Year in review 2025: Highest rating stories that The West Australian readers considered the best

From missing backpackers to cold weather, these are the stories that you, The West Australian readers, could not get enough of throughout 2025.

With a mix of international headlines to quirky local yarns, it’s hard to argue with the cold hard data that reveals what readers considered the biggest stories over the past year.

Take a look at what were the most read yarns from 2025:

1. Novak Djokovic snubs Channel 9 at Australian Open

Serbian tennis champion Novak Djokovic caused a stir during the Australian Open when he boycotted an on-court interview with host broadcaster Channel Nine during his fourth-round victory.

His disdain came following comments from veteran sports journalist Tony Jones, who described the 10-time Australian Open-winner as a “has been”, “overrated” and suggested officials should “kick him out”.

Djokovic would refuse to speak with the network until he received an apology for being mocked.

Jones and Channel Nine would go on to issue an apology, but the initial snubbing created a media whirlwind amid one of Australia’s most iconic sporting events.

Reporter: Jackson Barrett

2. Harley Reid signs a monster contract ... with Puma

It was the news that every West Coast fan had been holding their breath and losing sleep over all season, Harley Reid had finally signed a new contract - with Puma?

The cheeky story drew in fans who were overjoyed at the thought the former number one pick had been locked away long-term with the club that drafted him.

Eagles fans tune changed quickly once they read the story, thankfully the Victorian eventually went on to sign a new contract with the Eagles.

However, that story did not draw nearly as much attention as his initial signing with the shoe brand.

Reporter: Jake Santa Maria

3. Mandurah pub’s bizarre Australia Day act

Mandurah pub Cobblers Falcon had locals scratching their head on Australia Day over Chinese Communist Party flags at the venues entrance.

Cobblers was one of the Australian Venue Co’s (AVC) 200 pubs that made headlines for “banning” Australia Day celebrations at their venues.

The controversial decision was met with outrage from many, with one going the extra mile in a ultimate act of protest over the Hong Kong-owned corporation.

Readers were left questioning if the venue was responsible or the flags were placed as a prank, but it created a media storm with locals debating the hot topic of Australia Day celebrations.

Reporter: Rachel Fenner

4. German backpacker Carolina Wilga found alive

One of the biggest stories that gripped the nation over 2025 was German backpacker Carolina Wilga going missing in the West Australian outback.

Ms Wilga had been missing for nearly two weeks before she was found by a member of the public injured and ravaged by mosquitoes but, miraculously, alive after 12 days missing in the outback.

The story was covered extensively by both Australian and German news outlets - with readers checking in over every update after she wandered away from her mini van in the Wheatbelt.

Thankfully the incredible story had a happy ending, with the 26-year-old returning home safely.

Reporter: Caleb Runciman

5. Tributes flow for WA mining pioneer Mark McKay

Tributes poured in after a McKay Drilling’s announced the passing of found Mark McKay, describing the WA mining magnate as a “legend of the industry and a legend of a bloke, his spirit will forever live on”.

Mr McKay founded the drilling outfit in Kalgoorlie-Boulder in 1990, working with junior explorers. In 1999 the company set an Australian record for the deepest reverse circulation hole at 802m at the famed Super Pit.

The now Wangara-based business was snapped up by Major Drilling International for $80 million in 2021 amid a flurry of mining services deals in early 2021.

Tribute were paid to for the titan’s tenacity and ingenuity to grow a business that now operates 23 drill rigs to service tier one clients.

Reporter: Daniel Newell

6. Carousel identified as measles exposure site

WA dealt with a constant rise in measles exposure sites throughout 2025, with new spots popping up regularly - but readers were taken aback when Carosuel had become the latest to join the long list.

The popular shopping centre has hundreds of people flow in and out each day, and many were left concerned that they had visited the exposure site amid an outbreak.

Reporter: Oliver Lane

7. Search for missing four-year-old Gus Lamont

The search for missing South Australian four-year-old, Gus Lamont, is still on going with multiple search efforts constantly taking new avenues.

Disappearing from his family home on September 27, 2025 in rural SA, the child is still yet to be found and the case has drawn widespread attention both nationally and internationally.

Following the biggest ever search of its kind conducted in South Australia, Police have pulled out all the stops but despite the extensive coverage, it remains an unsolved mystery.

Reporter: Madeline Cove

8. Ansteel replaces WA locals with Chinese workers

Ansteel’s Mid West iron ore operation made headlines for their controversial decision to sack locally based workers in favour for a cheaper alternative.

Facing massive financial loss, the mine decided to replace senior employees with more than 40 managers and technical specialists imported from China.

The news did not get much better for Karara Mining, with the Australian Tax Office stepping in to undergo an investigation on the shaky operation.

Reporter: Adrian Rauso

9. Trial of Outback Wrangler Matt Wright takes wild turn

Star of Outback Wrangler Matt Wright’s high profile trial saw extensive coverage over his bizarre actions to cover up a fatal helicopter crash that killed his co-star Chris Wilson in 2022.

The lengthy trial took wild turns, uncovering that Wright lied to police and pressured the chopper’s pilot, who was severely injured in the crash, into falsify flight records - with the jury finding the Netflix star guilty of attempting to pervert justice.

Reporter: Kristin Shorten

10. Perth hit with coldest day in 50 years

Readers can’t get enough of weather stories and the pinnacle came when Perth shivered through its coldest day in 50 years on August 25, 2025, recording a maximum of just 11.4C.

It had not been since July 29, 1975 (when the maximum was also 11.4C) that the temperature in Perth has stayed so low during the day, with the city also copping a lashing from rain and hail.

It had also been the coldest August day ever recorded at the Perth weather station in Mt Lawley, with the previous lowest maximum in August being 12.1C in 2020.

Reporter: Oliver Lane & Tegwen Bescoby