Thursday, May 14, 2020 COMMUNITYNEWS.COM.AU

Page 6

A NEW

DOOR

OPENS

INSIDE

A YEAR 11 boy will

remain in custody after

pleading guilty to

wielding an illegal gel

gun and a knife at his

suburban high school,

as the principal moved

to reassure parents the

incident did “not reflect

the high standards and

good behaviour” that

were the norm.

The teenager fronted

Perth Children’s Court

on Tuesday where he

pleaded guilty to charg-

Gun at

school

CONTINUED PAGE 3

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GOLF PAGE 15

Your guide to the local businesses coming out oflockdown — let’s show them some love

NEWS .......................................................................... 1-7

RED SHIELD APPEAL .................................................. 6

CRIME............................................................................. 7

OPEN FOR BUSINESS .................................................. 8

REAL ESTATE ............................................................. 10

CLASSIFIEDS .......................................................... 11-13

MOTORING ................................................................. 14

SPORT .......................................................................... 15

CO

NT

AC

T U

SIN

SID

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communitynews.com.au

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/CanningMelville

/TheCanningTimes

2 NEWS May 14, 2020

Editorial Director: Amanda Keenan

News Production: David Friedlos

Design: Carly Pilton

Features Editor: Arylene Westlake-Jennings

Digital Editor: Alison Middleton

General inquiries: 9237 1000

Email: south@communitynews.com.au

Reporters:

Carmelle Wilkinson 9237 1464

(Canning, South Perth)

Sarah Brookes 9237 1455

(Belmont, Victoria Park)

Photographers:

David Baylis, Andrew Ritchie

Group Sales Director:

Max Wilson 0420 927511

Business Development Managers:

Martin Graham 0466 318996

Contact Centre/Trades:

Ilsa Yates 9237 1465

Distribution: 08 9237 1630

Published by: Community Newspaper Group

50 Hasler Road, Osborne Park WA 6017.

Printed by Colourpress

54 Hasler Road, Osborne Park WA 6017.

THE City of Canning is pro-

viding quick cash for small

businesses, not-for-profit

community and sporting or-

ganisations, and unincorpo-

rated groups affected by the

COVID-19 pandemic.

Eligible groups can apply

for a small grant of up to

$1000 or a digital grant of up

to $2500. The Resilience

Grant applications close

May 18; visit www.connec-

tincanning.com.au/can-

ning-resilience-grants.

Funding relief

Crush Juice proprietorsErsan Alkir and Ozge Kotil.

A 25-YEAR-OLD mother

struggling with four chil-

dren stole a credit card from

a letterbox before going on a

$600 shopping spree, includ-

ing make-up, at Carousel in

Cannington on March 27.

Amber Rose Allen pleaded

guilty to the MasterCard

theft, three counts of fraud

totalling $394.50 and an

attempted $238 fraud at the

Perth Magistrates Court last

Friday.

Police prosecutor Ser-

geant Mike O’Leary said

Allen took a letter contain-

ing a new debit card from a

letterbox in Riley Street,

Carlisle, about 2.55pm on

March 27 before she and a

female friend used it to buy

train tickets to travel to

Carousel shopping centre.

The card was used to

spend $56 on beauty prod-

ucts at 3.50pm and a $233

purchase about 4pm, before

a $238 spend about 4.30pm

was declined.

“She as arrested in Bays-

water on April 24 and made

full admissions,” Sergeant

O’Leary said.

The facts were not contest-

ed by the defence.

Allen has three children

aged three to 10, the youn-

gest of whom is being cared

for by her grandmother aged

in her 80s.

The maximum prison sen-

tence for Allen’s crimes was

two years

She was fined $1000 for all

the crimes and $118.50 costs.

Mum fined overretail fraud spreeJon Bassett

May 14, 2020 NEWS 3

es of being armed in a way

that may cause fear, and

threats to injure, endanger

or harm any person after the

drama at prestigious Willet-

ton Senior High School on

Monday afternoon.

School principal Trevor

Hunter sent an email to par-

ents first thing Tuesday

morning to “provide further

clarification around an inci-

dent at school ... involving

one student.”

In the email Mr Hunter

said the first the school

knew about the 16-year-old

student brandishing a gel

blaster gun and a knife was

when police arrived after

someone, believed to be a

student, provided a tip-off

through Crime Stoppers.

