INSIDE

www . kw i n ana .wa . g o v . a uCover photo: Australia Day 2017

ASSISTANCE FOR VERGE IMPROVEMENT

CITIZEN OF THE YEAR WINNERS

UPCOMING EVENTS

MARCH 2017OF KWINANA

Welcome to the autumn edition of the Spirit. We’re already two months into 2017 and those extended Christmas and New Year breaks are a distant memory.

The year got off to a great start in the City of Kwinana. Our epic Australia Day celebrations saw the community come together to celebrate our wonderful culture. We also held a special citizenship ceremony to welcome new citizens into our community and we celebrated those who have made major contributions to Kwinana through our Citizen of the Year Awards. We’re thrilled to be able to thank so many wonderful people in our community who really make Kwinana something exceptional. This year we chose our new Adventure Park on Calista Oval as a backdrop to the event and this was well received by the attendees.

Our events season is still in full swing and we have an inspiring range of activities and entertainment for you in the coming months. Our Harmony Week celebration is just around the corner (19 March), quickly followed by the launch of our Multicultural Action Plan on 21 March. Neighbour Day will finish off the month on a high note (26 March), while the Our Heritage and PEET’s Petscapade events will return in May.

To keep in the loop with the most up to date news and events from the City of Kwinana, subscribe to our new e-newsletter. Simply head to kwinana.wa.gov.au/enewsletter to stay in touch.

Carol Adams Mayor

Do you hold a valid Seniors Card or Aged Pension Card?

Are you a resident of Kwinana?

Are you planning on installing additional security features to your home?

MAYOR’S MESSAGE

SENIORS SECURITY SUBSIDY SCHEME

You may qualify for a $100 rebate from the City of Kwinana!

Please contact the City on 9439 0429 or admin@kwinana.wa.gov.au for further details.

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The Medina Residents Group (MRG) was the proud recipient of the ‘Citizen of the Year – Community Group or Event Award’, which was presented to the group at the City’s recent Australia Day celebrations.

The MRG has been around for 15 years and currently has 15 paying members and many more volunteers. We spoke to MRG Secretary, Bart Verwilligen, to discover more about this tight-knit community.

Q. What events and projects is the MRG involved with?

A. MRG organises such events as the Medina Community Festival, Medina Neighbour Day, Medina Heritage Walk and the group tackles debris on Pace Road on Clean-up Australia Day. MRG is also active in assisting local bush re-vegetation, assisting the City’s Bushcare Officer, as well as helping with activities around the Spectacles.

Each year a local person who has been a special asset to the community is elected to become the ‘Medina Marvel’, which is presented by Roger Cook during the Medina Community Festival.

One of the members recently set-up a project called ‘Share Medina’, through which help is provided to disabled and elderly with the upkeep of their gardens.

Q. Do you receive funding from any organisations or do you do your own fundraising?

A. MRG mostly raises its own funds with bi-annual Bunnings sausage sizzles and the City of Kwinana assists with funds towards Neighbour Day and the Medina Community Festival.

Q. What are some of your most notable memories of the MRG to date?

A. The most recent Medina Community Festival saw free food given to around 450 people and after the festival wrapped up, around 20 people pitched in to help with the clean-up – a real sign of a vibrant community spirit.

Q. What have you got coming up in the year ahead?

A. We have our planning meeting in early February, but the Medina Festival, Neighbour Day, Clean-up Australia Day and others are firm in the planning. There are also some exciting developments coming up. The laneway next to the Tavern will be re-opened and local artists have been approached to assist with decorative murals, so the whole laneway will become an awesome streetscape.

Q. Where can people go to find out more or to get involved with the MRG?

A. We meet every first Tuesday of the month at Medina Hall, starting at 7pm. You can also send an email to medinaresidents@gmail.com.

Q. Any last remarks?

A. There is no community without people. It’s very rewarding to make a difference!

MEDINA RESIDENTS GROUP

COMMUNITY FOCUS

The Medina Laneway

Project is a vital phase in the

City of Kwinana’s Medina

Revitalisation Project and will

see three new murals created

by WA artist Melski, who is

known for her bold colourful

work that will reflect key

aspects of Medina’s history

and culture. The laneway will

be fully landscaped with new

custom-made street furniture.

