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At Murdoch University, our Journalism program is a dynamic and forward-thinking course designed to equip students with the skills needed to thrive in the digital era of news. This industry- focused program seamlessly integrates theoretical knowledge with practical expertise, preparing students for diverse roles within professional news organisations. Throughout the degree, journalism students engage in hands-on experiences, working on real-world projects both within our on-campus student creative consultancy, MESH. In our Journalism course, students delve into comprehensive learning modules that cover the entire spectrum of modern journalism, including gathering information and producing editorial content in various formats such as text, audio, video, and multimedia. Some of our students have had the chance to intern at the ABC, the West, Channel Seven, The Fremantle Herald, and others in Perth. Our curriculum is not just about skill development; it also emphasises the critical examination of the ethical, legal, and cultural contexts of the media. Journalism students engage in in-depth analyses of the profound influence that journalism has on society, navigating the rapidly changing landscape of news delivery in the contemporary world.
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End of an era: 122-year-old Fremantle hotel forced into closure
By Ben Baumann | The Quenda | November 11, 2025, 7:51 am
End of an era: 122-year-old Fremantle hotel forced into closure:
https://quendanews.murdoch.edu.au/end-of-an-era-122-year-old-fremantle-hotel-forced-into-closure
For the first time since 1903, Bar Orient will call last drinks for good, joining a wave of hospitality closures across Fremantle.
The popular High Street venue in Fremantle’s west end has had its lease terminated by building owners Tattarang – an investment group owned by Andrew and Nicola Forrest – to make way for a new Japanese restaurant.
Bar Orient leasee Tony Taylor said it was “heartbreaking” as the venue draws closer to marking “the end of an era.”
“We’ve lost the Fremantle Hotel, we’ve lost the P&O, we’ve recently lost the Navy Club, we lost the Workers club… this is really the last sort of old school venue left in the West end of Fremantle,” Mr Taylor said.
Mr Taylor said a rent price hike was behind his lease renewal being refjected rejected by Tattarang.
For the first time since 1903, Bar Orient will call last drinks for good, joining a wave of hospitality closures across Fremantle.
The popular High Street venue in Fremantle’s west end has had its lease terminated by building owners Tattarang – an investment group owned by Andrew and Nicola Forrest – to make way for a new Japanese restaurant.
Bar Orient leasee Tony Taylor said it was “heartbreaking” as the venue draws closer to marking “the end of an era.”
“We’ve lost the Fremantle Hotel, we’ve lost the P&O, we’ve recently lost the Navy Club, we lost the Workers club… this is really the last sort of old school venue left in the West end of Fremantle,” Mr Taylor said.
Mr Taylor said a rent price hike was behind his lease renewal being refjected rejected by Tattarang.
“(The rent) was about a $75,000 a year, and now it’s like $330,000 a year …(Tattarang) didn’t see a return on investment,” Mr Taylor said.
For 122 years, Bar Orient has remained a constant in Fremantle’s west end, becoming a popular hub for live music and fostering a tight knit community throughout the 70’s and 80’s, attracting high-profile guests – most notably the late Prince Phillip in 1984.
Fremantle historian and author Allen Graham called the closure ‘profoundly disappointing’ as Bar Orient was “incredibly influential for the Fremantle community.”
While Tattarang did not respond to questions about the closure, Mr Graham posed concerns with the plans to develop the heritage-listed building, which he claimed were potentially destructive to the building’s image if not done correctly
“I hope it is worthy of the street,” he said.
Fremantle Council did not respond to questions on the issue.
Bar Orient’s closure represents wider issues in hospitality industry nationwide.
The Leopold Hotel, in Bicton in Perth’s south, is a 116-year-old pub that once was the home of rock legend Bon Scott and inspired
AC/DC’s ‘Highway to Hell’, has also just announced it will close permanently to make way for new apartments.
However, it’s not just historic venues that are struggling.
Back in March, the ABC reported that one in 11 hospitality businesses in Australia had closed in the last 12 months.
A report by CreditorWatch found that the main stresses for hospitality included the rising cost of living reducing consumer spending, increasing prices for goods and services, and rent price hikes, making it harder for Australian businesses to see a return on investment.