“Police advised us that the

information they received

was that there had not been

any threats to use either of

these items.

“We followed police

instructions and they spoke

with one student. I under-

stand they have now laid

charges.

“This incident does not

reflect the high-standards

and good behaviour that is

the norm at our school.

“If you have any concerns

about this matter, please

contact me at the school.

“I want to assure you that

no other students were

impacted and the situation

was well managed. If you

have any concerns, please

contact me at the school.”

Mr Hunter assured par-

ents that “an incident of this

nature is very rare at Willet-

ton Senior High School and

we take it very seriously.’

The incident sparked fear

among classmates and

resulted in Cannington

detectives and police officers

raiding the school grounds

on Monday afternoon.

It is understood the teen,

who is in Year 11, had been

showing off the blaster to

friends.

The school was not put

into lockdown after the blas-

ter was discovered.

An Education Depart-

ment spokeswoman praised

the school’s handling of the

situation.

The boy will reappear in

court next month.

School gun shockFROM PAGE 1

CANNING residents will be

able to visit the library again

next week but a swim in the

local pool will have to wait,

with the City of Canning

confirming both leisure-

plexes would not be reopen-

ing its doors.

Premier Mark McGowan

last weekend announced the

reopening of libraries and

some community facilities

in phase two of the State’s

road to recovery from the

coronavirus pandemic.

As part of the staged reo-

pening, libraries, communi-

ty centres, pools, cafes and

restaurants can reopen from

Monday, May 18, but must

adhere to a strict 20-person

limit.

Canning Mayor Patrick

Hall said due to the large

number of people that

usually used the Canning-

ton and Riverton Leisure-

plexes, neither would not be

reopening on Monday.

“Normally we have 3200

people come through our

two leisure centres each

day,’’ he said.

“The 20-person restric-

tion, the need for physical

distancing and the rules

around not sharing equip-

ment mean we simply could

not operate the same level of

service our community has

come to expect.”

“While our leisure centres

remain closed, we are taking

the time to upgrade some of

our facilities. We are also

working on our COVID-19

safety plans to ensure that

when we do reopen more of

our facilities, we can do so

with absolute confidence.”

He confirmed the City of

Canning would reopen facil-

ities through a staged

approach, with Cannington

Library the first facility to

reopen its doors on May 18.

The popular click and col-

lect service will also be

extended, with library mem-

bers able to reserve items

and pick up from more

library locations.

Indoor and outdoor com-

munity facilities will also be

available for bookings from

Monday.

Mr Hall has asked resi-

dents to be patient as staff

prepare for the staged reo-

pening of facilities.

“There are a number of

practical considerations,

including new protocols and

processes that we need to

work through before we can

reopen certain facilities,’’ he

said.

“We also want to ensure

that when we do so we are

meeting the needs and

expectations of our com-

munity whilst complying

with COVID safety plans.”

Staff are planning for the

reopening of more facilities,

including the council ad-

ministration building and

Canning River Eco Educa-

tion Centre soon.

For the latest about the

City’s response to COVID-19,

visit www.canning.wa.gov.

au/coronavirus.

Next chapter in recoveryCarmelle Wilkinson

LOCAL residents can still

donate food to people in

need during the coronavi-

rus pandemic with the

launch of Drive and Drop

Hubs at Vinnies shops

across the city.

Canning Mayor Patrick

Hall was one of the first

through the doors this

week when he dropped off a

donation at the organisa-

after items.

The hubs will not operate

as retail outlets.

The four locations will

also be able to accept other

donations such as clothes,

toys and homewares.

Drive and Drop Hub loca-

tions and opening times can

be found on Vinnies WA

website at vinnieswa.

org.au.

government areas where

Vinnies Drive and Drop

Hubs have been established

shines a spotlight on the

number of needy families

within our own district and

the social crisis that exists

right here on our doorstep.”

Only non-perishable food

donations are encouraged,

with rice and pasta being

some of the most sought-

would provide immediate

support to vulnerable peo-

ple in the local area.

“I urge our residents to

be compassionate, give

what they can and drop off a

much-needed parcel of

non-perishable food items

to Vinnies in Canning

Vale,’’ he said.

“Canning’s selection as

one of only four local

tion’s Canning Vale outlet

on Monday.

These donations, which

can also be made in Morley,

Stirling and Wanneroo, will

be placed in specially pre-

pared hampers that will be

delivered by volunteers to

people in the community

experiencing hardship.

