Coronavirus crisis: Rockingham locals flock to the Swinging Pig pub for drink with WA Premier Mark McGowan

Joe SpagnoloThe West Australian
Camera IconRita Kocass is all smiles as she meets the Premier. Credit: Daniel Wilkins/The West Australian

Slim Dusty may have wanted to have “a beer with Duncan” — but down Rockingham way all they want to do is have a beer with Mark.

WA Labor Premier Mark McGowan today got a rock star reception at a his local pub — the Swinging Pig — as the beers flowed to toast the fact that life was pretty much back to normal in the west as even more COVID-19 restrictions were lifted as part of Phase 4.

And they toasted Mr McGowan — Australia’s most popular leader — on a day when COVID-19 cases in WA totalled just four, and there were no new cases of coronavirus recorded overnight.

“Thank you for easing the restrictions for my birthday,” Keri O’Keefe said, lifting her glass to a smiling Mark McGowan.

But there was another reason the beer was flowing at the Rockingham pub.

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The beers were free — for anyone who was at the Swinging Pig just after noon when Mr McGowan arrived at the pub.

And that meant about 180 free lagers.

Anyone who was named Mark, also got a free feed — as long as someone else at the table ordered a meal too.

Rockingham man Mark Wilcock was chuffed that he didn’t have to pay for his feed — or beer.

“I think he (Mark McGowan) has done an excellent job,” he said.

“He’s been up against a lot of people who wanted the borders open — including the Prime Minister.”

When Mark McGowan came close, Mr Wilcock reminded the Premier they shared the same first name, telling him that Mark “meant warrior in Latin.”

Camera IconPremier Mark McGowan visits The Swinging Pig in Rockingham. Credit: Daniel Wilkins/The West Australian

Mr McGowan said he didn’t know Mark meant warrior, telling Mr Wilcock his mother Mary had picked the name “because it was popular”.

“I was born in 1967, so it was a common name,” Mr McGowan said.

“I went to lots of different schools. One of the schools I went to had at least three Marks in my year.”

But they weren’t just locals who had come to see the popular Premier.

Kelly George had driven all the way from Kalgoorlie to see him.

“I was coming down to Perth anyway, so I thought I’d come to Rockingham when I heard he’d be here,” she said.

Camera IconPremier Mark McGowan visits The Swinging Pig in Rockingham, and gets an elbow from another Mark. Credit: Daniel Wilkins/The West Australian

“He has been steadfast in his leadership.”

Another group of 12 young men travelled from Perth to meet Mr McGowan — dressed as Mark McGowans.

“We were inspired by the professionalism of him, and how well he has organised the whole COVID situation,” Will White.

“We kept our fingers crossed he’d turn up and luckily he did.

Camera IconPremier Mark McGowan visits The Swinging Pig in Rockingham, meeting a bunch of local guys who dressed up like Mark for the day. Credit: Daniel Wilkins/The West Australian

“We got a photo taken with him. “

Mr McGowan said he was humbled by the support.

“It is great of the Swinging Pig to do this,” he said.

“It’s great to meet so many Mark’s and people from Rockingham.

“It’s been a humbling experience being the Premier and I’ve been very lucky.”

Originally published as Coronavirus crisis: Rockingham locals flock to the Swinging Pig pub for drink with WA Premier Mark McGowan

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