A celebration of collaboration at Mirrabooka Koort (Heart of Mirrabooka)

A free community celebration, Mirrabooka Koort (Heart of Mirrabooka), will be held this Saturday 15 November to mark the official opening of the upgraded Mirrabooka Town Square.

After engagement with locals, the City started work in April to deliver their vision of a more welcoming town square by introducing public art, bench seating, upgraded lighting, native trees and plants and a wooden deck connected to the new Dome café.
 
The project has been a resounding success, delivering the community's vision of a safer, greener and cooler space – along with some unexpected benefits.
 
The Mirrabooka Town Square upgrade was carried out by Nyoongar Aboriginal-owned Kardan Construction, which won a competitive tender process earlier this year.
 
During the construction phase, Kardan employees engaged with local Aboriginal people experiencing unemployment and homelessness, involving them in the project and taking their advice on board.
 
“Engaging with local mob in Mirrabooka and making sure they had a voice in the project has given them a sense of pride in the result,” Kardan Construction Managing Director Frank Mitchell said.
 
“Two of the mob we met on-site are now employed with us and working on our refurbishment of the Fraser Suites project in East Perth.
 
“This project proves what’s possible when we work together to create safer, stronger neighbourhoods that are welcoming for everyone.”
 
The public art component of the project included 30 street bollards painted by mural artists, Marisa Santosa and Iwan Isnin, with multicultural designs inspired by students at Boyare Primary School.
 
Perth artist Dan Iley created three wood carvings with depictions of native animals and plants to encourage discovery and play.
 
The final public art pieces, installed this week, were printed shade sails featuring designs by local Nyoongar/Yamatji artist Emily Rose, symbolising the connection of country, community and culture.
 
Dome Café Group Managing Director Nigel Oakey said the new Mirrabooka café continued Dome’s long tradition of place-making in local communities.
 
“This stunning adaptive re-use of a 1970s government building and the seamless integration with its surrounds in the public realm is testament to our collaborative partnership with the City on this project,” Mr Oakey said.
 
“In just a short period since opening, from dawn until well after dusk, the café has become a much-loved local ‘community hall’ for locals and visitors alike.”
 
The Mirrabooka Koort community celebration will run from 10.00am – 1.00pm this Saturday, with live acoustic music, a didgeridoo performance, Perth Glory player appearances, art workshops, a free sausage sizzle, games, giveaways and more.
 
“The level of community involvement in this project, including the incredible efforts of Kardan Construction, is something worth celebrating,” City of Stirling Mayor Mark Irwin said.
 
“I look forward to joining our Council, team and community in officially opening the new town square on Saturday and continuing our work to revitalise the centre of Mirrabooka.”