much less obvious. of the world. The issue came up during a Triple M radio interview in Perth in March this year when he Mind you, they ring sometimes at really was asked about it directly. inconvenient times. They don’t get the time “We’ve got the Leader of the opposition in the studio with us,” the show host said. difference.” “Anthony Albanese, we learned earlier half That was the full extent of his answer to Italian, half Irish*. Mr Albanese, are you more one the question! than the other?”. * This appears to be a reference to another In his response Albo spoke openly about his Triple M interview Albanese gave in Brisbane in Italian links. “I was raised very much here in the February 2021. One of the presenters asked him sort of Aussie culture, I guess,” Albo said. “My about ScoMo, Hillsong, the Christian vote and if mum was, there was just me and my mum “you [will] be joining him?”. The then opposition at home, and she was very much an Aussie leader answered: “Mate, I’m half Irish, half Catholic, I guess….My family are from Puglia, Italian, so guess what religion I am? See if you can work that out. I’ll give you I’ll give you the clue. Rome. It begins with Rome.” While he acknowledged his Irish heritage he did not elaborate on it. Albo describes himself as a ‘cultural Catholic’ and while his faith in the religion may have lapsed the faith of his mum was profound. She died 20 years ago but has been the singular and most important influence on him as an individual. From his maiden speech in parliament to the gruelling campaign trail and in his victory speech on election night it is clear that his values and outlook were defined by her. 6 | THE IRISH SCENE

Anthony Albanese When she was 25 years old – the same age as Albo when he was in Dublin – she took a cruise from Sydney to Southampton and had a AMnatrhyoannynwe iTthhemreusme. romantic relationship with a handsome Italian steward working on the ship. She fell pregnant and at the end of the voyage the lovers went their separate ways. She raised him as a single parent on a council estate. He grew up believing his father had married his mum but was tragically killed in a car crash but his mum revealed the truth when he turned 14. “She made the courageous extensive online research produced remarkably decision in 1963 to keep a child little information. Irish Scene sent questions she had out of wedlock,” Mr to the prime minister’s press office in the full Albanese said in May as he realisation and understanding that there are campaigned for the top job. “She incredible demands on his time and attention chose, in order to – to deal with the pressures at the formation of a new government. that were on a young Catholic woman at that time, in those circumstances, to take my He has pledged to visit Western Australia ten father’s name, and I was raised being told times a year in recognition of the state’s critical that he had died. That’s a tough decision. It role in helping elect him as the leader of a says something about the pressure that was majority government. Perhaps on one of those placed on women. And pressures that are still trips there might be an opportunity for Irish placed on women, when faced with difficult Scene to discover more about the Irish side of circumstances. So, the fact that – that young his identity. It might not be a straightforward kid is now running for prime minister, says a lot answer and only he knows the about her. And her courage. But also says a lot answers. At the very least about this country. About this country.” it might be fun to find out some of If his dad was Italian then it figures the his memories Irish heritage was on his mother’s side. She about his is sometimes described as being an Irish time in Australian or Australian of Irish descent but Dublin. what that means exactly has been difficult to define but there are some clues that he has a soft spot for it. “Think every Irish person in Australia is at #Kilkenny v #Galway #hurling at Sydney Showground,” he tweeted on November 11, 2018 for the full format hurling match played that day, as part of the Magners Sydney Irish Festival in Sydney Olympic Park. “Was a fun afternoon #hurling,” the sports – and music – mad MP added. Despite my best attempts to get a copy of his 2016 biography through a public library or bookshop the best I was able to manage was to read the first few chapters online for free that deal with Albanese’s family background and his mother (in great detail) can be previewed online but these make no mention of a specific connection to Ireland. Attempts at THE IRISH SCENE | 7

Rifles fired up Dublin punk scene S* ydney might intersections in the city centre, a passer-by have been would easily miss it if it wasn’t for the iconic homebase to London Underground rail symbol that marked the Celibate Rifles the narrow doorway leading down to its had a special subterranean location,” Page wrote. affinity for playing in “A tricky, tight staircase (perilous if inebriated) Ireland. There brought you down to a long, narrow bar – is strong immediately to the right and just behind you evidence to at the foot of the stairs stood the tiny stage. suggest they When the band were playing, a trip to the performed toilets was fraught with the risk of decapitation. there on That trip usually involved a well-timed duck a number under the neck of a guitar to make it through. of occasions The bar itself wasn’t anything special – it wasn’t and had a plastered with posters or rock memorabilia. It loyal following. wasn’t a hang out for Dublin celebrities. It was In 1987 Hot Press a place for genuine music fans, there was no music writer Paul bullshit VIP area (incredibly, such a thing existed O’Mahnony wrote that they in Dublin nightclubs, even in the grim 80s) or were “occasional visitors to these welcome mat laid out for Dublin scene-sters.” shores”. George Curran had some great memories of They played Dublin in 1986 with local band The the place and a Slowest Clock as the support act. The same rare photograph of four piece group – Frank Pryce (vocals), Gerry the Rifles on stage. Fahy (guitar), Brian Neavyn (bass) and Pete “You could get close Kinsella (drums) – also supported the Rifles at up to the band due to the Underground in August 1988, which would the“intimate”nature appear to be when Albo saw them play live. of the venue. Only It was quite a night apparently. An account problem was trying to of the gig on irishrock.org remarked that “the take a photo and jostling drummer played one-armed”. The Slowest for space with people coming Clock broke up in 1990 but in their time they and going to the loos. Happy also supported big acts of the day such as A Days!.” House and Something Happens, amongst others. Decades later the Underground – in the basement of what is Peadar The Rifles were also in Dublin in 1987 according Kearney’s pub in Dame Street in to the date on a photograph taken by George the city centre – appears to have Curran and published with a story ‘All our lives rediscovered its roots as a lively spent Underground: Dublin’s finest music punk venue. venue remembered’ written by Paul Page, published on Betweenthebars.net. There is a great photograph of the Rifles that places them in Ireland. All “Situated on [Dame Street] one of the busiest 8 | THE IRISH SCENE

Anthony Albanese the band members are wearing ‘Italia 90’ Ireland tee-shirts in a venue they were playing at that time. As anyone who lived through it will happily remember the whole country went soccer crazy as Ireland did well in the FIFA World Cup that year. The Sydney boys were keen to join in the craic it seems. They also made a strong impression on Ireland’s top music commentator and presenter, Dave Fanning. “For a long time I didn’t know who the track [Pretty Colours (1984)] was by but thanks to the wonder of the internet I finally figured it out,” Fanning said in an article. “It’s a fantastic track and one I never grow tired of.” High praise indeed! Punk rock began in the UK but was embraced in Ireland where it would hugely influence dozens of young and emerging local artists and groups, including the Undertones, Stiff Little Fingers, Shane McGowan and U2 would all carve their own sound from its foundations and bring it into the mainstream. That influence has spread to the United States where Celtic groups like the Dropkick Murphys, Flogging Molly and Black 47 are two of the leading proponents of this frantic style of music. Albo is not the only leader of a nation to have mixed it up on the punk scene. Back in 1979 at the height of his fame as the UK’s punk poet John Cooper Clarke was in Dublin for an event at the Project Arts Centre. “I was ably supported by your president, Michael D Higgins [himself a poet],” he told the Irish Examiner newspaper some years ago. “I’ve since met Michael D at a film festival in Galway… he went to a great deal of trouble to point this out to me!.” THE IRISH SCENE | 9

A recorded history of Australia’s ‘Irish’ PMs BY LLOYD GORMAN A nthony Albanese from Irish immigrants born in counties Galway, is Australia’s 31st Roscommon, and Tipperary on his father’s Prime Minister since side while on his mother’s side, he was of the Commonwealth of mixed English and Irish descent. His maternal Australia was formed grandfather, Fred Chapman, was the son of two in 1901 and he is the convicts, John Chapman and Sarah Gallagher latest in a long line who were transported for theft in the 1830s. of Australian PM’s Before Keating there was Bob Hawke (1983- who can lay claim 1991) who did not have any Irish blood at all but to Irish heritage. that didn’t dampen his enthusiasm and there That said they was plenty to go around. “Some Australians have been thin have not a drop of Irish blood flowing in their on the ground in veins,” were his opening words at a gala dinner recent years. You to welcome Taoiseach Charles Haughey to have to go back to Australia in July 1998. “Some Australians have Kevin Rudd (PM 2007- rectified that shortcoming by marrying into an 2010 and again briefly in Irish family and I include myself in this category. 2013) to find the most recent PM with that distinction – and he “And some of us have the great good fortune was a recent convert, so to speak. In 2008 the of being able to claim Irish blood by birth or Mormon church researched his family history ancestry. Indeed almost one in every three and presented it to him while he was in office. Australians can make the proud boast of having Their genealogical gift showed that his great- been born in Ireland or into an Irish family.” grandparents on his mother’s side – Owen Cashin and Hannah Maher – were both Irish Indeed they made up a significant proportion born and married in 1887 in Brisbane. of the Australian population, more than anywhere else. Skip Rudd’s predecessor John Howard (1996- 2007) and you find a similar story with Paul “So Australia is the principal province of that Keating (1991-1996). Keating was born in Sydney, Irish empire having been endowed as no other one of four kids, to Minnie (née Chapman) and country has been with the hard work and Matthew John Keating. He was descended determination of generations of Irish men and women”. If this is true, as I firmly believe it to be, then surely the epicentre of that Irish empire in Australia must be the Australian trade union movement and the Australian Labor Party which I have the honour to lead.” Go back two more leaders and you have William McMahon who held the top job from 1971-1972. 10 | THE IRISH SCENE

