It was a year filled with triumphs and tragedies in the northern suburbs.
We brought you the stories of local heroes on the world stage, took you on the campaign trail during the Federal election and revealed everything you need to know about the multi-million developments coming to your suburbs.
Here we take a look back at what made the news across the northern suburbs this year.
January
In a tragic start to the year, 47-year-old Landsdale man Ralph Matthews-Cox was shot dead on the doorstep of Lansdale home in what Police later confirmed to be a case of mistaken identity, in what was suspected to be a botched underworld shooting.
Tributes were flowing for long-serving City of Joondalup Mayor Troy Pickard who died suddenly at the age of 48. Mr Pickard was remembered for steering Perth’s burgeoning second city for a record near-12 years.
February
In a victory for people power, controversial plans for a $300 million beachfront development in Scarborough, including a record 43-storey skyscraper, were scrapped. Chinese developer 3 Oceans vowed to go back to the drawing board for a fourth time.
Joondalup Mayor Albert Jacob renewed hopes for an artificial reef after surfers lost three popular breaks to the Ocean Reef Marina redevelopment. It came after Ocean Reef Artificial Reef Group supporters staged a paddle out.
March
Girrawheen mother Olga Vaks was reunited with her parents Anatoliii and Iryna Vaks after fleeing from war-torn Ukraine. The new mother worked day and night to help her parents escape the port city of Odesa in the country’s south as bombs rained down on her home country.
Violence hot spot Scarborough was in the limelight again after three women were punched in the face by a female attacker during a long-weekend attempted robbery.
April
Marmion naturopath Rodrigo Bascunan Cabrera who was accused of sexually assaulting seven female clients after giving them “bogus” diagnoses was found guilty of most of the charges after he was trialled for a second time.
The excitement was electric when supercars returned to the Wanneroo Raceway tarmac after a three year hiatus. But a frightening high-speed crash temporarily halted the action leaving driver Scott Pye with a destroyed car after he was sent careering into a concrete barrier.
May
The son of elderly Ashby woman Georgina Wild, who passed away from a suspected heart attack while waiting more than two-and-a-half hours for an ambulance in her home, was demanding answers instead of “empty promises” from St John WA after the tragedy.
Former Wanneroo mayor of 11-years Tracey Roberts won the seat of Pearce at the Federal Election after riding the red wave that swept across Australia’s polling booths. Ms Roberts beat out fellow City of Wanneroo councillor and Liberals candidate Linda Aitken.
June
Mindarie raised cycling superstar Jai Hindley claimed one of world sport’s greatest prizes after winning Italy’s gruelling three-week, 3446km test of endurance, the Giro d’Italia. The 26-year-old became the second Australian to achieve the feat.
Former Ocean Reef Sea Sports Club manager St John O’Neill was sentenced to 10 months prison after pleading guilty to stealing more than $100,000 from the club over nearly three years.
July
Not even Scarborough MLA Stuart Aubrey was safe from a stealing spree plaguing the area with thieves stealing $840 worth of belongings from his car. Police said Mr Aubrey’s car was one of nine broken into in the Scarborough area over two days.
Punters were devastated by the closer of popular North Beach fine-dining restaurant Clarke’s after almost 20 years. But they weren’t left sad for long when Wes and Cara D’Arcy — the couple behind Jarrah Bar and Cafe in Hillarys — swooped in with their latest venture, Mister D’Arcy.
August
Property Council WA slammed a proposed City of Stirling policy that would require developers incorporate at least 12 per cent affordable housing when building 20 or more residential units before the controversial proposal was dropped later that month.
Sorrento’s first childcare centre was finally approved and promised to service the “critically under-supplied” area, including Marmion families that were also without childcare facilities.
September
Linda Aitken emerged from a crowded field of 12 candidates to become the City of Wanneroo’s new mayor. She filled the vacancy left by Labor MP Tracey Roberts who Ms Aitken ran against as the Liberals’ candidate for the Federal Seat of Pearce.
Sisters Jade and Beth Bamforth were hailed as heroes after saving the lives of two men caught in a rip at Mullaloo beach. The teenagers were at their lifesaving club when they were alerted to cries for help from the water and sprung into action.
Cyclist Andrew Hutchison, 51, was fatally struck by a Ute after it rolled near the intersection of Northshore Avenue and Northshore Drive in Kallaroo while he was on a morning ride with his cycling club. Known as “Hutchy” to his mates he was remembered as a “salt of the earth” man.
October
Kinsley Football Club survivors pulled together to mark the 20th anniversary of the Bali bombing that took claimed the lives of seven of their members on an end-of-season trip. In an emotional night, players young and old took to the field for a legends game.
Perth artist Emma Buswell took out the City of Joondalup’s 2022 Invitation Art Prize for her hand-beaded Coles cooked-chook inspired handbag — and went viral in the process. She took home $25,000 for her piece titled ‘the sometimes luxury handbag and other suburban fables’ .
November
Quinns Mindarie Surf Life Saving Club leader Richard Lissett was named Surf Life Saving Australia’s volunteer of the year. Mr Lissett was selected out of more than 189,000 SLSA members from 314 clubs nationwide.
Macedonia Park got its first taste of Perth Glory action when the women’s team faced off against Adelaide. With HBF Park out of commission until February Perth Glory have found a new home in Balcatta for the first half of the A-leagues season.
December
A controversial $73.7 million eight-storey apartment development on a prime beachfront site in Sorrento was approved, despite firm opposition from the community and Joondalup council.
Lynn Cannon, a mother of two with a “lovely soul”, was allegedly stabbed to death by her ex-partner Paul Cannon in Lansdale in a domestic violence incident that sent shock waves across the State.
Parents at a northern suburbs primary school were up in arms over plans from controversial drug rehabilitation centre Shalom House to move its women’s program next door.