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- Striking new photobook pulls back curtain on Kalgoorlie’s skimpy barmaids
Striking new photobook pulls back curtain on Kalgoorlie’s skimpy barmaids
Plus one of down south’s best degustations just launched a round trip bus service.
Lil’ NSFW warning on one of our articles today, which we’ve placed towards the bottom in case you do open this at work! We had a chat with photographer M. Ellen Burns, who’s spent the past few years documenting the women who work behind the bar at some of Kalgoorlie’s iconic/infamous skimpy hotels. The result is her new book, Skimpies, which explores the intersection of performance, survival, and identity, all against the backdrop of one of Australia’s most geographically isolated communities.
As a publication that loves the character, characters, and cold beers found in WA’s country pubs, it was fascinating to get some insight into what many people consider a relic of the past, albeit one that’s still very much happening: “By letting the women tell their own stories, we get to see them as individuals, not just performers,” Burns told us. “That’s especially important for people who might otherwise dismiss or feel uncomfortable engaging with this world.”
We hope you enjoy the read below, along with a new bar from one of our fave southwest wineries, some cute zoo news, and a few more school holidays ideas.
Troy Mutton, Editor-In-Chief, Perth is OK!
EAT & DRINK
Coming from the team behind Skigh Wines and opening last weekend, the spacious venue on Cowaramup’s main strip is keeping things pretty simple, with a view to ensuring wine is still front and centre, with a bit of Sunday boogieing on the side.
THE LATEST FROM PERTH IS OK!
 | NEWSWe’re here to bring you the hard-hitting, must-know news in Perth… Like the very important revelation that Perth Zoo has just welcomed a new, bouncing baby Bolivian squirrel monkey! |
 | SPONSOREDThe Perth Comedy Festival is back for 2025, bringing with it a much-needed break from the real world with a month of belly-aching laughter and an all-star lineup of comedians from around the world. |
 | EXPLORESince the establishment of Nature Play WA in 2009, nature playgrounds have sprung up all over Perth and Western Australia, giving WA kids amazing opportunities to get muddy, scrape knees and navigate risk. |
 | EAT & DRINKRustico @ Hay Shed Hell’s degustation lunches have become an essential for any food lover’s foray to the region, and that experience just got a little easier with the launch of their new bus service. |
TODAY/TONIGHTThere’s plenty of great steak nights going around at the moment, but The Leadlight’s Tuesday special is up there with the best. That said, maybe we’re just a sucker for a curly fry! We’ll see you there to find out… |
LIFESTYLE
In the heart of the WA Goldfields, where red dirt roads meet neon-lit pubs and mining is still king, photographer M. Ellen Burns has spent the past few years quietly observing and documenting one of the state’s most iconic and misunderstood subcultures…
 | CCAPTUREDDTikTok of the weekOakley Dam in Marrinup - a fun little hike and swimming hole. You can stop by Pinjarra on the way through for an epic pub meal, or perch up at the picnic tables for lunch. Hot tip: Be wary of leeches! |