Australia’s ‘Irish’ PMs McMahon was born was very conscious of in Sydney to William his Irishness. “I am a Daniel McMahon descendant of a – a Catholic with race that fought a a weakness for long and bitter heavy driker and fight against gambling – and perjurers, Mary (née Walder) pimps and an Anglican of liars and I English and Irish should be very ashamed descent. McMahon’s to stand for grandfather on his dad’s any principle side was one James “Butty” that did not give McMahon who was born in the ordinary men Co. Clare, who came to Australia as and women of the a child and and married Mary Coyle fron Co. community the right Fermanagh . to know what they are charged with,” Chifley said a speech against the Before McMahon John Gorton led an Australian Communist Party Dissolution Bill. government (1968-1971). Gorton did not have a birth certificate but is said to have been born Australian born Franke Forde in Wellington, New Zealand, to John Rose was PM for just eight days in Gorton and an Alice Sinn (whose mum was 1945, stepping into the Irish). Gorton’s father may have had a soft spot breach on the death of for Irish girls. His first wife (in he UK) was one John (Jack) Curtin. Kathleen O’Brien. His father John Forde was from His predecessor was John McEwen (1967-1968) Ballinaglera, Co. whose father was David MacEwan (he changed Leitrim while his this name later) from Mountnorris, Co. Armagh mother Ellen (née who was a successful pharmacist in Belfast Quirk) hailed from before he migrated to Melbourne in 1889 where Co. Tipperary. he continued his trade as a chemist in the gold boom town of Chiltern. Because of his deep connection Before him Harold Holt (1966-1967) had some with Western Irish ancestry from his mother, who was born in Australian John Curtin Eudunda, South Australia and also had Cornish, is probably the prime English and German heritage. minister of Irish parentage that most people might know. For most of the 1940’s Australia was led by PMs of strong Irish stock. Ben Curtin’s courageous leadership of the Chifley (1945-49) had a country during the war grandfather Patrick years of 1941-45 and grandmother earned him Mary from Tipperary. He THE IRISH SCENE | 11

Australia’s ‘Irish’ PMs the eternal respect prime minister. He had the responsibility and gratitute of of leadership during the years of the Great generations of Depression. He was the fifth of nine children to John Scullin and Ann Logan, both immigrants Australians and from Derry. the status as one of the nation’s His family’s recollections of hard times in greatest leaders. their native Ireland, combined with Sadly he died not his own witnessing of poverty in long after the war rural Victoria are said to have in Europe finished shaped his views on the and six weeks beofre active role of government the Japanese were in improving the lives of defeated in the Pacific, in citizens. Australia’s backyard. In the six years Curtin was born in Victoria and christened leading up to Scullin’s John Jospeh Ambrose by his parents John and adminisration the Catherine Agnes Bourke (known as “Kate”) – regins of power both from Cork – but he dropped these were held by Stanley names and wanted to be known as Bruce. His father John John or Jack. Munro Bruce was born to Scottish parents in Arthur Fadden was Australia’s Co. Leitrim while his mum 13th PM in 1941 for ‘40 days Mary Ann Henderson was born and 40 nights’. He was in Ireland. They were cousins who the eldest of ten children married in Australia in 1872. of parents Annie (née Moorhead) from Co. Under the brief term of Chris Watson Australia Tyrone and Richard John became the first country in the world to have a Fadden from Co. Galway. labour prime minister. The country’s third PM he only held office for four months in 1904. Going back to 1932 and 1939 Joseph Lyons was PM. He had an interesting background and was He was one of eight children born the son of a German Chilean to parents Ellen (née Carroll) seaman and an Irish born mother and Michael Henry Lyons. She Martha (née Minchin or was born in Co. Kildare and was Skinner) who later remarried. taken to Australia when she was a young child. Michael was born in Tasmania So out of the 31 PM’s to immigrants from Co. Galway who arrived Australia has had to date, 13 of them were the off- in 1843. spring or descendants James Scullin (1929-32) had of marriages with at the distinction of being least one Irish parent or the first Australian born, grandparents. and Catholic, Labor 12 | THE IRISH SCENE

Stephen Dawson Many are called, few are chosen! I t isn’t beyond no ambitions to grab the top job these things the bounds of can be thrust upon them by their colleagues possiblity that who need a capable candidate. a future Western The second premier of our state was one Australia premier George Lionel Throssell who was born at could be a son of Fermoy, Co. Cork in May 1840. At the age of ten Ireland. Indeed, his family left Ireland for Western Australia. He it has happened went on to become a successful merchant and before. Premier to get involved in the local politics of Northam Mark McGowan and then in the new Legislative Assembly. and several of his When his party leader and the premier of the ministers have some day walked away from state parliament to Irish ancestry but one of the cabinet’s most join the new Federated parliament he was senior members is a full blooded Irishman, succeeded by Throssell on February 15, 1901. Stephen Dawson. He was born in Dublin and It was to be a short premiership. He was a first came to Australia in 1986 on a family very capable administrator but his extreme holiday. Then in 1989 the Dawson family difficulty in hearing and inability migrated to Australia to escape the struggling to handle political factions and Irish economy. He joined the Labor party on in-fighting meant he led the his first day at Edith Cowan University and government into an election since then has worked his way up through the which they losed. On May party as a Chief of Staff to various government 27 he resigned as leader ministers in WA (and Victoria) before first and moved to the back- getting elected in 2013 as a Member of the bench where he retired Legislative Council (MLC) for the WA electorate three years later. If another of Mining & Pastoral Region where he is Irishman ever gets into the the party’s biggest vote getter. He has held position again hopefully multiple shadow and cabinet positions since they might last longer than a 2013 and is currently Minister for Emergency hundred days. Services, Innovation and ICT, Medical Research and Volunteering. And in July last year Mr Dawson was made acting premier for something like four or five days while See all our Monthly Specials at tyrepowerperthcity.com.au McGowan – affectionately called ‘State Daddy’ by many – •DuWriHngEtEhLesRe EFURB & PUNCTURES CCaallllFiounsa otroAddriaany took a break. ••wuCnoWTecvYwieHdRro-tE1aEuEi9lSndLtl&iiAmkeLeWsIG,HNEMELESNTS •toBmAeTnTtiEonRtIoES 9Yfooru3aw2gorn2e’attb2teyr2seo1drrey4al! A consistently strong •ouBrRCAusKtoEmSers performer with an easy going Call us today nature he is a popular figure that we are amongst his labor party taking all 9322 2214 colleagues and in the Irish community. It may be some Wmpreeeacsasuurtteioosncwakriytha huge time before Mark McGowan’s rsaannitgisiengo, f tyres from popularity dwindles to the aselalttchoveerlseading point it becomes a liability, bapnrrodatewncotdirvkses!hwoepar. they lose an election or there is a leadership coup and the 353C5TraTorlooldoFedieSoStHnt(ana(nepexopxtrtytotAoCLLdihcicrereinainsssnitinnmgfgoCaCreesnnattirrnege))rJWWeueeassltytt PPtteyeorrrttheha..EldElmmeoaaaiulillpr!peYecrrtouhthcuscittiytwoy@@motytneyrer’reptspob!owweere.scr.oocmormr.ay.uau party will need to pick a new leader. Even if a politican has THE IRISH SCENE | 13

