ISSUE 25 Katanning seizes SuperTown status

Big turn-out for community consultation

Talk around Katanning is all about its future as a SuperTown.

Community consultations have been taking place since Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls launched the Katanning SuperTown process on Friday 30 September.

Mr Grylls congratulated the town on the strong turn-out to the launch, which drew more than 250 people, and the keen interest shown in the concept.

“It is time for Katanning and the region to be aspirational about the future,” Mr Grylls said.

Mr Grylls said the initiative would help Katanning to take advantage of opportunities created by the expected doubling of ’s population over the next three or Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls (right) launched Katanning’s SuperTown process four decades. in September, accompanied by GSDC Chair Peter Rundle (left), Agricultural MLC and Katanning Shire President Richard Kowald. Katanning is one of nine regional towns named as SuperTowns in July, giving it the appointments with community groups and opportunity to seek funding for long-term other stakeholders. planning and for infrastructure and services projects. A workshop in December attracted 35 representatives from various State and inside this issue: Mr Grylls said the nine SuperTowns were Federal Government agencies. chosen because of their growth potential. Festival program launch ...... 2 GSDC Chief Executive Offi cer Bruce Manning Wine push in Hong Kong, Taipei ..... 2 Royalties for Regions funding of $80 million said information collated by the consultants for projects and $5.5 million for planning will shape strategies for the Shire of Activ workers welcome Minister ...... 3 underpins the SuperTowns initiative, formally Katanning, Landcorp and the GSDC. known as the Regional Centres Development Landscapes forum for Albany ...... 4 Plan. “The SuperTown initiative will underpin Borden sports upgrade ...... 4 signifi cant opportunities for Katanning and The Great Southern Development work in synch with a regional plan for the Community centre draws praise ..... 5 Commission (GSDC) chairs a Katanning entire Great Southern,” Mr Manning said. SuperTown project management team. Bus service set for summer ...... 5 The has engaged with Fresh life for bowling club ...... 5 Following the September launch, the Shire surrounding Shires during the SuperTowns of Katanning formed a community reference consultation phase. GSDC’s new staff ...... 6 group and appointed town planning and project management consultants TME to Mr Grylls said the SuperTowns process would Waterfront art ...... 7 lead the community consultation process. not diminish funding to existing programs in Tourism honours ...... 7 the region and would have a positive fl ow-on A public workshop in November attracted effect to other regional towns. Centre builds cultural pride ...... 8 a strong crowd and the consultants have subsequently undertaken one-on-one Contact Bruce Manning ph. 9842 4888 Festival program revealed

Exciting line-up for tenth Great Southern Festival

Ten years along, the Great contrast, Congolese street music Southern Festival is going from from Staff Benda Bilili, a group strength to strength. of paraplegic musicians blending rumba with 70s funk, Cuban son Initiated in 2003 by the GSDC and mambo. and the International Arts Festival, the Great Southern Theatre events include Jack Festival is the only regional Charles v the Crown, a warm- program of Perth Festival events. hearted tale in which Jack Charles tells his own story of New artistic director Jonathan drug addiction, crime, acting and Holloway outlined the 2012 Aboriginal activism. program at a launch at the Albany Entertainment Centre on Voice is the focus of the ever- Wednesday 23 November. popular Playmakers series in 2012, featuring workshops and Mr Holloway said his fi rst festival performances from Suade, the would provide exciting and Perth International Arts Festival artistic director Jonathan Magnets and Ruby Philogene. enriching experiences for patrons. Holloway presented the Great Southern Festival program at a sunset event at the Albany Entertainment Centre in November. The Great Southern Festival The program for 2012 is a fi tting is supported by $225,000 of line-up to mark the festival’s tenth outing, music, theatre, literature, art and cinema Royalties for Regions funding through the starting with a free dusk ceremony at the roll out at a range of venues in Albany, Great Southern Regional Grants Scheme, Anzac Peace Park on the Albany foreshore Denmark and Katanning. as three-year funding covering festivals on Friday 10 February at 7pm. from 2011 to 2013. Highlights include exquisite classical music From the next day, festival events including from the Escher String Quartet and, in Contact Linsey McFarlane ph. 9842 4888

2 Wine producers tempt Taiwan

Great Southern profile on the rise

Great Southern wineries continued their “The Great Southern’s cooler climate tends push into Asian markets in November, to produce more elegant styles, which are including the relatively new destination of better suited to Taiwanese cuisine, with its Taiwan. French and Japanese infl uences.”