The Medina Laneway project

will be unveiled in early 2017.

Did you know?

PAGE 3

Harmony Week CelebrationReplacing the Sunset Fiesta, the Harmony Week Celebration will take place at Bertram Community Centre on Sunday, 19 March.

Activities to celebrate Harmony Week will include:• multicultural activities, music, dance and food; and• children’s activities.

Don’t miss out! Meet your neighbours and connect at this free community event.

When: Sunday, 19 March

Time: 5pm to 8pm

Where: Bertram Community Centre, Cnr Johnson Road and Hero Crescent, Bertram

Presented by the City of Kwinana and local resident groups.

Multicultural Action Plan launchThe City of Kwinana is launching the inaugural Multicultural Action Plan with a celebration on Harmony Day.

In the last decade, the number of Kwinana residents arriving from non-English speaking backgrounds has doubled, now standing at over 12%.

To complement this growth, the City devised the Multicultural Action Plan to remove barriers experienced by culturally and linguistically diverse residents, to improve participation across all aspects of life for new residents and to promote cultural diversity amongst the growing community.

The evening celebration will include the first public screening of an eclectic and beautiful mix of short stories, produced by Know Your Nation. The compilation will feature stories of 10 Kwinana residents who recently migrated to the City from diverse origins.

What: Celebrate our Stories: The Multicultural Action Plan Launch

When: Harmony Day, Tuesday, 21 March 2017

Time: 5:30pm to 7pm

Where: Ken Jackman Hall, Darius Wells Library and Resource Centre, Cnr Chisham Avenue and Robbos Way, Kwinana

Multicultural supper provided.

PEET Summer Music SeriesThis series of free live music will take place at Wellard Train Station Precinct from 5pm to 7pm across the next two months.

• Friday, 17 March – Kelly Robertson – classical and contemporary.

• Friday, 7 April – 7th Heaven Vintage Vocal Duo – smooth 40s to 60s harmonies.

• Friday, 21 April – Rochelle O’Reilly and The Feel Goods – pop and groove.

Summer Twilight ConcertsThe free entertainment continues in the City Centre with live concerts outside the Darius Wells Library and Resource Centre in Chisham Square.

Upcoming gigs include:

• Saturday, 11 March, 6pm to 8pm – Two Cent Professionals Swing Pop Party Bang

• Saturday, 8 April, 5pm to 7pm – The Fling Powerhouse Celtic

FREE

live MUSIC

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Neighbour DayA day when neighbours, streets and suburbs gather together to get to know each other better.

When: Sunday, 26 March

Time: Various

Where: Various locations across the City. Please refer to whatsonkwinana.com.au for full details of events in your area and follow the event on the City of Kwinana’s Facebook page.

Parks PlayJoin our Healthy Lifestyles team for free outdoor games, sports and activities for all ages.

When: Thursday, 20 April

Time: 10am to 12noon

Where: Harry McGuigan Park, Medina Avenue, Medina

Our HeritageActivities to celebrate our rich heritage in Kwinana include:

• Subsidised native, local seedlings for sale at just $1.50 each;• Voices of Kwinana photography competition – three age groups

and cash prizes. The theme is ‘Making Memories’. More information can be found at voicesofkwinana.org;

• Aboriginal heritage – join elders in storytelling and hands-on activities; and

• ‘If These Walls Could Talk – Gardens, Ghosts and Gung-Ho’ – three exciting speakers describe the heritage, hauntings and modern day experiences of Sloan’s Cottage.

When: Sunday, 7 May

Time: 9am to 12noon

Where: Sloan’s Cottage, Wellard Road, Leda

Presented by the City of Kwinana, Kwinana Heritage Group and Kwinana Community Share.

Additional heritage events include an open day at Smirk’s Cottage Museum in Medina, the Medina Heritage Walk and the ‘Having a Voice’ exhibition at the Darius Wells Library and Resource Centre. More details can be found at whatsonkwinana.com.au.

You can also access stories of locals at anzac.livekwinana.com.au.