Bloomsday 2022 Irish Club Subiaco 14 | THE IRISH SCENE

Irish Consulate Passport Dublin airport (or at your stopover) may refuse Applications to board you without a valid Australian passport or visa. Dual Irish/Australians have been refused After Covid boarding because of these issues so please there has ensure you have a valid passport or visa. been a huge increase in Children’s passport/Foreign Birth Registry the number of Irish passport if you have children who were not born in applications. Ireland and you want them to have an Irish Figures passport, there a few things you should know. released by the 1. If one of the child’s parents was born in Department of Ireland, the child is automatically entitled to Foreign Affairs an Irish passport to be applied for online in show that as of May 2022 a total of 560,000 the usual manner. passports were issued, which is 90,000 more than pre-Covid figures. The overall trend is 2. If neither of the child’s parents was born a 50 to 60% increase this year alone. Many in Ireland and one of their grandparents additional staff have been hired but there are was born in Ireland, the child must be still significant delays. We recommend that you registered on the foreign birth registry. This is renew your passport at least 6 months before currently a two-year process which should be your passport expires. In fact, you can start commenced as soon as possible. the application process 12 months before your passport expires. 3. So that your children can pass on the right to an Irish passport to their children, your Passport Applications online child must be registered on the foreign birth registry before they have children of their All applications for Irish passports are online own – otherwise it will be too late. For further athttps://www.dfa.ie/passportonline/- . This information on foreign birth registration, includes first time passports and newborn baby please see: https://www.dfa.ie/citizenship/ applications. The paper application forms are born-abroad/registering-a-foreign-birth/ no longer used – everything is online. How the Honorary Consulate Perth Can Travelling in and out of Australia and Ireland Help you. if you have an Australian passport (as well as We are here to help Irish citizens so please an Irish passport) you should travel in and out of Australia on your Australian passport. contact us if we can help on: Please remember that you need a valid visa or an Australian passport to enter Australia. 08 6557 5802 If you become an Australian citizen, you no longer have a visa- therefore you must have [email protected] an Australian passport. Further, your airline at http://consulateofirelandwa.com.au/ THE IRISH SCENE | 15

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Winners are grinners BYLLOYDGORMAN D undalk born comedian Dave Callan is onto organisations linked to lottery funding, a winner with his latest gig. including Midvale Skate Park and St. Patrick’s Community Support Centre in Fremantle. He fronts the Lotterywest’s latest advertising campaign ‘That’s the Ticket’ to He is happy with the end product but hasn’t thank their customers for playing the lottery, always had a good experience shooting and by extension supporting many good them. “You don’t know they go, they can be causes and groups in WA. Last year alone, for a bit cringe worthy, but they did a good job, example, $865million was funnelled into local sometimes scripts do not have you in mind, or communities across the state in the form of are for a version of you they believe exists but grants and prizes, which benefit thousands which may not be accurate. But in this case of West Australians. Research carried out for they wrote it with me in mind and they gave Lotterywest found that many people do not me a bit of flexibility to be me. I really enjoyed know that most of the money raised by the the whole thing, it came up well. From the very state owned body goes to local charities, clubs, start I said I was willing to work with them to groups and projects. make it as funny as possible and put my own stamp on it, which is what they wanted, so that “I had no idea myself,” Dave admitted to Irish made me optimistic from the start about how it Scene. “I discovered that the work Lotterywest would turn out.” do is pretty great for the community and the give a lot of money to worthwhile causes, Shooting on a previous ad for a home loan such as Foodbank, Mens Shed and help for provider did not go as well. “The idea of the ad the homeless in Fremantle. It makes a huge was there was a really black and white couple different to the people who may not have a paying their mortgage and they don’t like it and voice or be able to fend for themselves or as then it went into full colour and its me and some privileged as as many of us our, so its a girl and we are in the nude, because we are free great cause.” The new ad – which was first shown of our mortgage and happy on Perth television channels in a lovely garden with on June 6 – has Dave the sprinklers on and as himself, dressed they put black bars over in Lotterywest our bits,” he said. “We activewear, had to stand in the front dashing around garden of this house several local in a residential street in locations and Claremont, if I remember correctly, and then we heard close by, a little too close for comfort, a bell ring and then there were all these kids walking past us looking at us naked in this garden, that was a little bit awkward. I won’t forget that.” 18 | THE IRISH SCENE

Dave Callan It took Dave, then at the tender age of 15, about Self conscious about a roomful of people a year to settle into their new life when his family looking directly at him while he took to the migrated from Dundalk to WA in 1990. One of stage for the first time Dave came up with a the things that helped him find his feet in the novel solution to the problem. “I figured the early years was comedy. As a first year student at best way to go would be to blindfold myself and Edith Cowan University he took part in a talent do the whole set blindfolded,” he explained. competition called Uni-mates. He did a five “I still had the eye mask from the plane that minute stand up routine. “I always wanted to try they give you to sleep, so I wore it and I said oh stuff it, I don’t know anyone, not that and could hardly find the thinking ahead that if I bombed I’d be a social mike stand but got free leper until people forgot about it. So I jumped laughs fumbling my way up and did it, I can’t remember much about up there and did the it,it was a bit of a blur.” After the show the MC – whole routine with my professional comic David Lenny – urged him to blindfold on. I had come along that night to the Laugh Resort, a loaded the audience pool hall called Pockets in the area that is now with about 17 of Yagan Square, for their comedy night. my friends from school and uni “I said I didn’t think so because it was all and it was great, Ben Elton and Billy Connolly material. I just it was absolutely repeated stuff I had heard watching them on amazing. I think VHS tapes over and over again because I loved stacking the it,” he added. “I love it, I was drawn to it but I audience helped, never thought I’d do it. This was going to be and nervous a comedy venue with other comedians and a energy helped and comic savvy audience so I knew that wouldn’t they said come fly so I said I’ll come down and watch for a back the following couple of weeks and write my own material. So night and do it I went down the first night, which happened to and I said great. be the debut of Rove McManus and the next I was expecting week I went was also the first night for Dave it to be as good Hughes, hard acts to follow, but on the third as the night before but week it was my turn.” THE IRISH SCENE | 19

the second night I absolutely bombed, its a “I was thinking whose this fella, he’s just common story, second gig blues.” he turned brilliant, he’s speaking our language and up for the second night in his Woolworths having the Aussies in stitches with a real uniform (he worked at the supermarket in the Irish sense of humour. I once got my photo Galleria Shopping Centre) and it was a quieter taken with him at the Regal which is funny night in terms of the size of the audience, and it now because I know him and I’ve never wasn’t packed with his mates for moral support. shown him the picture.” He heard people talking in the audience and thought they were talking about how bad he When asked who he rates on the local was which made his confidence plummet. comedy scene at the moment he mentions “So I cut my losses and got off before my set relative newcomer and fellow Irishman Ronnie finished, but because the first night was so Neville. Ronnie now calls Fremantle home but good it made me want to get back up there for is a well known face and has a big following a third time but if it had gone the same way I in America where he featured on a shopping don’t think I would have got up again. channel as a ‘pitch man’ for the “Irish prep I got the bug.” bowl”, which he uses his Irish charms and wits to promote. Watch out for him in local comedy The stand up comedy scene in Australia is venues around the city and expect to see more a tight knit community and Dave is now of him. John Pinder from the UK and Andrew accepted as one of the country’s foremost Wolfe are his other picks. funnymen. Certainly his friendship with Rove has continued to be a close one on a personal In terms of his own comedy Dave could well and professional basis. For many years the Perth be moving in a new direction, thanks to Covid. born comic had a big presence on Australian Up until relatively recently he was based ‘over TV and Dave often played roles in sketches East’. “I bailed on Melbourne after the first big and scenes for his shows. In one episode of lockdown of three months, I let the lease go on Rove Live Dave was a guest alongside Jimeoin my apartment and came back to Perth, where and Sinead O’Connor, for a section called we migrated too in 1990. My brother just had ‘Words that sound better when said by….’ in a baby, my nephew and my parents wanted what must have been one of the top Irish line me to be close. Nobody knew what was going ups on Aussie TV ever. As it happens Jimeoin on with Covid back then so I thought the best – originally from Derry, Northern Ireland – is thing was to be with family and so I came back also on our screens at the moment, spruiking a here at the end of 2020.” brand of cartridge free printers. “His playful yet understated approach was a good match for a Danger Dave product with such a powerful and unique sales proposition that it, in many ways, sells itself,” the Unsure if the comedy game would be able to product owner said about why he was chosen recover fully from the fallout of the pandemic to be the face of this campaign. “Jimeoin was a the comedian who is sometimes called Danger massive hero of mine growing up,” added Dave. Dave looked in other directions. “It’s a bit of a pivot from show business but I enrolled in a Bachelors of Counter Terrorism, Intelligence and Surveillance at Edith Cowan University in Joondalup, which gets people sniggering until they realise I’m serious,” he said. “I spoke to someone who was doing the course and they were raving about it, its one of the first of its kind in the world, or was when it started anyhow. Its super interesting.” There was a bit of a learning curve involved from going from a “carefree comedian” to doing research and writing essays and assignments but after a while he found his level, even if he admits it was “quite taxing”. On top of studying full time he continued to work and gig full time as a 20 | THE IRISH SCENE

