The late 1960s and early 1970s saw the people of Western Australia embrace many new ideas, and reject some old ones. Many of those who were teenagers (a new concept in itself) embraced cultural change such as that brought by the opening of the first Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant in Alfred Cove. It was expensive, but at least it meant that movier-goers could take packaged food to the nearby drive-in theatre instead of having to queue. Those a little older and with more money for petrol than them might have retained their loyalty to Bernie’s in Perth, or (especially if north of the river) ventured to the Hungry Jack’s that opened in Innaloo in 1971. Inflation was changing the lives of many at that time: a basket of shopping that cost $25 in 1968 was costing $30 in 1972. A mid-range public servant in 1968 might be earning $3340-$3480 a year, more with a degree, but there was more to spend it on, especially if you were single. The Public Service regulations amended in 1967 had stated that ‘(1) A female officer intending to marry shall notify the Permanent Head in writing not later than six weeks before the proposed date of marriage and shall indicate therein the date of her proposed marriage and whether or not she desires to continue to hold office after her marriage.’ Her Head of Department could choose to allow the latter.  She could shop though: the first Kmart opened in Morley in 1969. From 1970, it was possible to travel to the east by train without having to change trains because of the gauge: the Indian Pacific was born. It was licensed of course, which was good if you were 18 in 1970 when the drinking age was lowered. People still had to be 21 to vote, but they could drink younger. Government Gazettes show many developments of the Liquor Act 1970, and the establishment of the Licensing Court of WA. The Sunday session was born alongside that, and remained the cause of many a Monday headache for years to come. Rod Marsh and Dennis Lillee were household names. Many families and friends played social tennis. A WAFL match could attract 12000 spectators. Public health initiatives from years past were still in place: people aged 25 years and over could still be forced to have chest x-rays to identify tuberculosis, and many regularly did. There were more people to do so as well: immigration continued to bring new faces to the West from the Middle East and Asia, for humanitarian reasons, but to the greater benefit of the culturally rich society we know today. These JPs were there.

1968

Robert Anderson JP

1969
George Atzemis JP
Ralph Griffiths JP

1970

Sol Benn JP
Matthew Comparti JP
Albert Hallam JP
Ernest Hogan JP
Kenneth Holman JP
Michael Mahon JP
Ian McIntosh JP
Kelvin McKenzie JP
John Paterson JP

1971

Geoffrey Pearce JP
Max Wellstead JP

1972
Michael Malloch JP
Leslie Snashall JP