PEET’s PetscapadeIt’s back for 2017! PEET’s Petscapade activities will include:

• specialised pet stalls including vets, services and pet paraphernalia;

• pet registration information;• animal farm and other children’s activities; and• pet walk and parade.When: Sunday, 28 May 2017

Time: 9am to 12noon

Where: Wellard Oval, Wellard

Presented by the City of Kwinana and PEET.

For more local event listings, visit whatsonkwinana.com.au

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HOW THE LITTLE TREATS ADD UP

By Anne Finch, Accredited Practising Dietitian for LiveLighter

There are lots of reasons why junk foods creep into our diet. They’re convenient, tasty, available everywhere and heavily promoted. While these types of foods used to be ‘treats’, they’re creeping in to our everyday diet. Junk foods have become so ubiquitous that we often don’t even notice when we eat them anymore.

Just the ‘little extras’ can pack a big wallop. A muffin here, a drive-through takeaway there… Make no mistake – this is junk food. These foods are energy-dense and nutrient-poor. They contain very little fibre or calcium and there’s rarely a vegetable in sight.

Junk foods displace healthy, nutritious foods in your diet. Because you’re filling up on food with little to no nutritional value, you’re not getting enough of the nutrients needed for good health and vitality.

Also, because junk foods have so little nutritional substance, they don’t leave you feeling satisfied and are easy to overeat.

How can we combat junk food creeping into our diets?

Think about whether what you eat falls into any of the categories in the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating: vegetables, fruit, grains and cereals, milk, cheese yoghurt and alternatives and meat and alternatives. If it doesn’t clearly fall into one of these categories, it’s probably junk food. Keeping a food diary is another good way to make us more mindful about what we’re eating and when/why.

Once you’ve identified where you’re getting tripped up by junk food, it’s easy to make some tweaks. Try these options to avoid falling into the junk food trap!

Come and ride the BMX track to celebrate Bike Week. Don’t fancy a spin on the track? You can make your own pedal-powered smoothie track-side instead. There will be plenty of demonstrations and giveaways on the day, so don’t miss out.

The Pedal Party event is suitable for all.

When: Friday, 17 March

Time: 3:30pm to 5:30pm

Where: Southern Districts BMX Raceway, Tucker St, Medina

The City of Kwinana’s Financial Assistance Program helps with the cost of accommodation and travel for individuals who have been selected to represent Western Australia or Australia in a regional, national or international sporting competition or event. Funding includes:

• International Events Funding up to $250 per person per year;• National Events Funding up to $175 per person per year; and• Regional Events Funding up to $100 per person per year;There’s a total budget pool of $7,500 and applicants can apply each year. Previous applicants have included equestrian, ice hockey, darts, rugby, roller hockey, soccer and ice skating groups.

For further details and to apply for funding, visit kwinana.wa.gov.au/sporting-grants.

Scenario SolutionDon’t feel like cooking

Do a big cook-up when you have time and freeze individual portions in zip lock bags. Healthy meals are just a defrost away! Check out the LiveLighter website – www.livelighter.com.au – for some healthy, simple meal ideas.

Don’t have time to cook

See above. It’s also useful to have some rapid-fire meals in your arsenal. Baked beans or scrambled eggs on toast, and tuna and salad are all satiating, healthy meals that you can prepare in about five minutes.

Impulse buys and cravings

Have a shopping list and stick to it. Keep a stash of healthy snacks like nuts, dried fruit and grainy crackers in case hunger takes you by surprise.

Special occasions and casual catch-ups

Meet for a meal, rather than a snack. Or better yet, go for a walk, rock climbing, or dancing.

Bring healthy nibbles and dishes to potluck parties. You’d be surprised, but healthy options are often the most popular plates at work morning teas and barbecues. Try making eggplant dip with veggie sticks, a melon platter or LiveLighter’s date and muesli slice.

HEALTHY LIFESTYLES

POP-UP PEDAL PARTY – LET’S GET ROLLING!

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE SPORTING GRANTS

PAGE 6

SWIM SCHOOL – HOLIDAY PROGRAM

The eight-day Swim School holiday program will start on 10 April and finish up on 21 April (no swimming on Good Friday and Easter Monday - 14 and 17 April). The program is suitable for kids aged three and above.

The cost for the holiday program is $107.20 and enrolments open on 20 March. Book in before 8 April to receive 20% off!