Dave Callan comedian, no easy feat at the best of times. going to pivot into that world but I want to do “But that’s a good problem to have, being too a comedy script series for TV or film that is an busy. Unlike other parts of the country comedy action comedy about spy agencies. “But we didn’t go away here so I was still able to work. definitely have the cars and get to drive the Not all his gigs have been in cushy corporate Aston Martins in the third year,” he laughed. events or pokey venues. Back in 2016 his skills on stage brought him to Afghanistan where he Dave’s overseas helped entertain Australian and allied troops work stationed there. “The funny part for me is that I’m back at ECU “I find the course is brilliant, the lectures are Joondalup where I did an arts degree in 1993. fantastic and its really great material that I Here I am again back where I started about want to use for scriptwriting,” he added. “Most three decades later, its disheartening, but kind shows based in the spy world are over the top of funny as well. It sounds like a real old codger and borrow off each other and very few people thing to say but I remember when all this was writing content of the kind actually have a sand. You’d get off the train at the end of the grounded understanding off how it all works line and it was literally sand and a few highways so I thought it would be a good grounding in and ECU would be the beacon in the distance the world of espionage and security. I’m not THE IRISH SCENE | 21

Dave Callan and now Joondalup is a whole city. It feels stint in the fickle world of weird being an Irish person in what is now advertising. essentially Little Britain with English accents Working on a brief for the everywhere. I feel like my house is right in the character to be someone middle of Little Britain. My house is basically Liverpool, its the one Irish spot in Little Britain.” between American actors Jake Glyllenhaal and Jack A trip back to Ireland seems likely in the near Black some 160 actors future. “I used to go back every two or three across Australia tried out years and I was going to go back in 2020 and for the role of Finn and I don’t need to tell you what happened then, so its been almost six years since the last trip auditions and tests over back. I’ve got an iron in the fire for August but months. In the end they otherwise I might just up stumps and wander landed on the 30 year on over to do the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in old Irish man who had August and wonder over and see the old done some acting in sod then.” the Irish Club, Subiaco. Manifest Destiny “We saw a lot of good actors but when it came down ‘Manifesto’, iiNet’s first major advertising to it David was believable, almost like we were campaign – which had a budget of $7 hearing from an iiNet staff member - that’s million – to introduce the company how well he got our culture and the message to the general public was launched in that we were trying to deliver,” iiNet marketing April 2007. Overnight the face of “iiNet’s manager Scott Waters told the Sydney Morning lovable Irishman ‘Finn’” exploded across Herald in June 2007. TV, newspapers, radio ads, buses and giant Smyth himself said the brief was to be a young billboards in Perth and Sydney. Finn – aka guy with the appeal of someone between Dublin born actor David Lee Smyth – had American actors Jake Glyllenhaal and arrived. His days of dressing up as Peter Pan Jack Black. as an entertainer for kids parties were well In terms of finding the right identity, Smyth and truly over but his story took on another was arguably a good fit for the tech firm Pan like quality. Today he is as fresh faced started by Co. Clare born Michael Malone and as he was back then and is still iiNet’s poster his mate from university Michael O’Reilly. The boy, which surely must be a record breaking two Michael’s were hungry and enthusiastic internet users at UWA where Malone did a science degree (majoring in pure mathematics). But as soon as they left uni – the only place with internet access at the time – they would lose access. So in 1993 before the World Wide Web was a thing the mates with nothing more Ronnie Neville. 22 | THE IRISH SCENE

Dave Callan than a desire to keep accessing the internet - iiNet’s server room. From there the company such as it was then – started a company (iiNet) would move into commercial offices in the in the bedroom of Malone’s parents house in Perth CBD and grew exponentially from this Padbury as a way of sustaining their internet point. In September 2015 it was acquired by TPG addiction. To make the venture work they Telecom for $1.56billion and CEO Michael Malone needed enough paying users to support left the firm he had created. Despite the odds their hobby. Finn survived the corporate takeover and even a change of advertising agency for the company’s Operating from home presented Malone with marketing. a particular hurdle to overcome. “[My parents] needed a lot of convincing that when I was talking to Ireland on the net they weren’t going to get a big bill for overseas phone calls,” he laughed.. Within a few months they had half a dozen customers, mainly other graduates looking to get online as well and within another 12 months they had 200 customers. By July 1995 they had 1,500 and iiNet took on its first paid employee whose office was a bedroom in the Malone family home that he shard with Michael, Deanne Godfrey, a cat and a pool table. Michael O’Reilly worked in a storeroom that doubles as THE IRISH SCENE | 23

Tralee Roses glow and 24 | THE IRISH SCENE

grow Rose of Tralee R ebecca Mazza from North Perth but family roots in Kanturk, Co. Cork has had the great distinction and life changing pleasure of being an Australian Rose of Tralee – the Sydney Rose to be precise. An incredible experience for any young woman in a ‘normal’ year it has been an extra-ordinary one for Rebecca and the other 2019 Roses who have had their time and title both cut short and extended by the global Covid-19 pandemic. At a recent gala event in Sydney Rebecca was finally able to pass on the baton to the next Sydney Rose Mairéad Brennan (Maud) and while the whole thing has been a life changing whirlwind but her Tralee adventure isn’t quite over yet. “I think for me definitely one of the highlights was when I was originally selected,” the 27 year old speech therapist told Irish Scene. Readers were first introduced to Rebecca three years ago, in the 2019 July/August edition ‘Perth girl will be Rose fo Tralee for Sydney’. “Its strange because as soon as they called out my name I don’t remember anything, I don’t think I really believed in myself at all. I remember when mum and dad came over I said was doing the Rose of Tralee. I was doing it to make friends and have fun because I had just moved to a new city Sydney and gotten a job. I’m not going to win it or anything but come along it’ll be a good night and then when they called my name it was like...what the hell?...I think it made me realise something about going on stage and talking about myself. I think it is a very Australian thing... the tall poppy syndrome...you don’t want to draw attention to yourself or beat your own drum and you can fall into that trap….but it is also something that can reaffirm, that yes, I am capable of doing this and more and performed in Ireland, give a speech in front of 500 people, done live radio and all this stuff it gives you confidence in your day to day and this whole experience has given me. The nerves never go away completely but you know you are capable of it and you will get through it. That’s what I learned and cherished the most from this experience, it challenged me.” She wasn’t the only one she had to convince. “All my Australian friends asked me why did I enter a beauty pageant. I think its the image of the sash and the dress. I told them it was nothing like that and when they came to the Sydney selection they realised that because they were imagining some fashion catwalk or something like that. Its just ordinary women, with some Irish heritage of course, but it doesn’t THE IRISH SCENE | 25

matter what you look like, its about your Like her counterparts, Rebecca has had longer personality, your story and how you represent than the normal 12 month stint of being a Rose your country or county. I think that giving to reflect on everything. women a chance to tell their story is a really powerful thing and it really has a special place One of her highlights happened in March. “New in my heart.” York was the best, after everything you couldn’t beat that. I finally got to do the St. Patrick’s Day parade in New York this year, which was amazing. Its pouring down with rain, its freezing cold and yet the streets are lined with people waving at you. It was just incredible especially after two years of lockdowns. I remember at one point the Arizona Rose was in front of me and the Kilkenny Rose was on the other side and we were walking along... all these different accents and it was great to see everybody again...it was so surreal to be walking down Fifth Avenue but a great, great experience. It kind of reminded me of what Tralee was like, nobody can prepare you for it. I had Maud over for dinner recently and you try to explain it someone but nothing can quite prepare you for it. You go into this small town, you put on this sash and suddenly you become this celebrity for a week, its mind boggling, its fantastic but it is completely crazy at the same time. Kids are coming up to you for autographs and photos and you’re just thinking to yourself 26 | THE IRISH SCENE