Supported by the GSDC and Austrade, six Contacts made at the event are still regional wineries promoted their products being explored by the producers, and in Taipei and Hong Kong from November Ms Reed said their experience in Taiwan 3 to 7. would contribute to efforts to enter other developing markets of Korea and Vietnam GSDC Export Development Offi cer Forest Hill general manager Paul Byron in 2012. Elizabeth Reed accompanied the introduces the winery’s range in Taiwan. delegation and said the Hong Kong visit Exposure at the Hong Kong event helped took in the 2011 Hong Kong International representatives, media, educators and to raise the profi le of Great Southern wines Wine and Spirit Fair, a key wine marketing premium customers. and resulted in signifi cant orders. event attended by thousands of delegates. “Many attendees had tried South Great Southern riesling was highlighted at Ms Reed said the Taipei opportunity Australian wines but were keen to explore a masterclass in Hong Kong. was a smaller, targeted tasting for Western Australian wine as they were seen about 80 invited guests including trade to be of a higher quality,” Ms Reed said. Contact Elizabeth Reed ph. 9842 4888 Activ workers welcome Minister

Improved workplace in full production

Fifty people with disabilities have a better workplace in Albany following the completion of Activ’s warehouse construction and fi t-out projects.

Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls and South West MLC Colin Holt opened the new facility in Minna Street, Albany, on Friday 9 December.

Activ built the $1.2 million facility with support through the GSDC under the previous State Government, and the $190,000 fi t-out of the centre gained $95,000 of Royalties for Regions funding through the GSDC’s Great Southern Regional Grants Scheme (RGS).

Mr Grylls said the government had a strong commitment to people with disabilities and recognised the contribution that people Activ Business Manager John Embleton showed Minister Grylls and GSDC Chairman Peter at Activ made to the community and the Rundle through the new work facility. regional economy. marking the occasion, Mr Grylls invited Activ’s Minna Street premises now boasts “It is important that you have good Activ worker Kayla Macdonald to join him a 1300 sq m production facility that facilities that allow you to be the strong and Mr Holt for the offi cial moment. houses its timber products, packaging and and successful organisation that you are,” textile workers. Mr Grylls said. Mr Holt congratulated Activ on achieving fi fty years of work in Albany, celebrated The fi t-out funded through the RGS 3 To perform the unveiling of a plaque recently during Disability Week. included shelving and racking, moving and installing dust extraction equipment and treating the fl oor of the building.

Major activities include making pallets and bins for exporters, using certifi ed pine timber that must be traceable to source. Minister Grylls invited Activ worker Kayla Mr Grylls and Mr Holt, and an offi cial party Macdonald including Activ Chief Executive Offi cer Tony to join him Vis, O’Connor MHR Tony Crook and GSDC and South Chairman Peter Rundle, toured the facility West MLC Colin Holt for and chatted to the Activ workers. the unveiling ceremony. Tasks under way included the manufacture of pallets and lattice, and repackaging 28,000 bottles of wine to export standard.

Contact: Steve Pontin ph. 9842 4888

GSDC festive season closure GSDC offi ces in Albany and Katanning will close for the Board and staff members wish all project partners and Christmas break at 5pm on Friday 23 December, and reopen supporters compliments of the season and look forward to on Tuesday 3 January. working together constructively in 2012. Landscapes forum for Albany

