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Health Comments
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Australia’s birth rates plummet to record low

Australia’s fertility rate hit a record low of 1.5 births per woman, the lowest since 1935. The number of babies born in 2023 was also at a 17-year low.

Rebecca Parish and Claire Sadler

WA NewsCommentsTelethon to bring surfing lessons to family festival

Kids will be able to put their balance to the ultimate test with surfboards on bosu balls at this year’s Telethon Family Festival.

Claire Sadler

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
Spring win Comments
The West Australian exclusive
How you can get your hands on free tickets to Perth Zoo

West Aussie families are set to save at the Perth Zoo with free entry all the way through spring.

Joe Spagnolo

Farmhouse Flowers PremiumPemberton florist shares top tips at flower fest

Zoe Palmer, owner of Farmhouse Flowers in Pemberton, will share gardening tips and tricks at Nannup Flower and Garden Festival this weekend.

Anjelica Smilovitis

Connecting familiesPremiumBridgetown speech therapist helps family connect

New speech therapist in Bridgetown raises awareness about the importance of early children’s speech therapy for families to connect and enjoy life together.

Anjelica Smilovitis

Human InterestCommentsPremiumHeartwarming surprise reno for family battling rare disorder

Community spirit has shone through a surprise home renovation for the Gilpins family in Albany, who had to travel to the US for their nine-year-old to undergo experimental treatment for a rare disorder.

Georgia Campion

Holiday fun PremiumIN PICTURES: Local families celebrate WA Day in Albany

Thongs flew over attendees’ heads as Albany locals gathered at the Museum of the Great Southern to celebrate WA Day. 

Hannah Whitehead

Uncover family historyPremiumUncover stories which shaped the family lineage

Who am I?

Anjelica Smilovitis

Biting hardPremiumStressed parents cut back costs amid spending squeeze

More than 8300 parents respondents to a national survey revealed their concerns about about cost of living pressures, social media and screen time, and their child’s wellbeing.

Claire Sadler

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
PolicePremium
The West Australian exclusive
Chilling note found at murder-suicide scene

A chilling note left behind by a man found dead alongside his wife has emerged as a key piece of evidence for homicide investigators trying to piece together their suspected murder suicide.

Phil Hickey

Tourism CommentsPremiumPerth family’s nine-month EV journey around Australia

The McLennans from Perth have embarked on an ambitious nine-month journey around Australia in an electric vehicle towing a pop-up caravan, with the family set to hit Broome in the coming weeks. 

Cain Andrews

opinion
opinion
Andrew Miller CommentsPremium
opinion
Family life is beautiful, sad and full of regrets of absence

Family life is beautiful, sad and of regrets at not being there

Andrew Miller

Southern holiday eventsCommentsGone down south for the holidays but don’t know what to do?

It can be tricky finding ways to keep the kids entertained over the school holidays, but this guide will help you find some of the fun events happening in the Great Southern.

Josiah McMeekin

‘Couldn’t be more in love’CommentsPerth supermum celebrates birth of 10TH child on birthday

Perth’s supermum has much to celebrate after giving birth to her tenth child on her 31st birthday, announcing the joyous news to her 460,000 Instagram followers.

Elisia Seeber

‘continually let down’CommentsFamilies indignant as cost-of-living favours metro residents

Regional families are expecting the State Government to do more to tackle rising cost of living pressures, unimpressed by last week’s move to give free public transport to students living in Perth.

Warren Hately

Famous Court Family CommentsPremiumNeice of former WA premiers eyes off tilt at politics

One of the most famous names in WA and Australian politics could be making a comeback, with the granddaughter of the revered Sir Charles seriously considering following in her family’s footsteps.

Joe Spagnolo

opinion
opinion
Victoria AllenComments
opinion
Tips on how to be the family board games champion

Many of us sitting down to play board games with our families over the holiday period are desperate for any kind of competitive edge. But some crucial advantages have now been revealed — thanks to maths.

Victoria Allen

Kids Fly Free CommentsPremiumNexus offers WA families huge incentive with free kid fares

WA-based Nexus Airlines has offered an early Christmas present to WA families — free flights for children across its WA and Northern Territory routes for the next several months.

Staff reporter

opinion
opinion
Christmas considerationCommentsPremium
opinion
Dreaming of a better Xmas for families riven by conflict

Tis meant to be the season marked by warmth, celebration and family get-togethers. Yet regrettably, family fractures will lead to heartfelt absences this Christmas.

Gary Martin

opinion
opinion
Ignoring it will not helpComments
opinion
Putting mothers in charge has potential to bring peace

Mothers don’t get a day off from worry. Women in Gaza, Israel, and Ukraine — even pregnant healthcare workers — are not spared anxiety by virtue of war, terrorism or quotidian tasks.

Andrew Miller

opinion
opinion
Laura NewellCommentsPremium
opinion
My mother-in-law’s secret to happiness (and a perfect scone)

The first true test of my commitment came when we realised that one of our favourite television shows had returned to a streaming app — just one episode a week at a time. Painful. 

Laura Newell

Laura Newell

opinion
opinion
‘they are all around us’CommentsPremium
opinion
How the cycle of life keeps spirit of dead ancestors alive

Last week, during Andrew Miller’s first-ever visit to his ancestor's homeland, he heard all their silenced voices loud again.

Andrew Miller

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
road tragedyCommentsPremium
The West Australian exclusive
Heartbroken parents make desperate plea to young drivers

Jhett Bosshard was saving for his first home. Days later, his parents were planning his funeral. Now, they hope his death will be a powerful reminder to drivers about the dangers they face on the road. 

Harry Grigson

Super scoutsPremiumFrom Katanning to Korea, father and daughter world scouts

Saemangeum, on the west coast of South Korea, will host the 25th edition where over 900 Australians will join 45,000 eager scouts from across the globe. 

Harry Grigson