IN YOUR REGION Edition 21 - December 2016

Dirk Hartog voyage of discovery, Pundara Guntharri cultural dancers, photo courtesy of Shire of Shark Bay photo courtesy of Shire of Shark Bay Credit: Apertunity Credit: Elise Hassey Full story on page 4 Ahoy there young sailor! Twenty-five young people from the Trainees will also take part in handover Goldfields-Esperance region are set to day on the last day of the voyage, experience the Leeuwin Youth Explorer charting the ship’s course and issuing Voyage thanks to $45,900 from the their own commands to sail the ship to State Government’s Royalties for its final anchorage. Regions Community Chest Fund. Schools will nominate a voyage before Focused on adventure, learning and the end of Semester 4 and will set sail friendship (and a lot of fun!), the along WA's coastline early next year. week-long voyage aims to challenge The program is managed by the and inspire young people to realise Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation, their personal potential and make an award-winning not-for-profit a positive contribution to the wider organisation that provides experiential community. learning and leadership development Trainees will get the opportunity to be programs aimed at young people part of all ship operations aboard the aged 14 to 25. STS Leeuwin II. They will be involved in activities from steering the ship and setting and furling the sails, to climbing the masts and standing watch while Trainees on board the STS Leeuwin II, sailing through the night. photo courtesy of Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation

Page | 1 DG Message Welcome to the final edition of the In Your Region newsletter for 2016. It has been another productive year I would like to thank our partner agencies in regional development with the as well as our industry and community continued delivery of great economic stakeholders for their support and social development outcomes throughout the year and I look forward to across our State’s nine regions. continued engagement in 2017. The Department of Regional I hope you enjoy this snapshot of the Development in partnership with exciting projects transforming regional the nine Regional Development Western Australia and I encourage you Commissions continues to work across to visit our website to find out more. government, community and industry On behalf of everyone in the Regional to drive new growth and investment in Development Portfolio, I wish our readers our regions. a very happy and safe festive season. In October the Portfolio launched the Royalties for Regions (RfR) Investment Map which displays information about Royalties for Regions projects throughout the State. Powered by Landgate, the online mapping Ralph Addis application allows Western Australians Director General to see the Royalties for Regions projects happening in their area.

There are big things happening in regional WA The launch of an online mapping "Investment in projects such as To see what’s happening in regional application has given Western infrastructure, health, communications Western Australia, visit the Australians the opportunity to see the and tourism contributes to creating RfR Investment Map at: scale of regional investment across vibrant regions with strong economies rfrmap.drd.wa.gov.au the State. where people want to live, work and The RfR Investment Map, powered by raise their children," Mr Addis said. Landgate, uses cutting edge technology to display information about Royalties for Regions projects across more than 4,700 locations. Department of Regional Development Director General Ralph Addis said the online map provided a unique opportunity for regional communities to see, in context, the planned or completed projects in their area.

Page | 2 Ballinyoo Bridge opening On Saturday 10 September 2016, more than 150 local Murchison residents gathered to celebrate the opening of an essential infrastructure project that has greatly improved access to the town of Murchison. The Ballinyoo Bridge, located 125 kilometres north of Mullewa and 75 kilometres south of the Murchison settlement, crosses the Murchison River at Ballinyoo Springs, providing an important connection point for the Murchison and Gascoyne communities. Shire of Murchison Chief Executive Officer Diane Daniels said the opening Aerial view of the new Ballinyoo Bridge, photo courtesy of Shire of Murchison. Credit: Nick Covelli event was a fitting celebration for the replacement bridge. “The original bridge was built in 1929 using local materials and exampled early pre-cast concrete construction,” Ms Daniels said. “[The former bridge] served us well for many years but, unfortunately, the original crossing did not provide year-round surety of access. During times of flooding the Murchison River became impassable, isolating parts of the district for months. “A span of the original bridge has been re-located just north-east of the river and is being developed into a rest site for locals and tourists alike.” While the original crossing holds a special place in the hearts of locals, the new bridge is a major advance in providing all-weather access for the community, industry, service providers Shire of Murchison President Mark Halleen and Mr Vincent Catania MLA open the Ballinyoo Bridge, and emergency services as well as access photo courtesy of Shire of Murchison. Credit: Nick Covelli to the Murchison Radio Observatory. Ms Daniels said the new bridge would “I am excited to see how the replacement The $5.5 million bridge was made provide increased tourism and visitor Ballinyoo Bridge will strengthen and possible thanks to Royalties for Regions opportunities to the region and connect grow the inland region,” she said. investments totalling $4.27 million major service centres. through the Country Local Government Fund and Mid West Investment Plan.