TERM 2 SWIM SCHOOL ENROLMENTS

Current participants will be able to enrol for term two from 27 March and new participants from 3 April. The term two sessions run from 24 April to 2 July and cost $134 for 10 weeks.

We cater for ages from three months through to adults.

BOOT CAMP IS BACK

Boot Camp is back and better than ever. Small group training starts up again in March with sessions from 5:30am to 6:30am and 10:30am to 11:30am on Tuesdays and Thursdays. See recquatic.com.au for further details.

SILVERSPORT

The super successful SilverSport funding is coming to a close for this round. The funding saw 341 applications with $66,000 used to help seniors get fit and healthy.

Here’s a snapshot of the program. Thank you to all that participated.

WHAT’S ON AT KWINANA RECQUATIC?

For more details on the programs and facilities on offer at the Kwinana Recquatic, contact the Centre directly on 9236 4700 or email recquatic@kwinana.wa.gov.au

Department of Local Government and Communities

Pilot project 1 July 2016 - 30 June 2017

dsr.wa.gov.au/silversport Email: silversport@dsr.wa.gov.au

Overview SilverSport supports seniors aged 60 years and over to participate in sport and active recreation. SilverSport allows eligible seniors to apply for financial assistance to contribute towards sporting club memberships or physical activity program fees of up to $200 per person.

Top 5 ways seniors are hearing about SilverSport

Demographics

18 Sport and recreation activities

Top 5 most popular activities

Top 5 most popular clubs / groups

18 Providers Businesses (12)

Community organisations (1)

Sport and recreation clubs (4)

Local Government (1)

12+1+4+1

Approved Applications* Seniors*Seniors can apply more than once (up to $200)

1 July 2016 - 31 Dec2016 Kwinana

Club / rec centre / program 134 40%

Friend / family 90 27%

Local government 40 12%

Newspaper 34 10%

Print materials 15 5%

43% Male

57% Female

Average age

69

43+574% CaLD

1% Aboriginal

19% Disability

Involved in a club, program or group in the last 12 months

58% Yes 42% No58+42

1. Swimming 127 38%

2. Bowls 57 17%

3. Fitness (gym membership) 55 17%

4. Golf 32 10%

5. Fitness (personal training) 10 3%

332 329

1. Kwinana Requatic Centre 205 62%

2. Kwinana Bowling Club 53 16%

3. Kwinana Golf Club 32 10%

4. Anytime Fitness 8 3%

5. Prime Movers 7 2%

• City of Belmont• Shire of Coolgardie• City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder• City of Kwinana• Shire of Northam

$300,000 Investment into 5 local governments.

Partnerships• Department of Sport and Recreation• Department of Local Government and Communities• Supported by the Seniors Recreation Council.

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The Kwinana Lions Club was first started in 1967 when a group of locals with a common interest in supporting the less fortunate in their community started holding unofficial meetings in the Naval Base Hotel. The meetings were sponsored by owner David Mickle who was at that time a member of the Fremantle Lions Club. The Kwinana Lions Club was officially formed in March 1968 and was chartered in June of that year.

Although membership was originally all male, women are now well and truly a major part of the association, including the current Lions Club of Kwinana’s president – Trudy Andrea.

This year marks the 100th Anniversary of Lions International and we’re fast approaching the 50th year that Kwinana Lions Club will have been supporting the community of Kwinana and its surrounds.

The Club has a proud history of serving those in need of help, from individuals to local groups and schools.

Many will recognise Kwinana Lions Club’s annual fundraiser – the giant Christmas Stocking Raffle and Lions Christmas cakes and Christmas puddings – all popular ways the Club gathers funds, which are 100% used in activities assisting those in need.

“Kwinana Lions Club would like to thank everyone in the community who has contributed to the Club’s success over the years,” said Club Secretary Dave Nelson.

“We look forward to many more years ahead.”

If you have some spare time and would like to be part of an organisation offering companionship, contact the Kwinana Lions Club Secretary Dave Nelson on 0411 890 419.

National Volunteer Week is an annual celebration to acknowledge the generous contribution of our nation’s volunteers, which runs from 8 to 14 May 2017.

