SLOW Food Perth has welcomed the establishment of Slow Food Southern Forests – Western Australia’s fifth Slow Food convivium – in the Pemberton and Manjimup districts. The convivium is led by Terra Madre 2008 chef-delegate and author Sophie Zalokar. Slow Food Australia’s interim board approved the new convivium application at its meeting in Melbourne on 20 February 2009. Slow Food Southern Forests will operate in one of Western Australia’s premier wine and food-growing areas. The region is also renowned for its long timber industry history as home to Western Australia’s ‘tall timber’ karri and jarrah-milling communities. National parks in the region, with extensive species’ diversity, are a major tourism drawcard. Slow Food in Australia now comprises 38 convivia.