Making new friends, boosting our eco-system and recognising local business

As Mayor, I’m very fortunate to be able to get out and about in the community to help celebrate some of the local achievements and events happening each week. It can be everything from a local school making the finals in a national contest to a small business picking up a top award or youngsters getting caught up in the excitement of their first footy game under lights. Here’s a look at all of these local community milestones and more.

A group of innovative Year 12 students at Dianella Secondary College are aiming for number one spot in a national contest later this month. The pupils have developed an idea for a mobile phone app called Buddi that could help immigrant students find new school friends. Being immigrant students themselves, they know first-hand that making new friends can have its challenges.

It was great to speak to the students about their creative idea for an app and their upcoming visit to Melbourne to represent Western Australia at the iAwards. The group was selected from 200 teams after taking part in a technology start-up program. We wish the students all the best in bringing home the top prize later this month.

Congratulations to Plumbing Bros who won the 'Business of the Year' honour at the Stirling Small Business Awards. It all started when three mates got together to channel their dedication to teamwork, customer service and business operations into a new venture. After just 18 months, the trio expanded to a team of 15 staff that is aiming to become the biggest and best domestic plumbing maintenance company in Perth.

Each year, the Stirling Business Association hosts the awards to recognise the impact small businesses are having in our community and on the local economy. With the City of Stirling a major awards sponsor, it was an honour to be part of the proceedings by presenting the ‘Fledgling Business Award’ to HybridSkys. The budding engineering firm has the exciting job of developing remotely operated drone technology for aerial and sub-sea use. Hats off to all the Stirling Small Business Award winners this year.

Last week, we helped put the spotlight on Homelessness Week and family and domestic violence. Co-ordinated by Homelessness Australia, the annual Homelessness Week initiative works to raise awareness of people experiencing homelessness, the issues they face and the action needed to achieve solutions. While those experiencing homelessness are significantly disadvantaged, it can also have a negative impact on the lives of their loved ones and their community.

Sadly, family and domestic violence is the leading cause of homelessness in Western Australia. If you are experiencing family or domestic violence, the City’s Stirling Women’s Centre can support you. The centre has crisis accommodation and support services available for women and children. Contact the centre on (08) 9205 7375 on weekdays from 7.30am to 10.00pm or from 12.30pm to 9.00pm on weekends/public holidays.

Dozens of dedicated volunteers rolled up their sleeves at the recent community planting day held at South Trigg Beach. All up, about 75 volunteers including local seniors and families with toddlers helped add 3,000 new plants to the area on Saturday 13 July. Important to the local eco-system, the new plants are set to become vital food and shelter for wildlife including bandicoots and blue fairy wrens.

This latest planting day was part of our dedicated revegetation program at South Trigg, which spans the past five years. I’d like to pass on a huge thank you to the volunteers of all ages who have supported the planting events.

In other planting news, Doubleview Ward Crs Elizabeth Re and Stephanie Proud helped Yuluma Primary School students add dozens of trees to school verges in Innaloo. About 25 students from Year 3 did a fantastic job planting 35 new trees including some Tuarts. A big part of the fun for the kids was finding names for the trees, which included Mr Patel and Curly. After all the planting was done, the Crs handed out participation certificates to a bunch of very proud students.

It was a thrilling time for young players at the Carine Junior Football Club late last month when they took part in their first Auskick Under Lights. As well as all the footy action on the field, there was plenty of entertainment for children on the sidelines. Thank you to the club for giving myself and Hamersley Ward Cr Karlo Perkov such a warm welcome at the event. Like so many local clubs, it comes down to the brilliant efforts of volunteers, club officials and helpers who create such great opportunities for local kids.