Mr Hall said the Vinnies

Drive and Drop initiative

Canning Mayor Patrick Hall (left) delivers a donation to St Vinnies. Picture: Andrew Ritchie

Vinnies drive a new way to help the needy

4 NEWS May 14, 2020

FOR Queens Park teenagerMarc Phegley-Giura, livingwith cystic fibrosis (CF) issimilar to life underCOVID-19.

The 17-year-old has for hiswhole life practised socialdistancing, washed hishands regularly and avoidedothers who were sick toavoid the risk of infection.

Like others with CF, eventhe common cold couldresult in a stint in hospital.

CF affects every organ inthe body but primarily man-ifests itself in the lungs,where it causes a build-up ofthick sticky mucus.

This can become infected,leading to permanent dam-age and in some cases theneed for a lung transplant.

Marc, who recentlyreturned to the classroom,spends two hours a day inthe morning and afternoondoing treatment and physioto manage the condition.

His mum Emma saidwhile the teenager took it allin his stride, life withCOVID-19 thrown into themix has been more stressful.

“I work in retail so I’mconcerned with what I couldbring home,’’ she said.

“Marc was pulled fromschool two weeks beforethey shut them down and

he’s just gone back, but itprobably won’t be full-timefor a little bit.”

Due to COVID-19, therewon’t be a sea of roses soldon the streets for the CF’slargest annual fundraisingday later this month, but thepublic can still show theirsupport digitally. On May 22,65 Roses Day is a chance forthe public to help raise fundsfor Cystic Fibrosis WA andhelp find a cure for CF.

People can buy a digitalrose to support the 400 peo-ple in WA living with the dis-order. A digital rose can bepurchased from rosegarde-n.org.au and will be sent viaemail.

Rosyoutlook

Marc Phegley-Giura is joining the online 65 Rose Day fundraiser for cystic fibrosis.

Carmelle Wilkinson

May 14, 2020 NEWS 5

THE owners of Riverton Bar

and Grill say it is unlikely

they will open its doors for a

few weeks despite the easing

of restrictions from Monday.

The State Government

has announced phase two of

the road map to open up the

economy will start on May

18 with the restart of dine-in

services at cafes, restau-

rants and pubs.

However, the move is lim-

ited to 20 patrons and with

the 4sq m rule applied for

social distancing, exposing a

divide between big and small

proprietors, many popular

outlets are unlikely to open

just yet.

Riverton Bar and Grill

owner Nat Helwig said his

venue had the capacity for

500 patrons, so a 20-diner

limit could not justify the

bar reopening.

“We would need at least

100 people to make it viable,

but we would consider open-

ing when the limit goes to 50,

so we might have to wait a

while longer,’’ Mr Helwig

said.

In the meantime, locals

can still enjoy their favou-

rite pub meal takeaway, with

orders being taken over the

phone and online.

The owner of Australia’s

largest pub in Burswood, the

Camfield, agreed that it was

not financially viavble for

many venues to open.

Tim McLernon, who man-

ages the Camfield as well as

The Stables Bar and Reveley

in Perth, said they were con-

sidering opening one venue

first and seeing how that

went for a couple of weeks

before opening more.

“Most larger venues will

not be able to open given

such a small allowed capac-

ity of 20 people but it will

probably help the smaller

husband-and-wife oper-

ations in the suburbs, which

is a positive result and a good

start,” he said.

“Given the remarks by the

Premier Mark McGowan

and Health Minister Roger

Cook at the weekend, it

seems as if we are a very

long way off having hospi-

tality venues operate even

close to normally, so it is

going to be a very tough six

months ahead. “Many pubs

and restaurants will not sur-

vive the next three months,

through absolutely no fault

of their own doing, so it’s a

very tough environment to

be caught in.”

Mr McGowan said the

resumption of dine-in ser-

vices at cafes and restau-

rants was an important step

forward in WA’s recovery.

“These are some of the

hardest hit local businesses

and I feel deeply for those

who have been forced to

close and staff who have lost

their job,” he said.

Canning Mayor Patrick

Hall welcomed the State

Government announcement

around easing restrictions

on cafes and restaurants.

“It is great to see restric-

tions starting to lift for some

of our local businesses,’’ he

said. “We are keen to work

with local cafes and restau-

rants to identify how they

can use alfresco areas to

increase their patronage

within the guidelines set out

by the State Government.”