National attention for Great South West Edge

Albany will host the 2012 National Landscapes forum, bringing national delegates to the Great South West Edge for the fi rst time. Tourism WA Chief Executive Offi cer Australia’s Great South West Edge was Stephanie Buckland recently named a National Landscape, and Great South taking in the coast and immediate West Edge National Landscapes steering hinterland from Busselton’s tuart forests committee chair Ross to Cape Arid east of Esperance. MacCulloch at the Tree Top Walk. Tourism WA Chief Executive Offi cer Stephanie Buckland offi cially launched the Great South West Edge at a function at the Tree Top Walk in November. The National Landscape program was was supported by the GSDC, Department National parks, beaches and granite coast started by Tourism Australian and of Environment and Conservation and are characteristic of the richly biodiverse Parks Australia to promote destinations neighbouring Development Commissions. Great South West Edge, and Albany is well recognised as Australia’s most signifi cant located to highlight these attractions at the natural environments. A consultant is being sought to prepare national body’s annual forum next year. an experience development strategy to National Landscapes benefi t from targeted guide the creation of tourism products and The forum brings up to 50 delegates from promotions aimed at the lucrative ‘global infrastructure to complement the National National Landscapes, including Ningaloo- experience seeker’ tourist market. Landscape status. Shark Bay and the Kimberley in Western Australia, and from related agencies. Nomination of the Great South West Edge Contact: Linsey McFarlane ph. 9842 4888

4 Borden updates sporting precinct

Six codes benefit from consolidation project

Borden is giving its sporting wicket and the bowling club has precinct a major makeover an outdated clubroom and labour- with support from Royalties intensive heavy grass surface. for Regions through the Great Southern Regional Development “Almost the whole community Scheme (RGS). takes part in one sport or another on a Saturday, either A project to consolidate and playing, offi ciating, volunteering update sporting infrastructure or watching, and the precinct around the Borden Pavilion development ensures the pavilion gained $140,000 of funding will continue to be at the centre of in the third round of the RGS, that social activity.” enabling the pavilion committee to push ahead with a $967,000 Gnowangerup Shire President Kerry Stone and Borden Pavilion Com- Improvements include new tennis plan to improve facilities for six mittee member Rebecca O’Meehan at the town’s tennis courts, soon and netball courts, better lighting sporting codes. to be the site of new bowling greens. and synthetic bowling greens. The project, also supported by Gnowangerup Shire President Kerry Stone bowls and basketball are all currently the Department of Sport and Recreation said the improvements would cover a catered for around the purpose-built and the , is due for majority of Borden’s sport and recreational Borden Pavilion,” Mrs Stone said. completion in early 2013. needs. “However, some of the surfaces have Contact: Jessica van der Waag “Football, tennis, cricket, netball, hockey, deteriorated, there is no cricket practice Ph. 9821 3211 Community centre draws praise

Superb facilities for Mount Barker

Mount Barker has opened its upgraded community centre, drawing praise as a fi ne example of the benefi ts of partnerships.

Initiated by the Baptist Church and Foodbank coordinator Hazel Rutter with a supported with Royalties for Regions selection of goods typical funding by the GSDC through the Regional of a $20 emergency relief Grants Scheme, the centre incorporates voucher. the library and provides an offi ce base for a range of community and government agencies.

Centre manager Stephen Shoebridge said the centre had drawn enthusiastic “People don’t expect to fi nd something Youth programs at the centre include responses from users even before the of this size and scope in rural Australia, Homework Clubs for primary and offi cial opening on Friday 18 November. and we are getting a lot of interest and secondary students during the school bookings. term. “We have all the communication capabilities of a Community Resource “We can offer everything from a standard Foodbank operates from the centre, Centre but we are very different from offi ce up to an auditorium or a board opening three days a week to provide most others because of the size and room, and our commercial kitchen will food assistance to people in need. scope of services within the building,” Mr become available early next year,” Mr Shoebridge said. Shoebridge said. Contact: Russell Pritchard ph. 9842 4888

Bus service supports families 5

Teenagers can enjoy summer fun

Every summer for the past ten “Passengers from outlying towns years, the GSDC has given a helping are welcome to join the service if hand to families in inland towns by they can get transport to and from supporting a low-cost, twice-weekly one of the pick-up points along the bus service to the coast. route.

