ISSUE 38 Simon Baker film to boost Denmark TV star’s feature film of Tim Winton novel Funding secured through the GSDC helped to clinch a decision to produce a feature film of Tim Winton’s award-winning novel Breath in the Great Southern. Australian actor and star of The Mentalist Simon Baker visited Denmark on Friday 10 July for the announcement of the project. The production of Breath is supported by $1.5 million in State Government Royalties for Regions funding administered through the GSDC and $800,000 through ScreenWest. Mr Baker will star in and direct the film, and said he was familiar with the book. A location-scouting tour of the South West included a visit to Denmark, and Mr Baker said he and Australian producer Jamie Hilton immediately felt it was the right place to make the film. Culture and Arts Minister John Day (left), actor and director Simon Baker (centre) and Regional Development Minister Terry Redman celebrate “It was just the feel of the place and the the announcement of the Great Southern sense of community environment that rung production of the feature film Breath. out and felt special,” Mr Baker said. “We knew right there. We just looked at each “ScreenWest and the Great Southern other and we knew that we had to somehow Development Commission have worked inside this issue: try to make it work in this particular area.” closely with the film’s producers to sell the State’s attributes as a premier filming Mr Baker said he felt honoured that the destination,” Mr Day said. Minister’s Budget overview ............. 2 ‘powers that be’ had supported the intention Plan for Katanning workforce .......... 2 to come to the Great Southern to make the Breath is set in and around the fictional town film. of Sawyer, which is based on Denmark. The Nine projects gain RGS funds ......... 3 neighbouring town is called Angelus, which is Medallist’s work on show ................ 3 Regional Development Minister Terry Redman based on Albany and is a fictional location in and Culture and the Arts Minister John Day many works by Tim Winton. Young artists honour Anzacs ........... 4 joined Mr Baker for the announcement. Investors explore potential .............. 4 Breath tells the story of two teenagers Focus on ancient fish traps ............. 5 Mr Redman said the production would who are befriended by an older surfer and generate significant economic activity for the introduced to risks and challenges that Noongar stories on the record ........ 5 Great Southern. significantly change their lives. Pitch for rally visitors ........................ 6 “Breath will create local jobs, directly benefit The production team includes Oscar- and Classic cars take to the streets ....... 6 the local economy and showcase the Great Emmy-winning US producer Mark Johnson Key conference for region ................ 7 Southern to the world,” Mr Redman said. (Breaking Bad, The Notebook, Rainman) and Australian producer Jamie Hilton of See Downhill riders thrill crowds ............ 7 Mr Day said the production would employ Pictures (The Little Death, The Waiting City, Regional businesses shine .............. 7 West Australian film professionals and crew, Backtrack). along with about 150 Great Southern locals Happy times for students ................ 8 as actors, extras and surfing doubles. Contact: Bruce Manning, ph. 9842 4888 Minister gives Budget overview Regional issues canvassed Business and community leaders from throughout the region attended a GSDC and Albany Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Friday 15 May to hear details of the 2015-2016 State Budget from Regional Development Minister Terry Regional Development Redman. Minister Terry Redman (centre) with Albany Chamber of Commerce Mr Redman gave an overview of the and Industry president budget and explained specific issues that Rod Hedderwick (left) would affect the Great Southern. and GSDC Chairman Peter Rundle. “We’ve seen in this term one of the most unprecedented impacts on the State budget that we’ve ever seen in Western Australia,” Mr Redman said. “Iron ore royalties have dropped off significantly and at the same time there’s The audience was told that exports were such as the Growing Our South Fund, the a significant drop in the GST, so that makes growing strongly and business investment Regional Telecommunications Project and it a huge challenge.” was peaking. the Seizing the Opportunity in Agriculture program. Mr Redman said the key elements of the The Government had accepted that there budget included reform and efficiencies in would be a budget deficit over the medium Initiatives for 2015-16 in the region include the public sector and aiming for a minimal term but it forecast a return to surplus by a regional tourism marketing campaign, impact on households and businesses. 