Not all goodcheer for pubsCarmelle Wilkinson

BACK INBUSINESSJust some of the storesopen again are Betts, CityBeach, Colette, CottonOn, Foot Locker, Mecca,Pandora, Strandbags,Typo and Zamels withmore reopening soon.

SECOND-HAND charity

stores have begun reopen-

ing after the COVID-19

pandemic forced their clo-

sure, with organisations

predicting the colder tem-

peratures will see a surge

in demand for winter

clothes and emergency

assistance.

With the easing of cor-

onavirus restrictions

announced by the State

and Federal governments,

Vinnies WA reopened

stores last Thursday in

Cannington, Belmont,

Kalamunda, Halls Head,

Joondalup and at its Bun-

bury Depot.

Vinnies retail oper-

ations manager Signe

Balodis said reopening op-

shops was a top priority

for the charity group so it

could continue to meet

community need, espe-

cially as winter

approached.

“This means people can

again have direct access to

our emergency assistance

for clothes and household

goods, but it is also an op-

portunity for our custom-

ers to have an affordable

shopping experience

again,” she said.

“Our shops are ready to

go and fully stocked with

winter clothing, so we re-

ally encourage everyone

to come back and see us.”

The next stage of shops

openings is planned for

late May, which could see a

further 16 shops across

WA open for retail shop-

ping and to accept dona-

tions. Shop trading hours

will be initially Tuesdays

to Saturdays, 11am-4pm.

Charities seize opportunity

Vinnies volunteer Joann Copeman in the Belmont store ahead of its reopening lastweek. Picture: David Baylis

Sarah Brookes

6 NEWS May 14, 2020

THE Salvation Army is tak-ing its annual doorknockappeal into the digital realmas it braces for morerequests for help this winter.

After more than 55 yearsof knocking on doors eachMay, the charity will take itsRed Shield Appeal for dona-tions online this year in re-sponse to COVID-19restrictions.

Captain Simone Smalleysaid while some peoplereceiving higher Centrelinkpayments were better off atthe moment, other families

who had lost their incomewere struggling.

“We are now seeing peoplecontacting our services thathave never had to ask forhelp ever in their lives,” shesaid.

“That’s a really difficultsituation for people to be in;it is quite confronting.

“We anticipate the num-bers are going to risethrough winter especially.”

The charity hopes to enlist10,000 volunteers to becomedigital fundraisers for theirnearest Red Shield Appeal,which can be found via dig-italdoorknock.salvationar-

my.org.au.It has community centres

and churches across Perth,including in Bentley.

The money raised fromthe Red Shield Appeal Digi-tal Doorknock on May 23 and24 will support services pro-vided by each centre in theirlocal community.

“Whatever we raise meansthat we can help our localcommunity,” Capt. Smalleysaid. “We want to be in a po-sition to help as many peopleas we can.”

Donations can be made atsalvationarmy.org.au or bycalling 13 SALVOS (13 72 58).

Digital doorknockSalvation Army Captain Simone Smalley. Picture: David Baylis

Lucy Jarvis

May 14, 2020 NEWS 7

A MASS haul of drugs,

weapons and cash was

seized by police during a

series of raids in Perth on

the weekend.

Tactical Response Group

officers and Cannington

detectives searched homes

in Beckenham, Cannington,

East Cannington and River-

vale on Saturday.

They found handguns,

throwing knives, tasers, var-

ious illicit drugs, counterfeit

money and more than

$20,000 cash.

Cannington detectives

have charged two women

and seven men — aged be-

tween 18 and 59 — with vari-

ous offences relating to

drugs and weapons.

They will appear in court

in the coming weeks.

Weapons, cash seizedGuns and cash were among items seized during the Cannington district home raids.

Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 Police Assistance Line 131 444

CANNINGTON Detectives

have charged three men over

a violent armed robbery in

Langford last month.

Police allege that about

9.30am on April 19, the three

men followed the victim in

his 30s into his driveway on

Towton Way.

Detectives say one of the

men confronted the victim

and stole items from his veh-

icle, while a firearm was

allegedly discharged into

the victim’s vehicle and a

knife used to deflate the veh-

icle’s tyres.

On April 24 a 28-year-old

man from Spearwood was

arrested and on May 2 a 25-

year-old man from Girra-

wheen was arrested, both

charged with aggravated

armed robbery.

