Hester Park - Bird life & black swans!

So we took the dog again today for a run down at the lovely Hester Park, and stopped this time to get some pics of the river! For any kayak enthusiasts, you will know this is a perfect launching spot with some beautiful scenery along the waterways. Even in this hot weather- the water was at good depth and the bird life very active!

In the past we have seen muscovy, mallard and other native ducks and geese. Often there are heron and kookaburras around if you are there at the right time of day. The properties on the eastern side are very lucky and often have the bird life wandering up out of the water on to the grassy banks.

After watching the ducks for a short while, we were spoiled to spot some Black Swans paddling peacefully amongst the other bird life. 

What an absolute treasure.
Forever 6108!

Hester Park

Today I wanted to blog on an often misunderstood area of Thornlie (or perhaps Langford) - that is, our Hester Park!

Cornering Spencer and Nicholson road, just down from the Nicholson Rd Bridge, it is a spacious and open park that consists of two large ovals, a river (yes a river!) and some lovely bushland.

I often walk our dog down here as it is quiet and secluded...which often attracts unsavoury behaviour. But this I believe is just a consequence of the neglect and lack of local governments interest and investment in the park, a view shared by Bill Johnston in early 2013.
Hester Park; A Site of Neglect

When visit here, I am overwhelmed by the beauty and tranquility of the place, despite its excessive litter and dry landscape. The river is just beautiful, and the fresh air and trees are refreshing and aesthetic.

Contrasting with this is the lack of facilities (public toilets for one), the carpark riddled with potholes and just the sense of derelict decay.

As Thornlie folk, we must treasure this area and appreciate its assets. Should it be developed into housing, we would lose a special and historical area that holds so much value to wildlife and dog walkers alike.

I'd like us all to make the time to use and value this asset, for even in its current state, the sun still shines on this beautiful place. 

Forever 6108!

Thornlie Square; no ordinary shopping complex!

Today I'm looking into the history and development of the local shops, Thornlie Square.

Original Signage, 1970s

To us modern day Thornlie folk, its just another place to grab your milk and bread with a few novelty stores. Its an easy place ot grab some take away or pop into the IGA which is open until 11pm. There is a gym and a TAB not far away, a bottle shop, a newsagent, a patisserie and a chemist. Coles and IGA have all the grocery essentials and you can easily get a haircut or do your washing at the laundromat.

Frontage in the late 1990s-Early 2000s

I was very lucky to find some photos from 1972 on the State Library of WA's trove heritage database. The photos are retrieved from a brochure designed to advertise the new mall, which according to the City Of Gosnells 'History Of Suburb Names' document was the first air conditioned mall in the state!  

Back in the early 1970s, it was a new shopping development opened before Garden City. Women were excited about the prospects of fashion and textiles available in the suburbs.

Boutique Flair, 1972

With the Crestwood estate being at the forefront of contemporary resident friendly estate design in the 1970's, the two went hand in hand to give Thornlie a suave feeling of opulence. 

Childrens amusement ride 1970s

While the IGA and Coles have come a long way to modernise the shopping experience, there is still a small bakery, Goreys Butchers, the fruit and vegetable shop as well as asian grocers selling a huge range of imported groceries. This is a huge indication on the changing demographic of Thornlie and the multicultural suburb that it has become.

Grocery store(s) 1970s

There Thornlie Square is still very much a family friendly shopping complex with 'The Nearest Cafe', a skate park nearby and small stalls that pop up in the halls selling novelty items and crafts. Occasionally local artitsts and fundraisers will hold a stall for specified causes and it creates an atmosphere where you stop and browse rather than dash in for the shopping.

Thornlie Square 2010's

When you next pop down to pick up that pizza or a late night grocery run, spare a thought for the 40 year history of the "local shops" - seems they've been "the local" for the generations before us!

Forever 6108!

State Library of WA

http://innopac.slwa.wa.gov.au/record=b2418538#

City of Gosnells
www.gosnells.wa.gov.au/

Young Thornlie Couple buy the "Gidge Gourmet Fudge" business!

Ohhhhh Fudge!

Local Thornlie couple Lucy Owen and Hugh Campbell have purchased "Gidge Gourmet Fudge" and joined the market rounds in Perth and the South West of WA.

I ran into the young couple at the Mundaring Markets this morning as they sampled their fudge to young and old and to my surprise, seemed to be one of the busier stalls.

I'm told they will be keeping the original business name despite the business being based in Perth's southern suburb of Thornlie. Some changes will be made to the flavor offerings and a large emphasis on the traditional fudge making methods.

"Production is definitely the heart and soul of the business. As any fudge chef will tell you, fudge can be tricky and is a labor of love!"

We laugh as Lucy tells me that Hugh, her partner in life and in business, is the critiquing sampler and rarely complains! While we talk, Hugh is busy chatting with customers and offering samples and appears to be very much in his element, welcoming the groups of people that stop by to taste and purchase.

Lucy tells me, "I'm really excited to play with flavour combinations. Culinary Lavender is on my 'to try' list of ingredients."

Salted caramel, Maple and Walnut and Rum & Raisin are also mentioned as well as some truffle infusions specially made for the Manjimup 'Truffle Kerfuffle' that they will be participating in later in June 2013.

 I tried the Vanilla Bean and Double Choc and I was so surprised by the soft and smooth texture.

The standout for me though was the "traditional" fudge (or Ugly Fudge as I've come to think of it!)
Yes - those are teeth marks in my block of traditional! There is something gorgeous and simple about the caramelised buttery flavour. It is crumbly and sweet and reminds me of fudge I ate when I was a child.

The Lemon flavour tastes almost like a Sorbet and Lucy tells me they pick up their lemons from "whomever has a tree with some going!"

There is something warm and welcoming about the couple and their stall. Whether its the polka dots and bunting, the generous samples or the warmth that radiates from the owners.... it's hard to say.

Perhaps I'm just romanced by the sweet fudgey flavours! :)

Its great to see a young Thornlie couple bringing a smile to the faces of so many. Seems the 'good old fashioned way' of making fudge is still alive and well! 

Forever 6108!

Online @
www.gidgegourmetfudge.com.au/

On Facebook @
www.facebook.com/GidgeGourmetFudge?fref=ts

Truffle Kerfuffle
www.trufflekerfuffle.com.au/