Heavenly Beverley : Magic Does Happen in Midland.

Midland is a microcosm of change over a lengthy period of time. The area had been occupied from the early 1830s, though no real development occurred until the establishment of the Midland Railway Company in 1886. The township of Midland Junction was proclaimed in 1891, briefly changed its name to Helena Vale, before reverting to its original name in 1901.

With the establishment of the Midland Railway Workshops, the Army's ordnance store and the State Abattoirs, Midland Junction became a workers' town. During the Second World War, part of the Railway Workshops were seconded for both repairs and production.

After 1961, the "Junction" part of the name was dropped and the acquisition of the Midland Railway Company by the Western Australian Government Railways led to changes. A bus and train transit centre was constructed, along with the new Centrepoint Shopping Centre. Midland was further urbanised with a new police station, a new courthouse, Midland Gate Shopping Precinct and considerable recreation venues during the 1980s.

The Midland Railway Workshops closed in 1994 with a considerable impact on the entire community. Eventually, the Midland Redevelopment Authority was launched in 2000 and since then, Midland has had an explosion of new housing. This would be partly due to the excellent transport services, its proximity to the airport and the relative ease of travel to the city and elsewhere.

Midland has endured being given a bad rap at times. Michael remembers the area very well as both a Perth Hills boy and as an apprentice at the Railway Workshops. Over fifty years, he had been witness to major change and upheaval. The Midland railway station was relocated further west many years ago. Now with the new hospital needing to be serviced by public transport, another railway station is needed - in the same spot as the previously moved one. A lack of forward planning?

The drive-in is long gone. The streets are changing. There has been major beautification works undertaken, but there are still original workers' cottages to be found, some of them in a state of disrepair. Somehow, they can still appear more attractive than the endless repetitive blocks of medium density townhouses and units.

Midland is also a multicultural and socio-economic patchwork. People from all over the globe rub shoulders. There are lovely open spaces and public artwork. There is a sense of comfortable affluence about Midland. Yet, thrown into the mix are also the poor, the disadvantaged and the homeless. Which in some ways is a more realistic vision of a community than other parts of Perth.

I like Midland. We live about a hundred kilometres from its centre. I can shop in the large familiar supermarket, buy both practical and attractive home wares, manchester and clothes, plunge into the giant hardware conglomerate that is Bunnings and most importantly, visit the hairdressers.

I have been attending Salon Express for sometime. Salon Express Midland is a tiny piece of Ireland on the other side of the world. There are numerous Irish accents floating around and one day, I fully expect to be greeted by a leprechaun.

My first Irish hair cutter there Gronia, sadly moved elsewhere. Her younger sister Tara enthusiastically took over my complicated head of hair. Then I met Sharon - also from Ireland. I was instantly smitten. Sharon is, I think, in her early forties, and currently sticks her hair in a bun. She is considering a more radical style at present. And she cuts beautifully. She understands me and she understands my hair. I actually feel pretty when she is finished with me. That does not occur very often.

Sue, manager on reception, is cheerful, attentive and efficient. Tuesday, when I attended, started with a cup of tea provided by Sue and hair colour and cut by Sharon. Washing and rinsing and massaging my scalp was performed by another Irish lass. I was in heaven.

After nearly three hours, I emerged back into the outside world, feeling like a million dollars. My last task for that day was sourcing frames for a number of prints, including one particularly special poster for Michael's birthday.

Ruby, at Midland Gate Pharmacy, runs the photography section. She was incredibly helpful in her assistance. Four frames were fitted with pictures and a custom frame was ordered for the Birthday Boy's present. I could not have asked for better service.

So, Midland remains close to my heart. This eastern suburb can be gritty, no nonsense, raw and at the same time surprisingly fashionable and hip.

Midland has something for everyone.