Perth is obviously undergoing great change at the moment. That's exciting. But it's also nice to see certain buildings, structures and landmarks that have been in much the same condition for as long as you can remember. One of these is the Lincoln Street Ventilation Stack in Highgate.

From time to time back in the seventies and eighties I would go near it and it always caught my eye. I never knew what its function was, however. I was a bit curious, but never enough to actually do some research, or just look at it closely enough to see what it was all about. I used to think it was some kind of memorial to fallen soldiers, actually!

Having returned to Perth again last year, I kept noticing it again. Recently I was in the area. I finally had a close look and read the inscription on it. Only then did I realize that it's true function was to ventilate the sewerage system, of all things!

It's certainly an impressive art deco structure that has a certain dignity about it. It was heritage listed a few years ago. The fact that it's still in very good condition after 70 years shows how well made it was.

As that old saying goes, they sure don't make things like they used to anymore! Back in the early forties, even something designed to funnel putrid air out of the nostrils of nearby residents was designed and built with great care and skill, as the shots below attest.