Page | 3 Denham celebrates Dirk Hartog Dutch explorer Dirk Hartog made the “[The shire] is also very proud of the Perforated aluminium was also used first recorded discovery of Australia by a Welcome to Country performed at to create representations of the area European when he landed at Shark Bay the festival’s opening ceremony. The and its local identities. Other projects aboard the Eendracht on 25 October 1616. Pundara Guntharri cultural dance was an included the installation of interpretive especially important part of the ceremony hubs, a 20-metre extension of the area's Marking a significant event in WA’s and will leave a lasting impression on our commercial jetty and the installation of maritime history, the Shire of Shark Bay community.” landscaped parking areas. celebrated the 400th anniversary of Hartog’s landing with a festival held in To further complement the upgraded The festival was made possible thanks Denham from 21 to 25 October 2016. foreshore, Denham's recreational to Royalties for Regions grants totalling jetty was also replaced in 2015 thanks Executive Manager for Community $499,367 and $71,254 awarded in the to a $2.2 million investment from Development at the Shire of Shark Bay, 14-15 and 15-16 rounds of the Gascoyne the Royalties for Regions Gascoyne Linda Butterly, said the ‘Dirk Hartog- Regional Grants Scheme (RGS) and Revitalisation Fund. Voyage of Discovery: Shark Bay 1616’ Gascoyne Community Chest Fund (CCF) festival delivered no shortage of respectively. A further $820,000 investment from crowd-pleasing moments. the Royalties for Regions Regional The shire, together with the State Community Services Fund enabled “While there were many highlights over Government, also undertook a number commemorative activities including an the five-day festival, the real stand-outs of initiatives to improve infrastructure ocean journey on replica Dutch ship the were the community concert, Pyrophone in Denham in anticipation of the Duyfken, as well as the establishment of Juggernaut, and the 1616 Golden Age 400th anniversary commemorations. new tourist attractions at historic sites Ball,” Ms Butterly said. One of these initiatives was the in the area. “These events drew crowds and are still redevelopment of the Denham To learn more about the voyage of Dirk being talked about around town. foreshore which was transformed with Hartog and the rich history of Shark Bay, The Golden Age Ball brought 17th a new adventure playground and shade Century costumes to life and had shelters made out of timber from the visit www.sharkbay1616.com.au onlookers taking photos of the beautiful old Denham jetty. gowns and historical outfits,” she said. Dirk Hartog festival opening ceremony, photo courtesy of Shire of Shark Bay. Credit: Apertunity

Page | 4 Above: Regional Development Minister Terry Redman at the festival's closing ceremony, photo courtesy of Shire of Shark Bay. Credit: Elise Hassey Below: Dancers perform a traditional Welcome to Country at the festival's opening ceremony, photo courtesy of Shire of Shark Bay. Credit: Elise Hassey

Page | 5 AWESOME festival brings arts to regions The AWESOME International Arts “We tried drawing our own characters “I hope they see that there are Festival for Bright Young Things hit and placing them in recognisable possibilities of careers in the arts, and the road in 2016, bringing unique arts settings, and we looked at how to that creative play should be an integral experiences to families and schools make our speech bubbles as readable part of our lives.” in Bunbury and Merredin from as possible. The kids then applied those AWESOME Arts Australia Ltd Chief 16 to 24 October. skills to their own comics.” Executive Officer Jenny Simpson said The inaugural AWESOME Festival Mr Foley said it was important to teach that overall, the 2016 roadshow had Roadshow delivered a variety of children about the arts and let them proven a great success. art-based activities over nine days, explore their creativity. including performances of The “The AWESOME Festival Roadshow “If you teach kids how to illustrate and Bookbinder; an enchanting one-man provided regional communities the write, you’re not just giving them theatre show by New Zealand’s Trick of opportunity to access high-quality arts a chance to have fun, you’re also giving the Light Theatre Company. experiences for younger audiences,” them an opportunity to use their Ms Simpson said. The tour also featured the State Library’s imagination, problem solve, and practise Better Beginnings 'Books-to-Go' courage, determination and resilience. “We have been delighted by the program and comic book workshops run “[You’re teaching them] to learn how to responses received from both by James Foley and Campbell Whyte. make mistakes and try again. These are communities.” Mr Foley, a highly sought after children’s important skills that can be applied to The 2016 AWESOME Festival Roadshow author and illustrator, visited the all aspects of life,” he said. was made possible thanks to a $26,639 Bunbury Regional Entertainment Mr Foley said he hoped his workshop grant from the Royalties for Regions Centre in the State’s South West to teach was not only educational but inspiring Regional and Remote Touring Fund, children aged 6 to12 techniques in to bright young minds. administered by the Department of illustrating comic books. Culture and the Arts. “I hope the kids discovered some new “We started off with some basic drawing and writing skills that will cartooning and figure drawing skills,” help them have fun making their own Mr Foley said. comics,” he said. Bright young things share ideas with James Foley, photo courtesy of AWESOME Arts Australia Ltd