Rose of Tralee I’m just some random chick from Australia, its just before everything went into lock-down. I just insane,” she laughed. was meant to go to New York in March 2020 for St. Patrick’s Day and of course that was a The 2019 Rose of Tralee was a milestone one no go for obvious reasons.” After the six week for the international festival as it was the 60th lock down in Perth she returned to Sydney anniversary. It was also significant for other where she would experience more extended reasons. It would be the last Rose festival for lockdowns that spoiled what should have some time for reasons that would soon become been a fun filled and active period as a Rose. apparent. “After Tralee I went back [to Perth] “I did a couple of radio pieces but there wasn’t for a reunion over Christmas and New Year, anything going on, and when events were organised they had to be cancelled, it was just dead and it got to the point where spirits were pretty well dampened by it all.” By good fortune she said the Landsdowne Club in Sydney were able to hold their iconic St. Patrick’s Day lunch events and she took part in the festival “in the pouring rain” walking and talking with people alongside a committee member dressed as St Patrick himself. Another thing that changed in 2019 was the format of the competition itself. The number of Roses taking part in 2019 was capped at 32 with some locations – such as Perth – being assured of a place every second year. Rebecca said Open 7 days - 8am to 10pm Breakfast Lunch Dinner Serving meals at all times 137 Hannan st Kalgoorlie Phone: (08) 9021 2788 THE IRISH SCENE | 27

28 | THE IRISH SCENE

Rose of Tralee this made a positive difference for everyone but particularly for our Olivia Duffy, from Co. involved. “We had a great group, everyone Meath, who is going forward as the Perth Rose got on well and we had the best time. We had in August 2022. Go n-eirí an t-ádh leat! (Good 32 Roses but in previous years there were 64, luck to you!) which they would cut in half that week and it could cause some dramas. You might have a XINMJAUSLY situation where you were sharing a room with a $1 girl who didn’t’ get through to the TV night but OFF they would still have to go to all these events . Can you imagine coming all the way from $1 off at Woolworths Perth, Sydney or definitely any of the Australian and European Foods. Roses and how disappointing it would be to come all that way to get rejected for the Available at European Foods televised event, it would be disheartening to say the least. I talked to girls from previous years and it would cause such rifts, so its real good that’s in the past now”. Rebecca will bring her experience and understanding of being a Rose to Tralee in August but in a different capacity. She will be there as a representative of the Sydney Rose Centre and there to support Maud and help everything everyone have the best experience they can. “I’m not in the spotlight this time, I’ll be more behind the scenes,” she added. “I told Maud there’s not much time. I hardly saw my own family throughout the festival because its so go go go. Every day there is so much on and you do one event and then you are whisked off to the next one and they you have formal dinners so you have to get ready for that quickly as well, so there’s always a lot going on.” With the whole week likely to pass by in the blink of an eye what would you say to any girl going forward as a Rose Irish Scene asked Rebecca?. “I would definitely say just try to relax and enjoy the ride, enjoy the process, enjoy all the events, try not to get caught up in the more frivolous things. And don’t look at the bookies, there’s no point. Its full on, just don’t look at it. I think I looked at it afterwards and I was somewhere in the middle. I was happy with that, not that it matters anyhow... who cares?.” She also strongly suggests that if they can Roses should if they can spend some time hanging around after all the fuss has died down. “Make sure you’ve got some time after the festival as well, so that you are not going home on the last day. That’s when you really get to know everyone when everything is over and everyone can be relaxed.” Good advice for any and all Roses of course, THE IRISH SCENE | 29





Soldering on in memory of Martin O’Meara O n August 14 the people of Lorrha, Co. action with German Tipperary will celebrate a local historical forces at Mouquet figure with a unique connection to Farm near Pozières. Western Australia. During those four days Martin O’Meara, a The Victoria Cross won by Martin O’Meara – stretcher bearer, went born in 1885 in Lissernane, Lorrha and raised out into No Man’s Land in that picturesque corner of Ireland – will be time and time again at the heart of a ceremony held in his honour. to rescue wounded It will be a significant moment in the history Australian soldiers of the medal and the memory of its original and officers. In the owner. Almost exactly 107 years earlier to the face of the constant day O’Meara, who had emigrated to Australia bombardment and and was labouring in Collie as a sleeper cutter, gunfire that peppered enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in the killing zone August 1915. He narrowly missed deployment between the opposing to Gallipoli where Australian soldiers began enemies trenches their place in World War 1 and earned the name he found and carried ‘Diggers’, a moniker which they still proudly at least 25 of his use to this day. Martin would serve with the comrades back behind 16th Battalion on the Western Front in Europe their own lines for and it was here that he would distinguish medical treatment. When he wasn’t dragging himself on the battlefield, not for taking life but men from almost certain death the shy but saving it. Over the course of August 9-12 1916 heavily built O’Meara carried military supplies his battalion was engaged in heavy murderous Members of the Lorrha Martin O’Meara VC committee: From left, Ger Richard Bennett, Curator, Army O’Meara (Secretary), Ambassador Gray, Mike Hoctor, Rose Mannion Museum of Western Australia (Chairperson), Louis McCormack (Treasurer), Nancy White. with Martin O’Meara’s V.C. 32 | THE IRISH SCENE

Martin O’Meara Neighbours of Martin O’Meara from Lissernane from and food up the line to where they were left Mary Stephens, Mick Hoctor, Carmel & Sheila needed. Despite the horrors around him the O’Meara, Joe Dolan, Michael O’Meara. strongly Catholic O’Meara was ‘always cheerful and optimistic’ and willing to ‘volunteer for any Grave of Martin job’. The following year he took advantage of O’Meara, Karrakatta, being in Europe and returned home to Lorrha. Perth, Western When they found out the local hero (not that Australia (Image Leith O’Meara ever thought of himself in those terms) Landauer). the local community and surrounding parishes raised a testimonial, money he donated towards the restoration of the Lorrha Abbey but which went into repairing the parish church. It was a brief visit home and his last. Towards the end of the next year he – and thousands more like him – returned to Australia by boat in 2018. A short time after the returned service men arrived at Woodman Point, South of Perth, where they were put into isolation because of the dreaded Spanish Flu pandemic, O’Meara’s life was plunged into tragedy. Shortly after a local journalist interviewed him by phone and all appeared normal, he suffered an episode from which he would never recover. For the rest of his life – he died in December 1935 – he was held in mental institutions, restrained in a THE IRISH SCENE | 33

Martin O’Meara Martin O’Meara. straitjacket, which caused a political scandal at St. Ruadhan’s R.C. Church the time, even if nothing changed as a result. His coffin was carried by other VC winners and the tragic Irishman was buried with full military honours at Karrakatta Cemetery. On August 14, to coincide the event at his birthplace I intend to visit his grave and anyone who would like to join me is very welcome (I can be reached at 0479047250). Australia’s Governor General and Australian Ambassador will be guests of honour at Lorrha and the local community is expected to turn out en-masse for the special occasion. A committee was formed to help fundraise and organise the tribute. It will be the one and only time the VC will be in Lorrha. A few days later it will be winging its way back to Western Australia where it will go on display at the Army Museum of Fremantle from the end of August. His medal was donated to the museum in 1986 and is normally its permanent home. In 2019 the O’Meara VC was loaned to the National Museum of Ireland – the first time ever an Australian Victoria Cross was allowed to leave the country. TUESDAYS at the Woody $15 $6 PIE & PINT PINTS OF NIGHT GUINNESS FROM Giving YOU the power! 6PM ☘ Electrical IRISH MUSIC ☘ Air Conditioning ☘ TV Antennas SESSION 7-11pm ☘ Internet & NBN Woodbridge Hotel powerbizelectrical.com.au 50 EAST STREET, GUILDFORD 9377 1199 Gerard Clonan 045 12 555 13 woodbridgehotel.com.au [email protected] ARC: L146035 EC: 14360 34 | THE IRISH SCENE

CHRISTMAS IN JULY Dear Members, see posters for details for Christmas in July at the Club! All welcome! - Bookings 0423 914 382 www.trybooking.com/events/landing/877490 A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS IN JULY The last two weekends in July! Options for Saturday or Sunday! Bookings Drew 0423 914 382 Live music: Ciaran O’Sullivan Duo Tommy Russell & Teresa Alan Woods Classic Christmas Buffet Doors open from 6.30pm Sat 23rd & 30th and 12.30pm on Sunday 24th & 31st Tickets $55 and $20 for children (Sun) Call/text 0423 914 382 Online Booking with TryBooking &SFuaFntthadhe(caaeyefrc2thP4eCialtrdhihnnrroteiaisonnntngmd)ofna3os1srt For all Event Bookings : 0423 914 382 • [email protected] For General Enquiries 9381 5213 • Follow us on @irishclubofwa 61 Townshend Road, Subiaco • irishclubofwa.com.au • Tel (08) 9381 5213 For Catering please email: [email protected] • For all other queries please email: [email protected]