A 30-year-old man from

Balga was arrested during a

vehicle stop on May 7 and

charged with the same

offence, as well as discharg-

ing a firearm and having no

authority to drive.

Armedrobberycharges

THE City of Canning has

partnered with WA start-

up Climate Clever to help

residents cut their carbon

emissions.

The partnership aims to

help the Canning commun-

ity reduce household utili-

ty costs while taking action

on climate change.

To launch the partner-

ship, the City is giving 200

Canning households a

chance to have their first

year of membership to the

Climate Clever Home App

for free.

The app helps users mea-

sure and monitor home

utility use and costs, and

identify strategies to save

money.

It also calculates and

tracks carbon emissions

and provides advice on how

to be as efficient as possi-

ble.

Mayor Patrick Hall said

with many people now

potentially reduce house-

hold bills but do their bit

for the environment as

well.”

To sign up, residents can

visit www.climateclev-

er.org/homes and put in

the CanningCommunity

Member Code CanningWA.

munity to get in front of the

potential rises in energy in

the home and put in place

tangible efficiency mea-

sures that can help them

keep their costs under con-

trol,” he said.

“I encourage residents to

get involved and not only

working from home or find-

ing themselves without

employment, household

utility bills were a growing

concern.

“We know it is tough at

the moment for a lot of peo-

ple, so we are offering this

opportunity for our com-

Getting clever on climate

Monocle Optometry alsooffers the latest blue-lightblocking lenses, contactlenses and myopia(short-sightedness)treatment.

Appointments areavailable for people of allages, including children,and a no-rush approachensures each consultationincludes detailedexplanations accompaniedby genuine and friendlycare.

To book yourappointment, visitwww.monocleoptometry.com.au or call6370 4290.

state-of-the-artHeidelbergSpectralis OCT, ascanner usuallyonly used byophthalmologists.

When it comesto eyewear,MonocleOptometry stocksonly handcraftedindependentbrands, some ofwhich are exclusive to theirstore.

Sam and Carla value thequality of eyewear and eventravelled to Paris and Italyto personally select eachframe for their stunningcollection in NorthFremantle.

To offer the best opticalexperience, MonocleOptometry uses Germanlenses from Rodenstockwhich enables tailoring tocustomers’ individual needsresulting in exceptionalclarity, especially for thosewho have had troublegetting used to multi-focalsin the past.

HUSBAND and wife teamSam and Carla Schneiderare the proud owners ofMonocle Optometry andhave a passion for all thingseye related.

With more than 20 yearsof combined opticalexperience, they haveworked as optometrists inthe Perth area for the pastsix years.

“After refining ourclinical skills here in Perth,we figured it was time toopen our very own practiceso we could offer the eyecare you deserve,” Samsaid.

“We’re sure you’ll fall inlove with the eyewear likewe did.”

They use the latest inoptometry equipment,which can detect eyedisease including cataracts,glaucoma and maculardegeneration even beforethey become a problem,allowing for earlytreatment.

Each consultationincludes the use of the

FOR ALL THINGS EYES

COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2020 • 9

10

THERE is much to captivate

at this beautifully

renovated family home,

from the stylish living

spaces to the new floors,

plantation shutters and

modern light fittings.

The 707sq m property’s

well-maintained front

garden creates a great first

impression, with the

immaculate presentation

also characterising the

accommodation.

At the heart of the

single-level design, the

huge open-plan living and

meals area includes a

standout white kitchen

featuring a long

stone-topped island

bench/breakfast bar where

everyone can gather for a

quick meal.

It also has a skylight, wall

oven, microwave nook,

cooktop, mirrored

splashbacks, dishwasher

and double fridge recess.

Behind french doors, the

carpeted front lounge room

with a ceiling fan and gas

bayonet for heating

provides a comfortable

setting for more formal

occasions.

The master bedroom plus

built-in mirrored robe and

ensuite is in a rear wing

with one of the three

minors.

Outside, a wraparound

patio with blinds is perfect

for alfresco living and

entertaining.

Extras include

split-system airconditioning

units, a gas hot-water

system, CCTV security

system, enclosed triple

carport and new driveway.

The property is in the

catchment areas for

Willetton Primary School

and Willetton Senior High

School.