2017-2018. new visitor infrastructure at Torndirrup National Park and development planning He said the Government also aimed to Mr Redman said the Great Southern for the long-vacant Middleton Beach hotel would benefit from the Government’s site. 2 reduce debt through asset sales and to create jobs through an asset investment State-wide programs, and there would be program. further gains through regional programs Contact: Bruce Manning, ph. 9842 4888 Plan for Katanning workforce Priority actions identified Katanning has a new plan that identifies its provision of employment opportunities for Plan (launched in 2013) in recognition current and projected needs for workforce people with disabilities. of Katanning’s status as a SuperTown development and skills. and regional centre in the central Great Actions include establishing a steering Southern. The Katanning Workforce Development committee for the Agrifood Precinct Plan was launched by Department of project and initiating an employment pact GSDC Regional Manager Industry Training and Workforce Development aimed at achieving the same workforce and Infrastructure Russell Pritchard Director General Dr Ruth Shean on participation rate for Katanning’s said the Katanning plan fitted into the Thursday 11 June in Katanning. Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal population. Commission’s overarching strategic approach to the development of the The document sets out ten practical Dr Shean acknowledged the contribution Great Southern, guided by the Great and achievable priority actions to to the project by the Great Southern Southern Regional Investment Blueprint. address issues such as low labour force Workforce Development Alliance, chaired Mr Pritchard said that achieving significant participation and high unemployment by the GSDC. She said producing a strategic aims always came down to the rates among Aboriginal people, access to workforce development plan for Katanning engagement of local people. education, training and migrant settlement was set as a priority action under the services, availability of childcare, and Great Southern Workforce Development Contact: Russell Pritchard, ph. 9842 4888 Nine projects gain RGS funds Program supports initiatives across the region Nine projects worth a total of $12 million million of Royalties for Regions funding,” Mount Barker’s saleyards will be improved will receive funds through the GSDC’s Mr Rundle said. by roofing a section of the stock holding Regional Grants Scheme (RGS), bringing pens, for which $200,000 in RGS funds more than a million dollars of State “In this round of the RGS, there is was allocated in a $700,500 project. Government Royalties for Regions support support for continued development in into the Great Southern. the agriculture sector, enhancement of Perth International Arts Festival was community and sporting facilities, and allocated $43,480 to support the 2016 Regional Development Minister Terry growth of tourism and major events. Great Southern Festival, and the City of Redman announced the successful grants Albany was allocated $20,001 to support on Thursday 4 June. Mr Redman said “As the projects are undertaken and its hosting of the 2015 Clipper Round the the RGS provided opportunities for local completed, they will enhance the lives World yacht race. communities to improve and develop of regional residents and build the Great infrastructure and community services. Southern economy,” Mr Rundle said. With the support of a $27,630 RGS grant, Princess Royal Sailing Club will The $1.066 million Great Southern grants The Shire of Gnowangerup’s $3.16 million build accessible boat storage and training were part of a $9.024 million program redevelopment of its swimming pool facilities to improve its sailing programs supporting 86 projects across Western gained a $200,000 RGS grant that will for juniors, school groups and people with Australia’s nine regions. support the landscaping, car parking and disabilities. access road components of the project. GSDC Chairman Peter Rundle said the Australia’s South West will undertake grants for the Great Southern would A $3 million upgrade of the Tambellup a $175,000 capacity building program continue the Commission’s work Sports Pavilion attracted an RGS grant throughout the Great Southern, supported of promoting economic and social of $200,000 and the Denmark Riverside by $25,000 in RGS funds, to enhance development in the region. Club secured a $200,000 grant to support growth in tourism. its $2.57 million project to replace the “This is the fourth round of the Great existing bowling club building. The Shire of Details of the RGS grants are on the GSDC Southern Regional Grants Scheme, which Kent is building a $1.8 million community website at www.gsdc.wa.gov.au. has supported more than a hundred hub at Nyabing, which was allocated projects since 2009 with about $12 $150,000 in RGS funding. Contact: Christine Grogan, ph. 9842 4888 3 Medallist’s work on show Dieback fight in focus A demonstration of the Phytofighter 3000 Places are limited and people wanting to dieback boot cleaning station will feature attend are invited to register by email to at the biennial GSDC Medal field day on [email protected] or contact Monday 14 September.