Irish foreign affairs minister You will appreciate that this was a robust defends position on Western process involving a range of factors, including Australia our national, political and economic priorities, as well as the availability of resources for each In response to questions asked by Laois- potential mission location. The locations of Offaly TD Charlie Flanagan – and inquiries new missions also needs to be considered as by Irish Scene – Ireland’s minister for foreign part of a balanced package consistent with the affairs Simon Coveney offered the following ambitions set out in the Global Ireland strategy. explanation for why he had decided against The reply to your recent PQ represents my a full time consulate general in Perth. His current thinking on this issue based on this response to Mr Flanagan – himself a former latest review of options. Once the Government foreign affairs minsiter – came in late May, decides on any new missions to be opened, an weeks after the last edition of Irish Scene was appropriate announcement will be made. published, including the story ‘Mission’ not possible for Perth. Our commitment to the Irish community in Western Australia is steadfast. Our Honorary Dear Charlie, Consul in Perth, Marty Kavanagh, provides Thank you for your recent email regarding my excellent consular services to Irish citizens in reply to your recent Parliamentary Question Western Australia. He is fully engaged with [PQ] on Perth and the further questions you the Irish community and, with the support of have now received from Mr Lloyd Gorman, the Embassy and State Agencies, he assists in publisher/editor of the ‘Irish Scene’ magazine. developing trade and economic relations with Mr Gorman is seeking clarification regarding Western Australia. the development of my thinking on this matter over recent months, as expressed at the Joint I understand that our Ambassador will visit Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence and Western Australia soon and I have asked him in my reply to your recent PQ. to make every effort to include Perth, when At the Joint Committee in November, I said possible, in future high-level visits from Ireland. we needed to think about Western Australia I am aware that, unfortunately due to then- in the context of enhancing Ireland’s global prevailing restrictions, it was not possible for footprint but I also said that I didn’t want to Minister Naughton to include Perth in her pre-announce anything. In March, I told the recent St Patrick’s Day visit to Australia. Committee that Perth was being considered as part of a package which was not yet signed My Department will continue to explore options off. Following that meeting and prior to my for further expanding and strengthening PQ reply, I reviewed the options for enlarging our mission network, including in Australia. I our diplomatic footprint globally, including in wish to assure you and Mr Gorman that I will Australia. seek to ensure that Western Australia will benefit, whether directly or indirectly, from any additional resources which we can provide in Australia. Yours sincerely, Simon Coveney TD Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence Julie Bishop – a good friend of Ireland Charlie Flanagan was Ireland’s minister for foreign affairs (and trade) between 2014 and 2017. Julie Bishop, the member for Curtin from 1998 to 2019, was his Australian counterpart from 2013 to 2018. In February 2017 their paths 36 | THE IRISH SCENE

Politics officially crossed during a visit to Ireland by office, interviewing, or something Ms Bishop on her one and only trip to Ireland more relaxing. Flagship Event to date. attendance - the Chamber’s Summer BBQ at the Australian Ambassador’s “Julie and I had a close working relationship on residence in Killiney - where you can Ireland/Australia trade, immigration visas, Irish engage with hundreds of your fellow diaspora,” Mr Flanagan told Irish Scene. “Julie members currently based in Ireland. would’ve been a good PM but unfortunately European dimension - engage with the didn’t make it. She was a good friend of Ireland. representatives of all the Australian- And she was understanding and supportive of linked business groups across Europe Ireland’s position, post Brexit, in particular our who will join us during the week. Peace process.” “Talent in focus - we will host a Talent Bishop - who was deputy leader of the Open Day in Dublin, and possibly Australian Liberal Party between 2007 and another in Belfast, based on demand, 2018 – was badly dudded by her own ministerial as well as our activities in the regions so colleagues in the leadership race which saw you’ll have plenty of chances to find your Scott Morrison emerge as the new party leader next key hire.” and PM. Meanwhile, a group of Irish business Business makes the world go owners might well be on their way here it round and round emerged recently. In late June the Irish Australian Chamber of “[Will] a trade and investment mission to Commerce organised a five day long ‘business Australia will happen later in 2022,” TD Darren delegation’ to Ireland. O’Rourke asked the minister for enterprise and trade Leo Varadkar at the end of May “Join us on the delegation to build your in the Dail. Mr Varadkar said trade missions networks, gain insights into Irish businesses organised by Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland and meet skilled professionals, ready to make and led by a govenrment minister between the move,” IACC information about the tour early 2020 and the third quarter of 2021 had said. “Highlights will include: Your opportunity to be done virtually before they could be once to engage with best in class businesses in a again be held physically from the last quarter shared business tour of Ireland - north, south, of last year. “It had been hoped to arrange a regional and metropolitan. Discover new trade mission to Australia and New Zealand customers, suppliers, investment opportunities in Quarter 2 of 2022, however New Zealand’s and team members.” annual National Agricultural Fielddays has been postponed due to Covid-19 concerns,” Mr “Time built into each day for your own Varadkar added. “My Department is currently activities, keeping in touch with your Australian working closely with its agencies in relation to a trade and investment mission schedule for the second half of 2022 which will maximise opportunities to help Irish companies to access new markets and to increase the levels of foreign direct investment into Ireland.” THE IRISH SCENE | 37

Politics Its Home & Away for Sinn Fein Reporting on that tour at the time the Irish Independent reported that Ms McDonald On the subject of inter-country visits one of boldly claimed the party would not settle for Ireland’s most high profile politicians will be anything less than a 32-county Irish Republic. here soon. Mary Lou McDonald, president and leader of Sinn Fein will be guest of honour at a “Our mission is the Republic and we want all of string of events across Australia hosted by the it - we won’t settle for anything less,” she told Irish Australian Chamber of Commerce in mid- Irish-Australians in Perth. late July, kicking off in Perth. “Ms McDonald will share her thoughts on the impact of the global “Ms McDonald said the fundraising trip was pandemic, on the implications of Brexit, and part of Sinn Fein’s campaign to engage with on the role of Ireland in both Europe and the the Irish diaspora and to “secure a Border poll wider world from a business and geopolitical and the ongoing work towards Irish unity”. perspective going forward,” the IACC said. “We look forward to being able to bring such a Her SF predecessor Gerry Adams was also no high-profile visitor to Australia to address our stranger to Perth, and the rest of the country. members and guests, and look forward to the His bid to visit Australia in 1996 was blocked by discussion.” While she is in Perth Mary Lou will the Federal Government on the grounds he also feature at a Cairde Sinn Fein event in the was ‘not of good character’ but as the situation Irish Club, Subiaco, on Sunday July 17, starting in the North improved including with the Good at 6pm. Friday Agreement in 1998 which lead to a peace deal he was able and allowed to come in 1999. The path to Australia for fund raising and awareness generating campaigns is a well Meanwhile, Sinn Fein – once branded the worn one for Sinn Fein leaders . Indeed, this will politial wing of the IRA – is enjoying growing not be her first time here for the Republican electoral support back in Ireland, North and party leader. Ms McDonald was here in 2014 South of the border. (with party colleague Francie Molly MP) and laid out the party’s electoral strategy for the It is now the largest political party in Northern 2016 general election. Ireland after the Assembly election in May. SF won 27 of the 90 seats in the Assembly, putting it ahead of the normally dominant Democractic Unionist Party (DUP) for the first time, which also means it fills the position of First Minister. 38 | THE IRISH SCENE



The party’s march to government is also well underway south of the border where it is now the main opposition party in the Dail. In the 2020 February election the lions share of votes was split almost equally between the states two biggest political parties Fianna Fail (38) and Fine Gael (35) and Sinn Fein (37). this meant SF were in a position to help form government but were blocked from office by the coupling of old Irish civil war opponents FF and FG, now frenemies in power. Claire put her Hand up to have a go! Its highly like there are others but at least one an independent with the aim of giving the of the 1,624 candidates who put themselves community a greater voice separate to any forward in the Federal election in May was from political agenda.” Ireland. Claire Hand – who ran for Clive Palmers United Australia Party – was one of ten people It was always going to be a long shot for any who contested the West Australian seat of the independents or micro-parties to get of Cowan. over the line and in the end encumbent MP Anne Aly was returned, one of four vital Labor “Claire was born in Dublin, Ireland and MPs from the West who helped give Anthony emigrated to Australia when she was three Albanese a major government. years old,” her election profile stated. “She spent her primary school years within the City Fáilte Ambassador Kennedy of Joondalup before returning to Ireland for a short time. She completed senior high school It had been on the cards for a while but the in Australia. After graduation, she secured a appointment of Caroline Kennedy as America’s role in the mining sector as a Contracts and ambassador to Australia was confirmed in Procurement junior officer. She then moved May. The daughter of the late US president into Information Management and has John F Kennedy (pictured together) she is a spent the better part of a decade leading the heavyweight in her own right, including as implementation of document management a former ambassador to Japan, making her systems in national and international projects. an ideal pick of diplomat fro the Indo-Pacific region (which is very much in Australia’s She has lived in the City of Joondalup for neck of the woods), particularly at a time the majority of her life in Australia, and has when tensions and relations in the region are been an active community volunteer since mounting and worsening. her early teens, when she was part of the Joondalup Youth Advisory Council. She has since continued to volunteer in the community, and in 2021 she ran as a candidate for the North Ward in the City of Joondalup Local Elections. “I was not motivated by an ambition to become a politician. Instead, I wanted to advocate on behalf of the people of Joondalup. My aim was to ensure that our community’s concerns and interests were being heard and addressed.” she added. “The need for better community outcomes inspired me to become more involved at a local government level. I ran as 40 | THE IRISH SCENE