Bar Orient will continue to trade until it’s final event on New Year’s Eve.
Perth para dancers roll into world championships
By Abby Green | The Quenda | May 14, 2025, 6:45 am
Perth para dancers roll into world championships:
https://quendanews.murdoch.edu.au/rolling-to-the-rhythm-perth-para-dancers-set-sights-on-world-championships/
It’s ballroom dancing with a twist, wheelchair users are taking to the international stage as part of the world para dance championships.
Just like traditional ballroom dancing, para dancers don glittery gowns and partner up for moves like the foxtrot and waltz.
But unlike traditional ballroom dancing, participation is open to people of all abilities and in November a Perth team is headed to compete in Slovakia.
Para and Ability Dance WA (PADWA) chairman Daryl Davenport said that four Perth dancers competed in Hong Kong in March, to qualify for the world competition.
“This is a major event for us and one of our couples finished fourth in Hong Kong and they have a very strong chance to make the finals in the world championships,” Mr Davenport said.
Alongside ballroom, para dance has a freestyle component that allows participants to show off their wheelchair skills.
“Some of the guys can do handstands and flips…very outrageous and spectacular moves,” Mr Davenport said.
Funded by Telethon, para dancing has also expanded into Perth classrooms. “We have seven education support schools in that program,” Mr Davenport said.
It’s ballroom dancing with a twist, wheelchair users are taking to the international stage as part of the world para dance championships.
Just like traditional ballroom dancing, para dancers don glittery gowns and partner up for moves like the foxtrot and waltz.
But unlike traditional ballroom dancing, participation is open to people of all abilities and in November a Perth team is headed to compete in Slovakia.
Para and Ability Dance WA (PADWA) chairman Daryl Davenport said that four Perth dancers competed in Hong Kong in March, to qualify for the world competition.
“This is a major event for us and one of our couples finished fourth in Hong Kong and they have a very strong chance to make the finals in the world championships,” Mr Davenport said.
Alongside ballroom, para dance has a freestyle component that allows participants to show off their wheelchair skills.
“Some of the guys can do handstands and flips…very outrageous and spectacular moves,” Mr Davenport said.
Funded by Telethon, para dancing has also expanded into Perth classrooms. “We have seven education support schools in that program,” Mr Davenport said.
Schools including Armadale Education Support Centre, Carson Street School, Burbridge school, West Coast Senior high school, John Tonkin high school, Gladys newton and Cannington Community College are now taking lessons in para dancing.
Perth para dancer Heidi Prindiville has been dancing since April 2023 and is one of the qualifiers for the world championships.
Mrs Prindiville said para dancing has helped her physically to be able to use different parts of her body and build up her muscles.
“It’s a great community and we all support each other no matter what our disabilities are.”
Mrs Prindiville encourages anyone who is thinking about getting involved to just give it a go.
“You’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain.”
There are dozens of people involved in competition para dances. The next Perth para dance sport competition is set for June 1 at Herb Graham Recreation Centre in Mirrabooka with 28 competitors.
Scientists develop bacteria to fight microplastic pollution
By Jack Findlater | The Quenda | June 3, 2025, 5:40 am
Scientists develop bacteria to fight microplastic pollution:
https://quendanews.murdoch.edu.au/scientists-develop-bacteria-to-fight-microplastic-pollution/
A new safe plastic that is biodegradable in soil, land and water is being developed by Murdoch University in the fight to curb microplastic pollution.
MU Bioplastics Innovation Hub scientist and lead Joseph Boctor said his team is “reprogramming and re-teaching” bacteria to replace synthetic plastics.
“We are getting certain bacteria to produce certain types of polymers that resemble the characteristics of synthetic plastics and…unlike synthetic plastics, they don’t harm the environment and they don’t stay for long,” Mr Boctor said.
Mr Boctor said the goal of developing this natural plastic in the lab is to combat two issues with microplastics: chemical additives and pathway blockages.
Mr Boctor said chemical additives can disrupt endocrine functions and impact sexual health.
While plastics are generally considered “inert”, microplastics can accumulate in tissues causing inflammation and health issues.