Page | 6 WA is worth sharing! Clean, fresh air, blue skies and sunshine. These are the images that often come to mind when picturing Western Australia. Now captured in an innovative brand, WA is proudly being showcased across the globe as a reliable source of premium and safe agrifood products. The Western Australia Worth Sharing brand campaign is an integral component of the State Government’s $350 million Seizing the Opportunity provide local exporters with the tools More than 25 companies have already Agriculture initiative and is being led by required to market their products signed up for free use of the new the Department of State Development. overseas. logo, pictured above, which will be introduced to the key markets of growth Launched by Premier Colin Barnett at The campaign encompasses a distinctive hubs Singapore, Shanghai, Tokyo and Perth City Farm on 14 October 2016, logo featuring WA and a website where Jakarta via an international advertising the $8.1 million campaign is part of people from overseas can learn about campaign. Export partners will be able an initiative aimed at capturing overseas and connect with companies exporting to use the brand and incorporate it into export markets and capitalising on local produce. The campaign is based their international marketing plans. Asia’s emerging demand for produce. around the idea of sharing, with WA companies and their individual stories Visit www.waworthsharing.com.au The unifying brand is designed to at its heart. and see how you can get involved! increase awareness of the State and

Ray Ryder rocks out on country tour Country rock singer Ray Ryder has “I am really thrilled to be taking my new Visit www.rayryder.com.au for more kicked-off his national tour in regional songs on the road with my band creating information. WA, opening at the Narrogin Spring a fun, energy-filled showcase of original Festival on 29 October 2016 before music for people of all ages,” Ryder said. travelling through the Wheatbelt, South West, Peel and Goldfields-Esperance “The shows will give audiences regions. a fantastic opportunity to connect with a group of musicians who really love Ryder is an experienced singer, what they do, as well as give the local songwriter, musician and entertainer community a chance to participate in who has shared the stage with some a free music workshop." of the music industry’s biggest stars including Sting, Chris Isaak, Ryder’s WA tour runs from October 2016 John Farnham, Shirley Bassey and more. through to February 2017 and is made Ryder said he looked forward to possible thanks to the Regional and bringing his free concert to communities Remote Touring Fund, which is delivered across the State. by the Department of Culture and the Arts as part of the $24 million Royalties for Regions Creative Regions program.

Page | 7 State's regional achievers honoured Eleven individuals and organisations “The awards recognise locally driven • Insurance Commission of Western from across regional Western Australia projects and activities that help ensure Australia Regional Safety Award – were honoured at the 15th annual regional communities continue to thrive RoadWise Committee of Kimberley Regional Achievement and Community and develop,” Mr Redman said. • Curtin University Teaching Excellence Awards on Friday 28 October 2016. Award – Jade Warrington of Withers “It is important to acknowledge those Proudly supported by the Department who inspire us with their leadership • Worldwide Printing Solutions Sports of Regional Development, the awards and dedication, and celebrate the Award – Chelsea Randall of Newman play an important role in applauding contribution they make to our regional • Prime Super Community Group of the those individuals, businesses and communities.” Year Award – Earbus Foundation of community groups that have made an Western Australia A total of 315 individuals and outstanding contribution to the social, • Indago Solutions Agricultural organisations were nominated for an economic, commercial or environmental Innovation Award – Advance Packing award in 2016. Of those nominated, prosperity of their region. and Marketing Services Ltd Pty, eleven category winners were selected Fresh Produce Alliance of Manjimup The presentation gala dinner, held at by a panel of judges comprising category • Rinehart Development of Northern the Perth Convention and Exhibition experts, sponsor representatives and Regional WA Award – Onslow Centre, saw 500 guests from across the community leaders. Chamber of Commerce and Industry State gather to celebrate this year’s The eleven category award winners for winners. • Horizon Power Leadership and 2016 were: Innovation Award – Patron of the awards, Regional • Community TAB Community Service Andrew Outhwaite of Geraldton Development Minister Terry Redman, Award – Andre Foulon of Manjimup • LandCorp Sustainability Award said the event commended the excellent • Prime Super Employer Excellence in – Wheatbelt Integrity Group of work being done in a variety of fields Aged Care Award – Wattle Hill Care of Newdegate across regional Western Australia. Bunbury • RAC Volunteering Award – Robert Reekie of Busselton