Politics Like her dad, she has a strong affinity for Ireland and was there in 2013 for a special ceremony for an eternal flame to him in Dunganistan, Co. Wexford, to mark the 50th anniversary of his epic trip to the country in 1963. We get what matters to you. Same Sex Family Law Adoption Property Settlements Surrogacy Binding Financial Agreements Family Violence Orders De Facto Relationships Contact/Custody Enduring Power of Attorney Enduring Power Guardianship Family Friendly, Family Lawyers 165/580 Hay Street Perth WA 6000 T: (08) 6557 5888 E: [email protected] kavanaghfamilylawyersperth.com.au THE IRISH SCENE | 41

Politics Premier’s premier Dublin visit initiatives to attract international workers, skilled workers for key industries, backpackers Premier Mark McGowan ticked off an item off for hospitality, agriculture and students to WA, his bucket list recently, one he shared with a and the dedicated ‘Belong’ advertising and recruitment campaign to attract healthcare packed Irish Club on St. Patrick’s Day last year. workers. “I don’t know if realise but my last name is “The State Government will also expand its Irish....my heritage on both sides are all Irish… marketing of the ‘Build a Life in WA’ campaign and one of my life ambitions actually is to go back to Ireland – I’ve never been there”, he [originally aimed at other Australian states] to said to a big reaction from the welcoming attract construction and trade workers from crowd! However, that changed recently for Mr McGowan when he jetted off to Europe in late Ireland and European markets.” June. But his visit to Dublin was not as a tourist or in search of his Irish roots. Also wearing his hat as state treasurer Mr McGowan pledged to promote WA as a safe Flying out on June 25 the trip was more FIFO and incredible place to live, study, visit and do than Family Fortune. He headed up a trade business on the Reconnect WA mission. and tradies mission to try and lure investment and skilled workers from Ireland. He is using On the last day of parliament before he flew the start of the direct Perth to Rome Qantas out Mr McGowan explained what he would be flight as a launching pad for a wider offensive. up too. “I will be going to Ireland to promote After a busy round of meetings and talks in opportunities to move to Western Australia Rome and he set course for the UK and Ireland. to undertake work in our state, particularly in construction, mining, health care, hospitality “In his capacity as Treasurer, financial industry and tourism,” he told the Legislative Assembly engagements will be a focus of events in on June 23. “We have a record number of jobs available. As we know, it is a very tight labour London and Dublin with banks and investors, market, and a lot of businesses, and indeed as part of the mission led by the Western hospitals, are looking for additional staff. Australian Treasury Corporation to help deliver Ireland has always been a ready-made location better outcomes for WA’s borrowing program,” for people who want to come and live in the press release added. Western Australia and fill some of those “In a first, the Premier will visit Dublin on positions. Whilst in Ireland, I will be having a a range of economic and skilled workforce meeting with the President of Ireland, Michael matters with the aim of attracting more skilled Higgins, who came out here a few years ago. workers from Ireland to WA to take up jobs in He was re-elected to that role, and I look forward to seeing President Higgins again. residential construction, healthcare, hospitality, I will be having a meeting with the Prime tourism and the mining sector. Minister of Ireland, Hon Micheál Martin, as well. This will be a very productive set of events to “This builds on the McGowan Government’s promote Western Australia and ensure that efforts to attract more skilled workers to WA, we continue on the pathway of being the strongest economy in Australia and probably including the $195 million Reconnect WA the world.” package which includes With a hectic schedule like that it is highly unlikely he got a chance to do anything for himself personally, but who knows his brief time there might even have inspired Mr McGowan to return for a holiday and to track down his Irish ancestors. 42 | THE IRISH SCENE

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Catalpa Monday April 10, 2023 Mark it in your diary! I n the long timeline that is Heritage Association has staged an annual Irish history Easter Monday commemoration at the Catalpa memorial. is a key date in Ireland and Western Australia. Now a major re-enactment of the events of Easter Monday, 17 April 1876 that has been It is best known perhaps as three years in the making is planned for Easter the day on which the Easter Monday 2023. Rising started in April 1916, an important moment that “It will be an iconic event with two core helped lead to the creation elements,” said Laurie Smith, Chair of the of the modern nation Ireland Rockingham Catalpa Rescue Project. is today. A large free festival of Irish culture, music food But it is also a significant and entertainment, will be held in park on the occasion to the story of coast and close to Railway Terrace, the main Ireland for reasons much street of Rockingham. There will also be two closer to home for the Irish performances on the day of a 90 minute long community in Western re-enactment of the events of the day. Australia. “Three carts bringing six prisoners and others Indeed, exactly forty years will arrive at Railway Terrace and they will to the day before the Easter proceed down to the beach where they will Rising began a group of be met by Captain George Anthony and the Irish patriots struck a blow rowers from Catalpa,” he added. “Once they get for their freedom – literally – and the cause of to the beach there will be a whaling row boat Ireland in one of the most dramatic and daring – an exact replica of the type used by George prison breaks in modern history. Anthony – that we’ve been fortunate enough to get from the Albany Maritime Museum. They’ll On Easter Monday, 17 April 1876, six Fenian be rowed out to the Catalpa, our wonderful prisoners who had been transported on the last three masted STS Leeuwin II, a great replica convict ship to Australia – Hougoumont – made good their escape from the Swan River Colony against the most incredible odds onboard the American Whaling ship Catalpa, an escape orchestrated by many of their compatriots in America, Ireland and Western Australia. More than a century later and a generation of Irishmen like Ormonde Waters, Liam Barry and Brendan Woods (now all sadly deceased) all equally passionate about our history used their respective talents to document and share the incredible Fenian story of Western Australia. Today that legacy is carried on by the likes of Dublin born Peter Murphy and the John Boyle O’Reilly Association. Their work and the efforts of others helped lay the path for the Catalpa Escape Wild Geese Memorial on Rockingham Beach – designed by local WA Irish sculptors Joan Walsh and Charlie Smith – in 2005. Since then the Australia Irish 44 | THE IRISH SCENE

Catalpa for the purposes of the balance.” A prospectus with event and the day. One of the sponsorship details has been printed for the good things about historic project. Rockingham is that the deep water In 2024 the Rockingham Catalpa Rescue comes within 50 Project organisers intend to repeat and expand metres of the shore the event to include Fremantle, another part where we expect of WA steeped in the Fenian story and home 10,000 people will be to kindred spirits in the Fenians Fremantle at the park for the and Freedom Festival Committee and Joanna Irish festival, able to Robertson, director of Kidogo Arthouse at the see this magnificent historic bathers beach and Freo locals Joy and ship just about 100 Mike LeFroy, authors of the book The Catalpa metres away. Once Escape, and many others. they get on board we have another “Following a successful implementation in 2023, ship that has been we aim to grow the event annually to involve donated to us, which more Irish groups and stakeholders in the the maritime experts program, culminating in a two-day event for say is the closest thing 150th anniversary of the Catalpa Adventure in to the (police boat) 2026,” he added. Georgette that will be nearby. The bloke who owns her has kindly indicated he has an old cannon which can make a big noise and which he can get, so she’ll be firing a couple of shots which will be dramatic and a great spectacle. “There will also be excellent narration so nobody will be in any doubt about what’s happening and on the oval there will also be a large screen on which our incredible cinematographer Paul Barron will show what transpired a few hours earlier when they got out of the prison. And Paul will be filming the whole thing, so all in all quite an amazing event.” Laurie said there has been an amazing groundswell of support for the project, which will cost his Rotary Club approximately $280,000 to produce. “We are expecting City of Rockingham to put in about half of that and I’m sure the WA community will put in Phone 08 9401 1900 [email protected] • mckeefunerals.com.au Helping Your family THE IRISH SCENE | 45