“Research has found a lot of patients with arterial plaques that have microplastics in these plaques and they have bad prognosis and higher mortality chances,” he said.
“This (microplastics blocking pathways) also applies to plants”.
It can have an impact on crop yields as it prevents plants from taking up nutrients from the soil, he said.
One of the things that introduces microplastics to the soil is organic fertilisers.
We think of organic fertilisers as eco-friendly, however, some fertilisers are introducing microplastics to the soil, he said.
By solving a problem, we are introducing another, Mr Boctor said.
He said that while the future impact of microplastics is worrying with effective communication, the issue can be fought.
“By being more aware, we can shape the narrative,” Mr Boctor said.
The scientist used the example of lead fuel. Once the problem was realised the lead was removed from everyday use.
“The shift in the narrative happened when the public became aware of the issue,” he said.
By being more aware, we can all take steps to minimise the global risk.
Space-age fruit and vegetables take root at garden show
By Tegwen Bescoby | The Quenda | April 30, 2025, 8:24 am
Space-age fruit and vegetables take root at garden show:
https://quendanews.murdoch.edu.au/end-of-an-era-122-year-old-fremantle-hotel-forced-into-closure
At first glance, the plants look like any other supermarket fodder, but these fruit and vegetables have a hidden secret – they’re space food.
Now, Perth will be given a chance to view the fruit and vegetables that have been genetically modified to survive beyond Earth and feed astronauts.
Researchers say, this is the future of plants.
Plants for Space spokeswoman Dr Lieke Van Der Hulst says her team have developed fruit and vegetables that can live longer, contain zero waste and are engineered to be more nutritious than store-bought.
“(It is) food that will grow well in space and can feed astronauts long-term, as well as can provide other items such as fibre for clothing and building materials,” Dr Van Der Hulst says.
Expert say space lacks the nutrients needed for the human body.
By re-engineering plant genetics, researchers have been able to increase carbohydrates, refine proteins and maximise fat content to ensure astronauts have all their nutritional needs met.
“[Plants for Space is also] looking at using plants as little biological factories to produce things such as medication,” Dr Van Der Hulst says.
“Plants are already capable of producing medication, plant-based insulin, painkillers, a range of minerals and vitamins, but we really want to direct them to do this in a more directed and effective manner.”
Nursery and Garden Industry WA executive officer Lisa Passmore says she hopes Plants for Space’s inclusion in the show would further pique public interest in gardening.
“[Plants for Space] fit into the show beautifully with the sustainability angle in that it promotes zero waste, creative ways of growing plants, and using minimal resources,” Ms Passmore says.
“It really broadens the scope of appeal for the [Perth Garden] show, when we’re talking not only about weird and unusual-looking plants but also innovative, futuristic applications for plants found in the vegetable patch or supermarket.”
It is hoped that discoveries made by Plants for Space will also help on Earth in environments impacted by climate change.
“Plants for Space is trying to grow plants in a very inhospitable environment, meaning that if we can figure out how to efficiently and sustainably do this, we could do it pretty much anywhere,” Dr Van Der Hulst says.
“Our research is giving support to understanding sustainable agriculture and what crops can best be used to continuously feed our still growing populations – even in remote and rural communities.”
Attendees can talk with Plants for Space researchers and engage with interactive exhibits and take-home science projects educating the public on space agriculture.
“If you haven’t been in a few years, it’s definitely worth coming back and seeing what’s changed,” Lisa Passmore says.
The Perth Garden Show runs from Friday 2 May to Sunday 4 May at McCallum Park in Perth.
Researchers uncover the chemical secrets of glow in the dark mammals
By Jack Findlater | The Quenda | May 7, 2025, 3:09 am
Researchers uncover the chemical secrets of glow in the dark mammals:
https://quendanews.murdoch.edu.au/researchers-uncover-the-chemical-secrets-of-glow-in-the-dark-mammals/
Things that glow in the dark may usually be associated with Halloween, but now scientists are uncovering the chemical make-up of Australian mammal fur to work out what makes it light up under ultraviolet light.
While researchers have long-known that feathers, shells and even human hair are luminescent, the exact chemistry behind the glow was somewhat of a mystery.