Renovated and ready4 2 3

21A Stringy Bark Ramble,Willetton$849,000-$879,000Agency: Top RealtyContact: Raymond Chen on0432 624 120

COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2020 • 11

12 • THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2020 COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2020 • 13

14

THE new fourth-generationSkoda Octavia might belonger, wider and smarterbut the options under thebonnet make it a car thathas come of age.

And it’s a good way forSkoda to celebrate its 125thanniversary, having beenfounded during thepioneering era of theautomobile, in 1895.

Skoda is one of thelongest-established carmanufacturers in the world,but the new incarnation ofthe ever-practical Octavia isa watershed in the model’s60-year history.

It has a radical range ofpower:� The plug-in hybrid —PHEV has a petrol engine,

an electric motor and awall-chargeable lithium-ionbattery.� Mild-hybrid technology,which helps to reduceconsumption.� A turbocharged 1.4-litrepetrol engine.� A diesel engine. Thislatest-generation EVOdiesel engine is said to emitup to 80 per cent fewernitrogen oxides because ofa new “twin dosing”process, whereby AdBlue isinjected selectivelyupstream of two SCRcatalytic convertersarranged in series. AdBlueis a diesel exhaust fluidthat’s a mix of urea anddeionised water.� It comes with naturalgas. In the Octavia G-TEC,17.7kg of compressed CNG

gives a range of up to523km.

Christian Strube, SkodaAuto board member fortechnical developmentreveals: “When wedeveloped the new Octavia,our focus was on loweringfuel consumption as well asCO2 and NOx emissions.

“In addition to theOctavia G-TEC, which runson natural gas, we now —for the first time — alsooffer a plug-in hybrid, theOctavia iV.

“The Octavia eTECfeatures new mild hybridtechnology, which helps toreduce consumption. Andthanks to the application ofa new ‘twin dosing’ methodof exhaust gas treatment,the latest EVO-generationdiesel engines emit around

80 per cent less nitrogenoxide.”

Outputs range from 81kW(110PS) to 150kW (204PS).

And the new Octavia isall grown up. It is 19mmlonger than its predecessorand 15mm wider, and allthat translates to moreshoulder width and kneeroom for passengers.

The company claims thenew Octavia hatchback isnow the most spacious carin its class.

Luggage capacity hasincreased by 10 litres to 600litres.

There’s plenty of safetytech, from the new collisionavoidance assist whichactively increases thesteering moment in theevent of an impendingcollision with a pedestrian,

cyclist or another vehicle,to turn assist which candetect other vehicles earlyon when turning in the faceof oncoming traffic at anintersection.

The exit warning systemlets the driver know ifanother vehicle or a cyclistis approaching from behindwhen opening the car door.

The infotainment systemsare permanently onlinethrough an integratedeSIM, and there are up tofive USB-C ports.

The Skoda Octavia issmartly designed,flawlessly constructed, fullof features and well priced.

It’s the sort of car thatsneaks in under the radar.� Skoda Octavia sedan autois from $27,390.� Skoda Octavia wagon

auto is from $29,490.� A five year, 75,000kmservice pack is $1400.

Czech mate... winnerStephen Scourfield

� Skoda has belonged toVolkswagen Group since1991 and last year sold1.24 million vehicles.� In the RAC’s analysis ofcar-running costs 2019,the Octavia fared well:the fuel-efficient SkodaOctavia 110TSi Sport atjust $18.83 a week. Costsconsidered includerunning costs (fuel, tyresand servicing), along withstanding costs (purchaseprice, depreciation,interest on loanrepayments, driver’slicence fees, taxes, stampduty, insurance premiumsand registration).

SIZE is hardly an issue withAudi’s new A1 Sportback.

If you’re a Shakespearebuff, it’s a case of ‘thoughshe be but little she isfierce’. Yep, A MidsummerNight’s Dream.

The baby of the pack hasturned into a vamp with awhole lot of attitude in100kW power and 250Nmtorque from the 35 TFSI1.5-litre four-cylinderengine mated to aseven-speed dual-clutchtransmission that combinesthe convenience of anautomatic with theefficiency of a manual.

It’s not surprising theSpanish-made A1 hasmuscled into second spot inthe upper-price ‘light’ carsegment this year with a 30per cent market share,though still behind popularMini Cooper Hatch, whichcommands 60 per cent ofsales nationwide.