Without volunteers, many communities would grind to a halt. Volunteers give of themselves without expectation of reward and play a vital role in creating strong, vibrant communities just like Kwinana.

Volunteers are significant contributors to the economic, social and cultural wellbeing of Western Australia and our community would be much poorer without these unsung heroes. Their endeavours fill us with hope and confidence for the future.

Bright Futures Family Day Care sourced a dedicated volunteer through the Volunteer Centre in Kwinana. Vanessa Boyd has now been with the Centre for a few years. She started out helping around the garden and now volunteers 15 hours per week and helps with playgroup sessions, helps with shopping, cooking lunches and tidying and is very much a part of the Bright Futures team.

If you’d like to offer your time as a volunteer and make a difference to the community, please contact the City’s Volunteer Coordinator on 9236 4314 or email volunteering@kwinana.wa.gov.au.

CENTURY CELEBRATION OF LIONS INTERNATIONAL

NATIONAL VOLUNTEERS WEEK

The Lions Club Kwinana will celebrate 50 years in 2018

PAGE 8

Did you know you are allowed to plant a garden on your verge? The City encourages residents to replace grass on their verge with a low growing, local native, mulched verge. This helps you to save water, improve the look of our streetscapes and provide homes and food for our native animals.

To help, an Adopt-a-Verge program will be run in April and May this year. Throughout these months the City will be running;

• verge gardening workshops;• a local native seedling subsidy scheme;• free self-loaded mulch during May; and• a free bag of soil conditioner and/or soil wetter for verge

gardening workshop participants.

This program is supported by the Water Corporation as part of the City’s participation in the Waterwise Council program.

If you’d like to find out more about verge gardening, check out the City’s Verge Policy and Verge Gardening Tips documents on our website, visit the Water Corporation’s website or contact the City’s Sustainability Officer on 9439 0243.

Get involved in one of the biggest citizen science projects in Australia, surveying black cockatoos. Volunteers will monitor known roost sites and count black cockatoos as they come into their evening roosts to help provide a snapshot of the cockatoo populations. The Great Cocky Count will take place on Sunday, 9 April at various sites throughout Kwinana.

If you’d like to take part, you can register online at birdlife.org.au.

The City of Kwinana’s community planting program will begin in May with the first planting at Sloans Reserve as part of the Our Heritage celebration. Also returning to the Our Heritage event is the popular seedling subsidy scheme. Up to 40 seedlings per person can be purchased at $1.50 each. Proof of residence is required. See page 5 for more event details.

Join Kwinana Beach Coastcare Group, Conservation Volunteers Australia and the community to protect our coastal dunes at the Kwinana Beach Coastal Planting. Meet at the Kwinana Beach carpark at 9am on Saturday, 3 June 2017. For further information, please email Coastcare’s Craig Wilson: craig.wilson@kwinana.wa.gov.au.

There will be a number of planting mornings throughout Kwinana in the months of May, June and July. Please check the City’s Facebook page for updates.

HELP FOR VERGE IMPROVEMENTS

THE GREAT COCKY COUNT

PLANTING DAYS

Image kindly provided by Keith Lightbody

PAGE 9

The Community Citizen of the Year Awards were presented at Kwinana’s 2017 Australia Day Celebration. The awards are presented by Local Governments across Western Australia to recognise individuals and organisations making a notable contribution in their communities.

Kwinana Mayor Carol Adams said she was proud to recognise the hard work of all winners and nominees at this year’s awards, which included Kwinana’s Citizen of the Year, Mandy Grubb who is an active member of many local groups and associations and founder of the Medina Residents Group.

“I would like to congratulate Mandy Grubb on behalf of the Kwinana community on her well deserved award,” Mayor Adams said.

“Many Kwinana residents will recognise Mandy from one of the many community-minded projects she commits herself to. Mandy is a true representation of the strong community spirit Kwinana is proudly known for.

“Both winners and nominees across the four categories for the 2017 Community Citizen of the Year Awards should be immensely proud of themselves. We are fortunate to have such outstanding citizens in our community.”

CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

The overall Citizen of the Year Award is awarded to an individual who has delivered outstanding service to his or her community.

