The streets of Perth were awash with green, white and gold yesterday, as thousands of sun drenched spectators came out to witness the city’s St Patrick’s Day parade.

In scorching 32 degree heat, star power came in the form of Irish humanitarian and legendary rocker Bob Geldof, who took time out from promoting the Boomtown Rats’ upcoming world tour to mingle with the locals at the Irish Club of WA and kickstart the highly anticipated parade.

“It’s incredible to think that right now around the world there’s 170 million people doing exactly what we’re doing here right now,” he said.

Geldof, who was appropriately decked out in a traditional green suit, spoke to the crowd about Ireland’s economic problems.

“I’ve been coming to Perth since 1978, I’ve got great friends here, I’ve seen the Irish community grow and grow over the years,” Geldof said.

“I’ve seen them gather together and take care of each other and in these hard times back in Ireland it’s fantastic to see these Irish groups taking care of their own people and the children who’ve had to leave once again and come here and find another home here.”

“So today go and celebrate who you are and what you are and celebrate the fact that you ended up in such a magnificent city, in such a beautiful country. You are indeed very lucky.”

Speaking after the parade at the Irish Club, Geldof who spent his time sipping on a pint of Guinness said: “There were thousands of people; it was an absolutely brilliant atmosphere.”

Pipe bands, Irish dancers and a strong representation of Gaelic football teams kept the crowd cheering all the way through the streets of Leederville, which were lined with flag-waving kids and adults alike.

Dozens of decorative floats made there way around the parade route, ending at the Leederville Oval, where families enjoyed the day with their fellow countrymen and even got the chance to taste some proper Irish cuisine.

One patriotic parade-goer expressed her delight at the morning’s proceedings.

“As you can see around you there’s a sea of green we should do this all the time, every year,” said Ballincollig spectator Evelyn O’Brien.

Another Dublin family who have been in Perth for 13 years, believe that a move from the parade’s former location of Fremantle to the city is long overdue.

“We’re really looking forward to it, especially with our little man because it’s his first Paddy’s Day parade,” said Lisa Kelly.

After months of preparation, organisers and volunteers could breathe a sigh of relief after the day went off without a hitch.

Karen Hennessy, of St Patrick’s Day WA, thanked all the volunteers and sponsors, who made the day possible.

“We’ve been at it for nearly a year now and the parade committee have just been fantastic,” she said.

“We’ve come up against a few stumbling blocks but City Events and iinet, the major sponsors have just really given us their support with finances but not only that have really backed the parade,” she added.

BOB Geldof is set to kick-start the proceedings at the St Patrick’s Day parade in Perth on Sunday.

The Irish rocker and philanthropist will take his place in the parade aboard a big red VIP bus, which will make its way around Leederville Oval.

Geldof is in Perth to promote the Boomtown Rats impending tour this May.

Brisbane will be their first stop on May 20, finishing in Perth’s Challenge Stadium on May 28.

They will be the Rats’ first Australian dates together in almost 30 years.

The St. Patrick’s Day committee in Perth, who have been working tirelessly on the approaching parade for the past year, expressed their delight at the news.

“I can’t believe it, we’re so excited. We’re trying to contain ourselves at the moment and really I think we’re all just in shock that he can come and celebrate St Patrick’s Day with us.” said event organiser Karen Hennessy.

“He really just wants to be involved in the community event and be involved with the Irish over here on St Patrick’s Day,” she said.

The Dubliner will also spend some of his day at the Irish Club in Subiaco, where he will meet with Irish emigrants, both old and young.

“We all just want to back each other in the community and this is what he’s doing. He’s turning up and he’s going to the Irish club and supporting them and it’s fantastic because so many artists come here and he’s really touching the community.” Ms Hennessy said.

Sunday’s parade in Leederville is all about promoting a positive image for the Irish community in Perth and will feature an assortment of spectacular green displays. Along with 42 exciting floats, people can expect an array of marching bands and entertainers.

Amateur competitors from GAA, rugby, AFL and other codes will line up for the White Collar Boxing
Charity Fight Night at the Italian Club in Northbridge next Friday.

Preparations for the St Patrick’s Day Parade in Perth are pumped up with 24 novice pugilists preparing to enter a boxing ring to raise funds for the event.

The White Collar Boxing Charity Fight Night will be at the Italian Club in Northbridge on March 1.

Organisers are promising a “glitz and glam” event, with all funds raised to be split between local Irish welfare group, The Claddagh Association, and the St Patrick’s Parade and Family Funday.

Under a “battle of the sports” theme, amateur competitors from GAA, rugby, AFL and other codes have been training hard twice a week.

The boxers are all novices, with a policeman and Australian Defence Force recruit among them.

Organisers have arranged a full-size Boxing WA ring, professional referee, card girls and all the lights and sounds that are expected of a professional fight night.

A professional team of trainers will pair fighters to ensure competitive and fair fights. A certified referee will be in the ring to ensure the participants are safe.

While it’s all for a bit of fun and fundraising, organiser Gillian Forde says all safety measure have been strictly followed.

“It will consist of 12 rounds of fighting with 24 boxers participating. At the moment they are all training in the gym we have partnered with, Ringside Boxing and Fitness,” she said.

The fight night at the 1,000-person capacity Italian Club is fully sanctioned by the Combat Sports Commission
in WA.

“We have to have our trainers, promoters and ourselves registered. We’re using their officials, their referees and their judges.

“There is medical screening before the event and ringside doctors – everything they [The Combat Sports Commission] need, we’ve put it in.”

General admission standing tickets are $40, with seated tickets at $60. Meanwhile, VIP table seating has been priced at $100.

Doors open at 6.30pm and the first fight starts at 7pm.

For more information, visit www.stpatricksdaywa.com.

Paul O'Connor, Gillian Forde, Vincent Mayor Alannah MacTiernan and Karen Hennessy at the launch of the St Patrick's Day parade in Perth. (Pic: Supplied)

Plans for a St Patrick’s Day Festival in Perth have been approved, and organisers have confirmed the Irish holiday will be celebrated in the City of Vincent next year.

The event was launched in Perth’s Celtic Club by the Mayor of Vincent, Alannah MacTiernan, last month.

“Vincent is attracting so many of the young Irish that are flooding into Australia and giving us the benefit of their skills and vitality,” said Mayor MacTiernan at the launch night.

“We are very happy that Irish families in Perth have chosen Leederville as the location of the St Patrick’s Day parade. We want everyone, green, orange and any other colour, to be involved, because on St Paddy’s Day, everybody is Irish.”

The festival will be held in Leederville on Sunday, March 17. The parade will start on Richmond Road, turning into Oxford Street, looping on Newcastle Street, before turning up Vincent Street and ending at the Leederville Oval.

Organisers say there will be plenty of entertainment, with Irish dancers, singers, musicians and sports, as well as stalls showcasing a range of local and Irish goods.

News of the festival has been welcomed by founding member of Irish Families in Perth, Karen Hennessy, from Malahide, Co Dublin.

She says there has been a huge void in the Irish community since the last St Patrick’s Day parade was held in Fremantle in 2009.

“As a committee, we’re delighted and really excited,” she told the Irish Echo.

“It’s just setting the wheels in motion now. Our main thing is to get financial support and backing, and to get the support of the community.”

To get involved or to  sponsor the festival, visit www.stpatricksdaywa.com.