The Holiday Bus enables teenagers “In its ten years of operation, the and accompanied younger children Holiday Bus has helped hundreds to travel to Albany to escape the of young people from inland parts heat and enjoy summer activities. of the Great Southern to enjoy summer activities in Albany,” Ms From January 3 to 26, the Holiday Taylor said. Bus will run on Tuesdays and Thursdays at a cost of $5 per trip. The Holiday Bus has a new look this summer. Cargo bays on the Nichols coach are big enough to allow passengers Each bus run starts and ends in Wagin and Holiday Bus coordinator Karina Taylor to bring BMX bikes, skateboards, body takes in all towns along the Great Southern said the service was available to boards and surfboards. Highway, and also stops at the Kendenup unaccompanied young people aged 14 to Westrail stop and in Mount Barker. 18 years. The service is supported by the GSDC in order to strengthen families and build In Albany, the service drops off and picks “Younger teens and primary school-age sustainable communities in regional up in the city centre and at the Albany children can also travel on the bus if they towns. Leisure and Aquatic Centre, the cinema are accompanied by a responsible adult,” and Middleton Beach. Ms Taylor said. Contact: Karina Taylor ph. 0447 111 230 Fresh life for old bowling club

Cranbrook gains community centre

Cranbrook’s old bowling club is getting a makeover that will create a new community centre with a focus on sustainable agriculture.

With $93,000 of Royalties for Regions Regional Grants Scheme funding through the GSDC, and support from Lotterywest and the , the Gillamii Centre is relocating from its current offi ce to the old bowling club.

The relocation is part of providing a multipurpose community centre that will also house the Shire library and include offi ce space and meeting rooms.

Gillamii Centre Chair Ian Walsh said the development offered a bigger and Gillamii Centre administration offi cer Jenny Adams and Chairman Ian Walsh have plans for better headquarters for the sustainable Cranbrook’s former bowling club. agriculture group, and could evolve into a full community resource centre. a community garden and wildfl ower The Gillamii Centre promotes sustainable displays for tourists.” agriculture through fi eld days, workshops “We want to use the old bowling greens in and other community events. a constructive way,” Mr Walsh said. Cranbrook’s bowling club is now located at the town’s Frederick Square sports Contact Jessica van der Waag “Options include trials of perennials, precinct. Ph. 9821 3211

6 GSDC’s new staff

Two new staff members have Her role is to coordinate joined the GSDC in recent grant processes and months. work with groups on community-based Kati ka Jones is the GSDC’s new projects. fi nance assistant. Her role is to help in the administrati on of Michelle studied fi nancial processes. hospitality and tested the water in journalism before Kati ka spent her early years deciding to take on recent in Southern Cross, where her positi ons. parents were school teachers. Michelle’s most recent She subsequently att ended previous positi on was with Great Southern Grammar and the , where went on to gain a business she was responsible for certi fi cate. organising events such as the Christmas Pageant. Kati ka is an outdoor enthusiast Katika Jones Michelle Dayman who enjoys the beach and, Michelle is Albany born with her family, has undertaken the Canning Michelle Dayman joined the staff of the and bred. Her family are keen water skiers Stock Route and other challenging four- GSDC in November as a Development and Michelle is well known for her skill and wheel drive journeys. Offi cer and Grants Coordinator. daring in the sport. Art tells waterfront story

Interpretive pieces use Town Jetty timbers

Granite, timber and steel are taking shape in a yard near Princess Royal Harbour to Left: Zahra Shirazee, form the latest elements of LandCorp’s Farmer Shaun and Albany Waterfront heritage and town Aaron Cook compete jetty interpretation. to be named Pottiest Personality.

The Albany Waterfront project was Below: Farmer supported for a decade through the Shaun (Nyabing GSDC’s Albany offi ce. local Shaun Fewson) addresses guests at Public art and interpretive elements for the Yongergnow. waterfront were designed by LandCorp’s heritage consultant H and H Architects, and will be installed under the direction of architect David Heaver.

Mr Heaver said the art and interpretation will add to visitors’ enjoyment and appreciation of the history and heritage of the waterfront precinct.

