Western Australia Photo News

Topic: Photography

Tens of thousands gathered across Western Australia to commemorate Anzac Day, including in Geraldton.

This April, we bring you pictures of an AFL great's hometown return, sea creatures in strange places and memorials of different kinds.

Here are some of the best photos that illustrated our news coverage in Western Australia from across the month.

Crown whale

A grass-dwelling whale was a strange sight at Crown Perth.

It is not every day you see a metres-long whale on land, but this inflatable cetacean was an unexpected guest outside the Woodside annual general meeting at Crown in Perth.

It was accompanied by several protesters who opposed the energy giant's gas operations off the northern WA coast.

Lab corals

Lab-grown corals being subjected to heat-stress tests.

In WA's north, scientists from the Minderoo Foundation and Taronga Conservation Society are breeding more resilient corals to help restore the Ningaloo Reef.

Reporter Alistair Bates visited their laboratory in Exmouth and snapped this photo of a coral in literal 'hot water', with researchers turning up the heat to see just how much it could withstand before bleaching.

Fuel woes

Madison Young relies on her car to get to and from her job at odd hours.

Like many across the country and the world, hospitality worker Madison Young has been feeling the bite at the bowser as fuel prices stayed high in early April.

Fortunately, prices have since started dipping back to levels closer to those seen before the Middle East conflict broke out, but cost-of-living pressures remain at the forefront for many.

Anzac Day

WA Governor Chris Dawson with Di Ryder after she delivered her Welcome to Country speech.

Perth's Anzac Day dawn service, like several others across the nation, was marred by booing during the Welcome to Country, delivered by veteran and Whadjuk Noongar Elder Di Ryder.

The heckling was condemned by many, including Premier Roger Cook, and key RSL figures including national president Peter Tinley, who slammed it as 'disgusting' and showing 'disrespect'.

People came out in droves at one of the coldest Anzac Day ceremonies in WA.

Serving members of Australia's defence forces were honoured at the Kalgoorlie dawn service.

Elsewhere in the state, thousands braved the Albany cold to attend the coastal city's commemorations, while for those in Kalgoorlie, it was about remembering the fallen.

Death in custody memorial

Priscilla Kelly has been left devastated by the death of her daughter at Bandyup Women's Prison.

Perth mother Priscilla Kelly's face is illuminated by a candle she never hoped to light, at the memorial for her daughter who died in custody.

She was one of two inmates to die inside Bandyup Women's Prison in as many months, and the death has been called a 'damning reflection on this country'.

Police probe

The 13-year-old girl was left shaken by the incident on a Perth train.

In mid-April, video footage of an off-duty police officer restraining a 13-year-old girl on a Perth train was shared on social media and sparked outrage.

The girl, who can't be identified, sat down with the ABC to recount her ordeal, amid claims the officer used excessive force.

WA Police have launched an investigation into the officer's conduct.

AI fines

Some of Elli Figomnari's fines have been withdrawn, along with thousands of others.

Disability support worker Elli Figomnari has been facing the process of appealing fines issued by authorities using AI-assisted cameras on WA roads.

Four infringements she received related to a neurodivergent passenger, and while three of them have since been withdrawn, she is still dealing with the stress of the situation.

Those withdrawn fines are some of the more than $1 million worth of infringements withdrawn since the new cameras were rolled out six months ago

Cosmic debris

Dr Aaron Cavosie says australite finds are only reported once every year or two.

Despite being as old as the geological equivalent of 'last night' according to a planetary scientist, this 800,000 year-old cosmic debris known as an australite is a rare find.

Scientist Dr Aaron Cavosie inspects it closely, after Goldfields prospector Jim Miles brought him the object, which is made of re-solidified molten glass.

No-grounds evictions

Eleanor Kahlo left her rental home in April.

Renter Eleanor Kahlo left her home this month after a no-grounds eviction.

Her case was one of many complicated examples of no-grounds evictions, which are only allowed in Western Australia and the Northern Territory, and the details of her case were disputed on both sides.

April was also the same month that an Anglicare WA report revealed the state's rental vacancy rate was half the national figure.

Hometown footy

Lance 'Buddy' Franklin ran out for his first game for the Dowerin Tigers in more than two decades.

To AFL fans, Lance 'Buddy' Franklin is a household name, with more than 1,000 goals under his belt and two premierships in the can before he retired in 2023.

True to his roots, Franklin made a return to the Dowerin Tigers to play in the Wheatbelt town he grew up in, which was buzzing with excitement during the game.

Swimming world record

Andy Donaldson completed his record-breaking swim down the Ord River in just under 12 hours.

History was made late in the month as ultra-swimmer Andy Donaldson swam 55 kilometres down the Upper Ord River in the state's north — setting a world record.

A feat completed in just under 12 hours, Donaldson described the final leg of the incredible journey as 'really, really special'.