April Fools' Day brought a wave of playful pranks across Western Australia, from sports switches to pool transformations. The Mandurah Aquatic And Recreation Centre announced its 50m lap pool would become a giant ball pit for water conservation, with lifeguards practicing emergency scoop procedures and cannonballs scored out of 10.
In sports, AFL player Mason Cox allegedly ditched the Fremantle Dockers to sign with the Perth Wildcats, returning to his basketball roots. Cox, who played college basketball for Oklahoma State Cowboys, expressed excitement on social media. Real estate figure Tom Carlin claimed to launch an OnlyFans account with help from creator Lucy Banks, promising a new business venture.
Two private schools, Penhros College and Wesley College, announced a merger to form Pensley College in 2028, with a motto meaning 'it's just a joke'. Edith Cowan University offered a heritage-listed cottage for rent, but the booking link led to a Rick Astley video. The City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder encouraged residents to use horses for eco-friendly commuting, while DFES introduced rapid-response e-scooters for firefighters to bypass traffic.
St John and St John of God joked about merging to avoid confusion, and the Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre claimed to introduce salmon into its lap pool for water quality enhancement. These gags, aided by AI, kept the state entertained on April 1.