Zoologists at James Cook University (JCU) used mass spectrometry to identify the compounds responsible for the photoluminescence, particularly the colour pink, in seven Australian mammals from far-north Queensland.
JCU zoologist Linda Reinhold said the team found the amino acid “tryptophan” found in bandicoots, quolls and possums was causing a bright pink glow.
“We wanted to find out whether the luminophores present in bandicoots might be common across multiple species,” Ms Reinhold said.
The study found both shared and unique luminophores and some yet to be identified. The team say in a paper published this week in the peer-reviewed journal PlosOne, that the glow of mammal fur may be far more chemically diverse than previously thought.
Rats, bandicoots, possums, bats, tree-kangaroos and many other creatures glow violet or blue under UV light, with Murdoch’s iconic Quenda glowing a “bright pink” under UV light.
Ms Reinhold said porphyrins – one of the chemicals which causes fur to glow – is the precursor to hemoglobin or red blood cells.
Ms Reinhold said the tube-nosed fruit bat is probably the best candidate for future research.
Out of the closet and on to the dance floor
Perth’s emerging queer nightlife scene
Words by Maddie Toth, photos by Ven Tithing.
Past the budget chemist and the rundown kebab shop, through to the dingy alleyway.
Down the dimly lit stairs of a nondescript building, only neon signs lead the way.
The subtle murmur of rock music becomes ear-splitting bass, vibrating through the floors and walls.
The air hangs heavy with the smell of cigarettes and spilled beer.
Fingernails polished in black, eyeliner applied thick, piercings glinting in the low light.
It is here where sweaty bodies swing and sway.
It is here where these bodies are unapologetically themselves.
This is queer joy.
Perth is known for having only a few gay-friendly bars as a safe haven for queer people to have a fun night out, but Sapphic Disco founder Cleo Schurrer said nightclubbing as a queer person was not exactly what it was cracked up to be.
She said she found even the most welcoming nightclubs often attracted patrons who could make the atmosphere uncomfortable.
“I would go to a gay bar and it would still be teeming with straight men,” she said.
“As a feminine-presenting person, I would get harassed, bothered, and, more than once, assaulted.
“I’ve come here because I’m gay, I’ve come here because I want to be around gay people, and instead I am here getting harassed and assaulted by straight men.”
She knew something needed to change.
Escaping Crime
The safety concerns driving South Africans to Australia
By Zane Holmes
South Africa, 2000 – 5pm on a crisp autumn afternoon, Angela Rowe arrives home.
After a long hospitality shift, she drags herself out of the car when she spots a stranger walking on the other side of the street.
Not thinking much about it, she makes her way towards her security gate.
That’s when the stranger pulls out a long, jagged knife from under his coat and threatens to kill her.
Angela instantly freezes.
In an emotional whirlwind, Angela gives all her possessions to the man who seemingly vanishes as quickly as he appeared.
Fearing for her life, she hauls herself over her metal spiked security gate, creating gashes in her hands, which she can still vividly picture to this day.
But what felt like an isolated incident at the time would only be the beginning of Angela’s encounters with crime in a deteriorating South Africa.
Paws for Concern
Australia’s fragile veterinary industry threatened by cost-of-living pressures
By Zane Holmes
In the sweltering January heat, two discarded kittens lie parched in a cardboard box, their tiny bodies yearning for relief.
At three weeks old and abandoned by their mother, Pirate and Captain are on the brink of death, suffering from ringworms, cat flu, and ulcers in their mouths and eyes.
All hope seems lost until a ranger discovers the two distressed kittens and rushes them to an emergency vet nearby.
Unsure if they will survive, nurses give the brothers critical care for the first few days, teaching them to eat and drink again.
The kittens eventually regain some strength and are partnered with a foster carer.
The carer spends a challenging six months administering medication, attending veterinary appointments, and giving them countless baths to help them get back on their paws.
Despite both kittens suffering from slight vision impairments, Pirate and Captain make a full recovery and are put up for adoption.
Perth charity 9 Lives Cat Rescue covers the entire rehabilitation process, saving the kittens’ lives.