Yes, the A1 does feeldecidedly light on the roadbut it’s the first car in its

class to achieve five-starsagainst ANCAP’s stricteractive safety criteria thatcame into force in 2018.

All variants launched inAustralia from November2019 have autonomousemergency braking withpedestrian and cyclistdetection, lane keep assistand emergency lanekeeping.

This makes it, err, adream to drive, the ultimateurban commute, deliveringwith sprightly accelerationand easy cornering, all withstriking good looks inmetallic python yellowthat’s a $990 extra to the$35,290 manufacturer’s listprice — you need to addon-roads to that — whichincludes auto light and rainsensors.

Parking is a cinch.Audi Australia said the

python yellow colourcomprised only a smallportion of sales, but suitedpeople who wanted to standout in a crowd.

As tested it was $39,270once you add the $2990

optional style package witheight-inch sport alloywheels, heated, electricallyadjusted and foldable sidemirrors, LED headlightsand LED interior moodlighting around the dashthat’s a nice touch butreflects annoyingly in theside mirror on the driver’sside at night.

The updated streetwiselook features a bigger,wider grille, halogenheadlights, short overhangs

and wing segments on theflanks for a muscular,sporty take on the demurefirst incarnation thattouched down in Australiaa decade ago.

There’s also been arevamp inside, which ismore angular andstreamlined across the dashthat features a digitalinstrument cluster and anintegrated 10.25-inchdisplay with smartphoneinterface that connects to

Apple CarPlay and AndroidAuto via USB.

Navigation with voicecontrol and 3D map displayis available with theTechnik package thatincludes an eight-speakersound system; ours hadonly six speakers.

All A1 models havewireless charging fordevices that support it andboth USB type-A and type-Cports at the front. Rearpassengers miss out.

Various functions arebuilt into the leathersteering wheel, includingphone call answer and end,but cruise control withspeed limiter is a blast fromthe past on a stalk andthere is no option toupgrade to adaptive cruisein this model.

Manual airconditioning isstandard. We didn’t see atemperature display andonly the top spec 40 TFSI Sline includes two-zoneclimate control.

Best of all the fun is inthe ride, with an idlestop-start system that

doesn’t miss a beat. It came close to the

claimed fuel consumptionof 5.8L/100km, oursranging between 6-6.5L/100km, depending ondriving conditions, and wehave no reason to doubt thestated acceleration from0-100km/h in 7.7 seconds.

Don’t think because it’ssmall the A1 is tight onspace. It’s severalcentimetres longer andtaller than its predecessors,so a couple of adults will fitin the back seat, which canbe folded right down.

Ultimate urban rideOlga de Moeller

AUDI A1VARIANT 35 TFSI StronicPRICE $39,270 as tested ENGINE 1.5-litrefour-cylinder turbo-petrol OUTPUTS 110kW/250NmTRANSMISSIONSeven-speed dual-clutchautomatic FUEL ECONOMY5.8L/100km

IN news that will suit golfing

enthusiasts to a tee, Whale-

back Golf Course in Park-

wood is among the

businesses reopening after

closing due to coronavirus

restrictions.

Safety measures have

been put in place to help stop

the spread of COVID-19 to

ensure golfers can again

enjoy a day on the green.

These include at least 4sq

m of space for each person, a

maximum of four players in

a group, one person per cart,

and all bookings and pay-

ments made online.

In addition, all shared

equipment will be sanitised

prior to future use, toilets

will be cleaned an extra

three times per day, and

hand soap dispensers and

paper towels made available

in all toilets. Food and coffee

is takeaway only.

Canning Mayor Patrick

Hall applauded the strong

measures to ensure the com-

munity could enjoy their

favourite sport and stay safe.

“We care about our com-

munity and have put these

restrictions in place to

ensure their health and safe-

ty,’’ he said.

“Playing golf is great for

your mental and physical

wellbeing. I encourage the

community to get out on the

green, with the restrictions

in mind, and enjoy being

outdoors at Whaleback.”

Opening hours for Whale-

back Golf Course have been

modified to 7am to 7pm,

Mondays to Sundays, with

the driving range selling the

last bucket of balls at 6pm.

Visit whalebackgolf.com.

au/guests/book.mhtml.

Green lightfor golf

Carmelle Wilkinson

Whaleback Golf Course has reopened after closing due to coronavirus restrictions.

May 14, 2020 SPORT 15

16 • THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2020 COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS