Rottnest plane crash, bushfires and battle to win the WA election. Here's January 2025 in photos

In January, Western Australia experienced a series of significant events, from raging bushfires to a fatal plane crash at a Perth island resort, with photos of these events dominating news coverage. While many vacationers were enjoying the sunshine, news broke of a seaplane crashing upon takeoff at the popular tourist destination, Rottnest Island.

Alicia Kennedy, Deputy Chief of Staff at ABC Perth's newsroom, managed to secure a boat and travel to the crash site amidst strong winds. The accident resulted in the deaths of three people: 34-year-old pilot James Wang, a 65-year-old Swiss woman, and a 60-year-old Danish man, while four others survived.

Cottesloe Beach, one of Perth's most iconic beaches, was briefly closed after a 1.5-meter bronze whaler shark swam into a shark net. Authorities worked to free the shark, and a day later, they opened a section of the eco-barrier, eventually releasing it.

In a suburban park in Perth, local live-action role-playing (LARP) enthusiasts, dressed in medieval attire, were living out their fantasies. As the hobby gains popularity, people are experiencing positive outcomes in terms of connecting with others and overcoming social anxiety.

Former Liberal Indigenous Affairs Minister Ken Wyatt publicly opposed Western Australian Liberal leader Libby Mettam's pledge that she would not stand in front of the Aboriginal flag at media events if elected premier. Mettam stated that she "supports a nation united under one flag," echoing a similar pledge made by opposition leader Peter Dutton.

Wyatt pointed out that the former federal government spent $20 million purchasing the rights to the flag and slammed Mettam’s decision as "short-sighted" and "divisive." In Perth's eastern suburbs, the Binar Futures basketball program aims to improve the health, cultural, and educational outcomes for Indigenous children and teenagers. Basketball camps are also held in remote area hubs during school holidays, and two young players can be seen participating in the program.

This month, firefighters were busy responding to multiple simultaneous bushfires across the state. Over one weekend, four homes were destroyed, three of which were near the town of Arthur River, southeast of Perth. Residents assessed the damage in the aftermath of the fires. In Western Australia’s remote Kimberley region, the ABC was granted access to a program that works with perpetrators of domestic and family violence. Project coordinator Floyd Churnside stated that a key goal is to uncover the issues behind men's behavior.

Researcher Paula Borks Alce sat before the camera, sharing her knowledge on women’s health and the humanitarian sector as part of a mock interview. This initiative by Curtin University aims to address the lack of perspectives from culturally and linguistically diverse professionals. In the Mid West town of Morowa, residents, such as Amara Macauley, have been on alert due to fears of pets being targeted by poison-laced baits. This follows an incident where another resident’s cat was shot, and it is believed a dog was poisoned on the same night.

With the Western Australian state election set for March 8th, both parties have been actively campaigning, announcing policies, and facing political pressure in their bids for voter support. Labor politicians, including Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti, were surrounded by news cameras and journalists at a media release. Despite ongoing controversy surrounding Australia Day, 100 people from 37 different countries were welcomed as new citizens at a ceremony in South Perth. Families gathered to watch their loved ones become citizens of the country.

Ice hockey is the fastest-growing sport in the Winter Paralympics, but Australia has never qualified. Nevertheless, loyal players from the Western Australian Garden Island Pirates continue to train at Cockburn Ice Arena. In this sport, players use two double-ended sticks with a pick and blade end, while using sledges on two narrow skates.

Journalists typically file stories under tight deadlines, but sometimes have more time to complete a story. To report on a developer abandoning its application to build wind turbines in the state's southwest, journalist Bridgette McArthur decided to try using 35mm film, capturing the coastline where offshore wind farms could have been installed, as well as silhouettes of surfers floating on the horizon.