Nominees: Les Whiddett, Mandy Grubb, Nicole O’Dea and Jonathan Shapiera

Winner: Mandy Grubb

AWARD FOR ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP

This award is presented to a group doing outstanding work for their community.

Nominees: Kwinana Youth Advisory Council, Medina Residents Group and Friends of the Spectacles

Winner: Medina Residents Group

The nominees and winners of the 2017 Kwinana Citizen of the Year Awards are:

KWINANA CITIZEN OF THE YEAR WINNERS

NOMINEES AND WINNERS

CITIZEN OF THE YEAR – SENIOR

This award goes to a person over 65 who has delivered outstanding service to his or her community.

Winner: Clare Edwardes

CITIZEN OF THE YEAR – YOUTH

This award goes to a young person under 25 who has delivered outstanding service to his or her community.

Nominees: Ebony Pavlov, Thomas Pratt and Sara ShengebWinner: Sara Shengeb

PAGE 10

Did you know that our community centres run term programs, school holiday programs and have spaces that can be hired out for everything from a small business meeting to a playgroup to a wedding reception?

The Darius Wells Library and Resource Centre, the John Wellard Community Centre and the William Bertram Community Centre all play host to some exciting and inspiring courses throughout term time. From yoga classes to photography workshops to healthy eating classes to sewing, there’s something to suit every taste. Plus, classes are heavily subsidised so there is little cost to you!

Hireable spaces are available at our three community centres, plus the City’s other halls and facilities throughout Kwinana including the Kwinana Recquatic and Kwinana Adventure Park.

For more information about our term brochures, school holiday programs and hireable spaces, see ‘Our Facilities’ on the City’s website or like us on Facebook for updates.

The theme for Voices of Kwinana’s inaugural photo competition is ‘Making Memories in Kwinana’.

Take a snap of your favourite place or object in our local community, tell us why you like it and be in the running to win up to $300!

The competition runs from 1 March to 3 May with an awards ceremony taking place at Sloan’s Cottage on Kwinana’s Heritage Day, 7 May.

To help you get your best photo, digital photography and smartphone workshops will be held at Kwinana Library throughout March and April. For more details, keep an eye on the Library’s webpage and the local history blog, voicesofkwinana.org.

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE AT OUR COMMUNITY CENTRES

VOICES OF KWINANA LOCAL HISTORY PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION

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SPRT0007

Recycle Right – spotlight on nappies

Soiled nappies can’t be recycled. This is one of the recent focus areas for the Recycle Right initiative.

Every day, thousands of nappies arrive at our regional recycling facility after having been placed in the wrong bin. Soiled nappies and incontinence products should never be placed in the recycling bin as they can contaminate the recycling process.

Please ensure all used nappies are placed in the regular waste bin. For more tips on which bin to use, visit recycleright.wa.gov.au.

Waste Dates

What’s on at Koorliny?The Koorliny Arts Centre plays host to a range of performances throughout the year. Performances coming soon include: Sun Rising – the songs that made Memphis, Everybody Loves Lucy, Stories on Stage, Once Upon a Mattress, 2017 Comedy Festival Roadshow and Rumour Has It.

For dates, times and more details, see koorliny.com.au.

Notice board

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AdministrationTelephone 08 9439 0200admin@kwinana.wa.gov.auwww.kwinana.wa.gov.auCnr Gilmore Ave & Sulphur Rd Kwinana WA 6167PO Box 21, Kwinana WA 6966Hours Mon to Fri, 8am to 5pm(Cashier hours 8am to 4pm)

Area

Junk and Whitegoods/Metals 2 2017

Green Waste 4 2017

1Put out waste 11-12 Mar 3, 4, 5 JunPick up commences

13 Mar 6 Jun

2Put out waste 25-26 Mar 10-11 JunPick up commences

27 Mar 12 Jun

3Put out waste 8-9 Apr 17-18 JunPick up commences

10 Apr 19 Jun

Keep in the loopThe City’s Spirit e-newsletter will be launching soon with news, updates and reminders from the City of Kwinana. Plus, we’re also launching a ‘What’s on Kwinana’ e-newsletter to keep you up to date with those events that are essential to mark in your calendar.

To sign-up to our e-newsletter list, head to kwinana.wa.gov.au or the City’s Facebook page and follow the prompts.