2016 award winners with Department of Regional Development Director General Ralph Addis, photo courtesy of Awards Australia

Page | 8 In Your Region is going digital! The Department of Regional Development (DRD) values its stakeholders’ ongoing support and readership of the In Your Region newsletter. In an effort to reduce its environmental footprint and at the same time provide readers with more convenient access to each edition, DRD is taking steps towards making email its primary means of newsletter distribution. The December 2016 newsletter will be the final edition of In Your Region posted to subscribers. As of March 2017, DRD will send subscribers a link to the latest edition of In Your Region via email. Should you wish to subscribe via email, please contact Overall winners Wayne and Jennie Franceschi of FPA accept their prize from Department of Regional [email protected] Development Director General Ralph Addis, photo courtesy of Awards Australia If you are already an email subscriber and wish to keep your subscription, no action Advance Packing and Marketing “Congratulations to Fresh Produce is required. Services Pty Ltd – Fresh Produce Alliance on their significant DRD looks forward to bringing you more Alliance (FPA) was announced as the achievement. It’s great to see so many updates on the exciting Royalties for Department of Regional Development innovative initiatives at work in our Regions projects benefiting regional Overall State Winner. regions,” Mr Addis said. communities across the State. FPA won recognition for its use of Category winners each received innovative technology to convert a trophy and a $2,000 prize from the waste produce into naturally healthy, Commonwealth Bank. delicious products that are marketable both domestically and internationally. For more information about the Regional Achievement and “I congratulate FPA on their work Community Awards and this year’s in the South West, which is making winners, please visit a valuable contribution to the www.awardsaustralia.com sustainability of our regions and WA’s agrifood sector,” Mr Redman said. Department of Regional Development Director General Ralph Addis presented the prestigious award.

Page | 9 Sowing the seeds of success When it comes to tropical agriculture in Western Australia, Kalyn Fletcher knows her stuff. Kalyn, a seed producer from Kununurra, won the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation’s (RIRDC) WA Rural Women’s Award in March 2016, and was later announced as the national RIRDC Rural Women’s Award runner-up on 14 September 2016. The annual Rural Women’s Award identifies and supports emerging female leaders who have the desire, commitment and leadership potential to make a greater contribution to primary industries and rural communities. Every year, one winner is named from each Australian state and territory, with a national winner then selected from the finalists. Each state and territory winner is awarded a $10,000 bursary towards a nominated industry project of their choice. In 2016 Kalyn was recognised for her commitment to Western Australia’s tropical agriculture sector and her WA RIRDC Rural Women's Award winner and national runner-up Kalyn Fletcher, passion for empowering others in photo courtesy of RIRDC the industry. Her proposed project, ‘Tropical agriculture – discover, promote, particularly women in this industry,” Kalyn and her husband manage two support’, encompasses a study tour to Kalyn said. family businesses; wholesale seed production company RB Dessert Seed Co. Brazil’s Cerrado region to learn from Having grown up on her family’s farm and the Hoochery Distillery, its experienced and extensive tropical in the East Kimberley’s Ord Irrigation an international award-winning rum and agriculture industry. Area, Kalyn developed an aptitude for liqueur producer. Kalyn said she intended to share her agriculture early in life. She went on insights from the study with industry to complete a Bachelor in Agriculture Kalyn works closely with industry on stakeholders to support the growth Science and a Bachelor in Agribusiness new crop development, producing and success of the tropical agriculture before working at grain origination seed and conducting research trials for industry in northern Western Australia. business AWB Ltd in Goondiwindi, emerging crop species. One of her many Queensland. Kalyn and her husband achievements is the implementation of “Applying for this bursary was not eventually moved back to Kununurra a sorghum breeding program that about the awards or achievements, it where they have raised their three young focuses on the production of forage was about supporting and promoting boys for the past 10 years. sorghum varieties suited to tropical agriculture in Western Australia and conditions.