The heritage and art work is based on Construction coordinator Lawrence Cuthbert and project manager David Heaver among the the heritage and jetty interpretation plans boulders, timber and steel elements of the waterfront art and heritage interpretation. prepared for and approved by the Heritage Council of WA as a condition of approving “Messages from and about Noongar Awarded local sculptor Kevin Draper is the foreshore development. people will be displayed in Noongar and preparing a public art work to be placed English. on the breakwater marking its connection Mr Heaver said major interpretive with the former Town Jetty. elements would mark four phases in the “Timbers from the former Town Jetty are 7 waterfront’s history: welcome; sealing and used extensively in other interpretive Public art near the Albany Entertainment whaling; telegraph, railway, steam and installations, which will feature glass Centre, by Audrey and Arif Satar, will port; and settlement. panels mounted on wooden pylons and include QR codes, enabling people with bearers. QR-enabled phones to access sound and “Granite boulders recovered during vision about the precinct. works by the City of Albany will carry “Seats featuring jetty timbers will mark All works are expected to be fi nished in interpretive information from Noongar the route of the rail line used to transport March 2012. people, presented on digitally printed glass goods to and from the jetty,” Mr Heaver panels,” Mr Heaver said. said. Contact: Bruce Manning ph. 9842 4888

Tourism honours for Great Southern

Lowlands business in Hall of Fame

Great Southern tourism enterprises were tourist accommodation was the fi rst Great Sight Tours won Bronze in the Ecotourism prominent in the prestigious Perth Airport Southern-based business to achieve Hall category. Western Australian Tourism Awards, of Fame membership. announced in November. Other Tourism Awards honours for the Taste Great Southern, supported by the Great Southern went to Helen Nash, The Cape Howe Cottages, a regular winner in GSDC, won bronze in the Major Festivals Lake House Denmark, Middleton Beach previous years, was inducted into the WA and Events category. Holiday Park, Pelicans at Denmark and Tourism Awards Hall of Fame. The Rocks, Albany. The Bibbulmun Track won silver in the David and Gaynor Clarke’s Lowlands Tourist Attractions category and Out of Contact: Linsey McFarlane ph. 9842 4888 Pride in Noongar heritage

Cultural centre takes shape in Gnowangerup

A former Baptist minister’s home is being transformed into a focal point for Noongar cultural pride in Gnowangerup.

Restoration work and landscaping is under way to create the Gnowangerup Cultural Heritage Centre, which will hold displays of artworks and cultural artefacts associated with local Noongar heritage and with the Gnowangerup Mission.

The project is supported by the GSDC, Lotterywest, Regional Development and Lands, the Department for Culture and the Arts and the Shire of Gnowangerup.

Four Gnowangerup Noongar workers are Gnowangerup’s Jerome Williams is part of the work crew for the Cultural Heritage Centre project. employed part-time on the development, under the supervision of project manager “Putting Aboriginal cultural heritage on implements from personal collections of Lawrence Cuthbert. display builds self-esteem and makes material found on local farms. people want to return and reconnect to Gnowangerup Aboriginal Corporation where they came from.” Exterior works will be fi nished by early chairman Robbie Miniter said the project in 2012 and the fi t-out of the heritage was having a positive impact on the Displays at the heritage centre will include centre will follow, pending the completion workers. Aboriginal art, along with photos and of cultural research that will help in the mementoes associated with Noongar life. creation of the centre’s displays. “Heritage is signifi cant among all Aboriginal people, including among people who have Mr Miniter said non-Noongar families had Contact: Jessica van der Waag moved away,” Mr Miniter said. offered artifacts such as stone cutting Ph. 9821 3211 8

Albany: Pyrmont House, 110 Serpentine Road, Albany WA 6330 Phone: (08) 9842 4888 Fax: (08) 9842 4828 Email: [email protected] Katanning: 10 Dore Street, PO Box 729, Katanning WA 6317 Phone: (08) 9821 3211 Fax: (08) 9821 3334 Email: [email protected] Web: www.gsdc.wa.gov.au

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