Whaling barque at Rockingham Jetty circa 1890s. F orget for a moment it was Major Edmund Next it was the French in 1792, in a race with Lockyer in 1826 the first white fellow to the British to claim WA on behalf of their serial claim Western Australia on behalf of the invader Napoleon Bonaparte. British Empire, known then by the Dutch as New Holland, and who far back as 1627 Anyway, imagine for a moment it had been mapped the WA coastline as an addition to the French and not the British to invade WA. their expanding empire. Before the Dutch Would us blow-ins now be speaking with a it was claimed the Portuguese were WA’s French accent, and instead of having porridge first invaders, while still speculated by some for breakfast, croissants, and rather than being historians, it may have been the Chinese. referred to as ‘Aussies’, ‘Frozzies’? 46 | THE IRISH SCENE Then we Irish arrived, all dressed up in our

Catalpa at anchor in Catalpa Koombana Bay Western Australia. Damn Yankee Whalers! BYPETERMURPHY convict suits and with nowhere to go, except on a chain gang toiling in the bush. I’ll come back to us Irish later. It must have been a sight for First Nations people to see ships from different countries arriving on their shores, and engage in donnybrooks over land they had occupied for over 50000 years, and if the invading parties had only bothered to ask were they willing to share their land, rather than take it by force, I’m sure they could have come to some arrangement. Little however is talked about those other invaders from the northern hemisphere, the Americans. That’s right, well before the French, English and Irish had set foot in WA, the Americans – since the mid-eighteen century - had been coming and going to WA faster than homesick Dubliners. Thing was about the Americans - unlike the Dutch, French and English - they weren’t in the least interested in invading WA and planting the Stars and Stripes, as the Dutch had with a plaque 100 years previous. They were more like Vikings, interested solely in plundering the riches of the surrounding seas, thereby leaving First Nations people not only bereft of their ocean resource such as fish, whales, seals, molluscs and mutton birds, but they also left a bloody stain still to be acknowledged and reconciled with. Evidence of American whalers visiting WA was first documented when two whaling barques, Asia and Alliance were spotted off Shark Bay in April 1792 by a British maritime expedition led by Captain George Vancouver, while the British military outpost established in King George Sound (Albany) in 1826 under the command of Major Lockyer reported the Catalpa poster - Denver USA. THE IRISH SCENE | 47

Irish whalers. Sound was used largely Barque Catalpa (circa 1876). by American whalers. to produce the best quality oil used to flicker Of course the Irish street lamps in the developing world. were never far from the fray around that They had made the perilous three month period. Take for voyage from faraway American eastern ports, instance, Patrick such as New Bedford, New London, Nantucket Ryan, 33, sentenced and Sag Harbour, while it’s oft reported the Yankee whaling fleet at its peak during the early to transportation 1800s numbered up to 700 vessels, and 70000 in 1822 for horse men were engaged in the industry. stealing. Ryan, a sawyer by trade, was It’s difficult to say what effect these Yankee one of a group of whalers had on the overall lives and culture 23 convicts sent to of First Nations people; however it has been widely reported there was a burgeoning trade the Sound under between both parties, and with fresh drinking the command of water, kangarooBaarnqude wCataallplaab(cyircam18e7a6)t, along with Lockyer to help certain bush medicines useful in combating build the military scurvy and dysentery in demand, and traded in outpost. return for sugar, flower, molasses and chocolate. Ryan however had other ideas, and began Sadly there were reports of Yankee whalers to plot with his fellow convicts a rebellion to kidnapping (black-birding) First Nations young seize the outpost including its munitions. men and women to be sold as slaves on cotton farms in America’s Deep South, and with some He began to make his move in January 1826 of the women used as sexual objects by crew by having his fellow convicts down tools and members during the long seasonal whale hunt. refusing to work. Lockyer, aware of Ryan’s nefarious intention, quickly nipped the revolt A yarn with an Irish connection involving a in the bud by having the Irish rebel arrested, sailor on a Yankee whaler is an interesting one tied up and flogged. After receiving numerous to say the least. His name was William Amsley, lashes Ryan capitulated and promised he’d aged 21, said to be a native of Cape Verde, off behave. Had Ryan’s little revolt succeeded it the West Coast of Africa. It’s doubted however could have possibly changed the course of that was his real name, as in those days it wasn’t unusual due to the number of desertions by early European history in WA, and rather crew members when visiting exotic ports, their than being referred to as ‘Aussies’ or identification papers were handed over to the next available (slave) man. ‘Frozzies’, it may have been William arrived in Koombana Bay (Bunbury) ‘Paddies’. on the whaling barque North America in 1843. Back to them damn ‘Yankee whalers’ as they were referred to by British settlers. Since mid-eighteen century, numerous American whalers plied the WA coast between King George Sound and Shark Bay in the hunt for whales, and with the Sperm Whale their preferred catch due to its blubber, said 48 | THE IRISH SCENE

Catalpa However, the barque had just arrived when Barque Catalpa (circa 1876). a violent storm lashed the bay wrecking the barque. Destitute and with no means Barque Catalpa (circa 1876) of support, William put himself forward to a local whaling merchant as a ‘gun’ sperm, and three years out; Yankee whaler, and it wasn’t long before The last six months in the tropics, and looking he was made master of a whaleboat, which in vain for spout, would sustain him in wages, food and Five men up on the yards, weary of straining accommodation over a number of years. their sight; And every day like its brother – just morning And although becoming a respected and noon and night – whaler and seaman in the Koombana Bay Nothing to break the sameness; water and region, William ‘being a man colour’ would wind and sun, find it difficult to wed a woman of Anglo Motionless, gentle and blazing – never a Saxon origin, and it was only when the 3 change in one.’ (Extract from ‘The Amber ‘Brideships’ arrived from Ireland in 1854 did Whale’) William manage to secure the hand of one, Johanna Fennell. It would take another 100 years before it was realized whales had been slaughtered almost Several years later, William would take to extinction, and with the last whaling station command of the 17-ton cutter Brothers which in WA at Albany hanging up its harpoons in plied the Indian Ocean between Fremantle the late 1970s. But who could ever imagine and King George Sound delivering mail and twenty years on, tourism in the form of ‘whale provisions to settlers, where in between, Joanna watching’ would generate far more income into would give birth to several children. the Albany community then was previously generated during the slaughter of these William would unfortunately pass away at majestic mammals? the age of 51, thereby leaving Joanna to raise the children on her own. Struggling to make As I wrote this Iceland decided to ban whaling ends meet, she married a George Grant within two years, thereby leaving Japan the from Busselton. However, not long after that only country in the civilized world to continue marriage, Grant deserted her leaving her on with the slaughter. Note: Kings Cottage again to struggle to care for her children. Museum (Bunbury) displays a number of Joanna carried on best she could to raise her artifacts salvaged from the Yankee whaler family, and with some of them later becoming North America (see image attached). prominent athletes in the district. She remained in Busselton until her death in 1890. Peter Murphy is a member of the Fremantle Fenian Festival Committee, and author of two Of course the Irish connection to Yankee novels (Fenian Fear and Fenian 63) based on whalers doesn’t end there. For it was the Fenianism in mid-nineteenth century Australia, Yankee whaler Gazelle that plucked Irish and available for purchase at Fremantle Prison, political prisoner and poet, John Boyle O’Reilly, Fremantle Arts Centre, and New Edition from a remote beach north of Bunbury in bookstore in High St, Fremantle, or by email: 1869 in a dramatic escape that would lead [email protected]. eventually to another Yankee whaler Catalpa being involved in the dramatic escape in 1876 of six of O’Reilly’s Fenian comrades still locked up in Fremantle prison, and like O’Reilly, were whisked safely to America. Ironically, O’Reilly, on the Gazelle, would find himself on the end of a harpoon in chase of whales, and where during one particular chase, found himself the hunted rather than the hunter after falling overboard. He would later pen a poem citing his experience on the Gazelle: ‘We were down in the Indian Ocean, after the THE IRISH SCENE | 49

CLADDAGH SENIORS The Claddagh Senior Group held their first winter event on Tuesday 21st of June 2022 at Event Cinema in Innaloo, for a light lunch followed by private movie viewing. The group watched “The Drovers wife”. It was such a wonderful turn out and they all enjoyed the day out and are looking forward to our next event. All senior members of the Irish Community in WA are welcome to join the group. If you, or a senior you know from the Irish community, would like to attend events in 2022, you can register by calling Patricia Bratton on 0417 099 801/08 9345 3530 or by contacting the Claddagh office via admin@claddagh. org.au/08 9249 9213. TECH SAVVY SENIOR The Claddagh Association is launching a Senior Digital training program in July, which is sponsored by Emigrant Support Program (ESP) Grant. This program is jam packed with everything you need to know from cyber security to how to utilise social media daily. If you our interested in this program please email : [email protected] or call us on 08 9249 9213 50 | THE IRISH SCENE