What has inspired you about Perth since you landed here?
So much! Let me count the ways.
I love the seasons. After decades of living in the Wet and Dry of the Top End, I’m embracing Perth’s seasons from cool winter mornings to warm summer days. I love the season we’re in, and the variety means also having something to look forward to.
Perth is the Family-Friendly Capital of Australia. The range of activities for our young (and wild) boys is incredible. Living in the Hills, we’re spoiled with space, national parks on our doorstep, amazing playgrounds and beaches, and short drives to family-friendly pubs, wineries, breweries, and restaurants.
Public transport here is a dream - easy, cheap, and reliable. Whether it’s commuting to work or taking the boys on adventures to the CBD, Perth’s trains and CAT buses make getting around effortless.
And the beaches! We haven’t picked a favourite yet, but the sheer number of options means every beach is accessible. There’s always parking, plenty of space to set up, and room to enjoy the water.
Lastly, there’s no bad place to live. Whether you’re on the beach, by the river, in the Hills, or the Valley, every suburb feels like it’s just one step away from something amazing.
Perth is Australia’s best kept secret. Too many Aussies don’t know how good it is.
What do you enjoy most about living and working in Perth?
Going home to the Hills every night feels like a holiday. Darlington has the most amazing local community, and we’ve felt at home from day one. The quality and diversity of local things we can do with our young boys makes every weekend a joy.
Where have been your favourite spots to explore in Perth so far?
We’re big fans of John Forrest National Park and love exploring along the Munda Biddi Trail (and stopping for a cheeky beer at one of the many pubs)
What does a typical Saturday look like for you, and how do you usually spend your weekends?
Our weekends are all about the outdoors and entertaining Hudson (5) and Nash (3) who have the boundless energy of young puppies. We start by collecting eggs from our chickens and cooking breakfast—scrambled eggs, soldiers, or pancakes. Then it’s off for a mountain bike ride along the Munda Biddi Trail or a drive to Kalamunda for more biking. We might splash in one of the many flowing creeks this time of year or visit one of Perth’s epic playgrounds.
For lunch we pack a picnic or a raid a bakery, and for dinner, we head to family-friendly pubs like the Parky, Mounties, or the Mundaring.
Where did your love for Banh Mi begin, and where can we find the most authentic one in Perth?
The Banh Mi is the GOAT of sandwiches - spice, sweetness, crunch, and depth of flavour. My love affair with Banh Mi started when on a mentally challenging day my wife took me to a local Vietnamese bakery for a quiet lunch. We both had Banh Mis, and I fell in love with the sandwich and the moment.
Perth is spoiled for great Banh Mi. Some of my favourites are at Let’s Eat in West Perth, Bun Banh Mi at 160 Central, and Le Vietnam on Barrack Street. My New Year’s resolution is to try 12 different spots this year - I’m always on the hunt.
In your view, what do Darwin and Perth share in common, and where do they differ? What could we learn?
Darwin locals naturally understand that we’re part of Asia - our people, geography, and climate make us one with the region. Perth, on the other hand, is often seen as the most isolated capital in the world, which fosters a strong sense of independence and can-do spirit. This has helped WA become Australia’s strongest-performing jurisdiction.
But Perth can be more. With its time zone and proximity to Asia - Bali is our backyard - Perth has the potential to be the Indo-Pacific’s capital. Embracing this identity, chasing this aspiration will unlock even greater opportunities.
From your perspective, what are Perth’s biggest opportunities in becoming an energy superpower?
WA controls its energy destiny, which is a globally rare position. Unlike other states, WA isn’t on the National Electricity Market (NEM). It owns its generation and transmission and has a domestic gas reservation policy. This allows WA to plan a proper energy transition—ensuring reliable, affordable, and clean energy for both domestic and industrial users.
Domestic policy stability also gives the resource sector confidence to plan for reliable energy access, using gas as a backbone while leveraging wind and solar to decarbonise.
What would you love to see Perth become by 2050?
I’d love to see Perth as the undisputed Capital of the Indo-Pacific. This means expanding beyond our traditional mining and energy sectors into knowledge-intensive industries. We’ll be home to a dynamic CBD that drives our economy and exports professional services, a world-class medical sector that cares well for locals and attracts international patients, a leading tertiary sector for research and talent development, a diverse advanced manufacturing industry, secure data connections driving a resilient data industry, a strong, strategic defence presence, and a thriving local arts scene that lights up the world that with our world class sports teams makes us the regional destination of choice to live and visit. This is the natural destination if we have bipartisan support across successive WA Governments for Made in WA.
As a new arrival, what do you think is most misunderstood about Perth from outside?
Before moving, I was told Perth had three cons: high cost of living, reliance on cars, and its isolation. Coming from Darwin, none of these felt like cons, and now that I’m here, I don’t see how they apply to anyone in Australia.
Sydney isn’t cheap. Melbourne isn’t closer to Europe or Bali. And Brisbane residents still rely on cars. Perth’s “isolation” has created a powerful mythos, but it also leads to misunderstandings about the crucial geopolitical and economic role Perth can and should play.