Page | 10 Kalyn believes that tropical agriculture – which encompasses all agricultural production in the tropics including beef, horticulture and grain production – will play an ever increasing role in Australia’s agricultural future. “Tropical agriculture is the future for Australian agriculture. It will be the catalyst to develop northern Australia and boost employment and investment in remote and rural communities," she said. Kalyn praised the Rural Women’s Award program for its recognition of women in industry and rural communities, and its promotion of their accomplishments and Kalyn Fletcher and fellow WA finalists at the WA RIRDC Rural Women's Awards in March 2016, future endeavours. photo courtesy of RIRDC “I have been amazed by the amount “I encourage all rural, remote and Nominations for the 2017 RIRDC Rural of knowledge sharing that has already regional women with a concept and Women’s Award are now closed. For been created since the awards in March a passion to progress it, to nominate more information, visit www.rirdc.gov. this year,” Kalyn said. [for the program].” au/rural-women's-award “The award ceremony was a wonderful celebration of the contributions made by In Western Australia, the RIRDC Rural women in rural and remote communities Women’s Award is coordinated by the and also primary industries. Department of Regional Development.

New bus for aged care residents Residents at the Juniper aged care Juniper’s Chief Executive Vaughan Juniper will procure the vehicle, have it facility in Katanning will soon enjoy the Harding said the additional support from modified with a hoist and purchase five benefits of day-trips and opportunities Royalties for Regions to purchase the new ‘crash proof’ wheelchairs. for more lifestyle choices. new bus was warmly received by the “We plan to accept delivery of a new organisation. The 26-bed facility will soon receive an Toyota Coaster bus and have it outfitted accessible transport bus thanks to “The need for a disability-friendly service so we are ready to provide the new a $150,000 grant from the Southern is becoming increasingly pressing as our service in early 2017,” Mr Harding said. Inland Health Initiative made possible residents age and face greater challenges by the State Government’s Royalties for with mobility and participating in a full Regions program. life,” he said. Twelve organisations received the one-off grants that will assist older “With this, residents will also have better people living in regional areas to remain access to specialist services and medical independent, involved and contributing appointments.” members in their community.

Page | 11 Summer lovin' in the Peel Three Summers, the new ensemble Peel region, the story of Three Summers The film is being produced by Australian romantic comedy written and directed is inspired by the State’s popular companies Taylor Media and Invisible by multi-award winning creative talent Fairbridge Festival. Shot in Fairbridge, Republic with support from Screenwest , is the first production to be the film’s timeline covers three thanks to Royalties for Regions, Screen supported by the $16 million Western consecutive years at a fictional festival, Australia, Transmission Films and Australian Regional Film Fund. comically named ‘Westival’. Arclight Films. Elton is a writer, director, comedian and Quirky and comedic, Three Summers Producer Michael Wrenn, of Invisible actor whose work has been enjoyed by centres on a love story between two Republic, said the production team were millions of people around the globe for young musicians played by Australian excited to collaborate on the film. Home and Away star Rebecca Breeds, more than 30 years. His screenwriting “We are delighted to bring together and Irish actor Robert Sheehan, best credits include the iconic television such an amazing cast for Ben Elton’s known for the cult UK sci-fi television comedies The Young Ones, Blackadder first Australian feature, Three Summers,” series Misfits. and Mr Bean. Elton has also penned Wrenn said. fifteen best-selling novels including While it fuses romance and music, the “It is a testament not only to [Elton’s] , and . film also explores more serious themes talent and script, but also to the respect Three Summers is his second feature film of racism and immigration in Australia. we all share for his political spirit, after Maybe Baby (2000). Over the filming period, more than genuine sense of community and his Set to be the first feature film shot 100 cast and crew were joined by close comedic work. entirely in Western Australia’s scenic to 1,000 enthusiastic local extras on location at Fairbridge. “The support from the heritage town of Pinjarra, Fairbridge Village and the Noongar people in the Peel region has been both amazing and humbling,” he added.

Filmed and produced in collaboration with local organisations in the region, the movie conveys a strong sense of place and community both on and off the screen. Three Summers wrapped filming on 15 October 2016 and is expected to be released nationally in cinemas in mid to late 2017.

Ian Booth, Paul Fitzpatrick, Ben Elton and Regional Development Minister Terry Redman visit the set of Three Summers, photo courtesy of Screenwest

Level 2, 140 William Street, PERTH WA 6000 | Postal Address : PO Box 1143, WEST PERTH WA 6872 | Telephone : +61 8 6552 1800 Free call : 1800 049 155 (Country Only) | Facsimile : +61 6552 1850 Email : [email protected] | Website : www.drd.wa.gov.au

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