On the trail of fun and discovery

After a big season earlier this year, the City’s Sunset Veranda pop-up venue has gone on to win a state honour in the Parks & Leisure Australia (WA) Awards of Excellence. The venue picked up the Major Event of the Year Award late last month, which recognised community events that receive third party sponsorship and promote community participation. It was a landmark season for Sunset Veranda at Scarborough Beach with record-breaking crowds enjoying more than 100 events including cabaret, comedy, music and family-friendly activities.

With RiskWest Partner Mark Humphreys (award sponsor) and the City’s Events Officer Maree Licastro

Delivering a month-long calendar of events took a lot of work behind the scenes and I would like to acknowledge everyone involved including City staff, event staff, artists and performers. A big thank-you also to everyone across the community who supported the many and varied shows we had on offer this season. Sunset Veranda 2020 is now in the running for a national Parks & Leisure Award that will be announced later this year.

Talking of events, our annual Tree Trail is back this month to entertain kids and families during the spring school holidays. Dianella Regional Open Space will host the free, fun and interactive activity from Monday 28 September to Friday 9 October 2020. It’s a great way for kids to discover why trees are important, and the vital role they play in our everyday lives.

Eco Faeries entertain kids at a previous Tree Trail event

A Tree Trail map available on the City's website pinpoints the locations of more than 20 trees and nearby signage features lots of interesting tree facts. The 1.9km Tree Trail takes about 90 minutes to complete and is perfect for children aged from 4 to 11 and their families. Each weekday from 9.30am to 12.00noon, kids can also enjoy some fun crafts with the Eco Faeries and learn about Nyoongar culture with Bindi Bindi Dreaming. 

Creative industries have faced a lot of economic challenges during the past few months and to support local artists, we have produced a series of Made in Stirling videos to showcase their talents. The videos offer a rare insight into more than a dozen local artists as they talk about the creative process at the heart of their inspiring works or occupations. The five to six minute videos highlight local creatives including a Nyoongar visual artist, mural artists, sculptors and musicians, so their interviews make for very entertaining viewing.

Nyoongar visual artist Kevin Bynder

A timely way of supporting local creatives during the COVID-19 pandemic, the videos serve to promote their considerable skills to the community and help them connect with new projects. Visit the City’s YouTube channel to check out all the videos in the Made in Stirling playlist.

In exciting news for golfers and the community, the redevelopment of Hamersley Public Golf Course (HPGC) has reached the concept plan stage. The redevelopment includes a major refurbishment of the golf pavilion, carpark upgrades and a new nature playground. During consultation, the City will also seek feedback on the future design of the driving range.

While the course itself is considered one of the best in the state, the existing buildings need a revamp to meet contemporary golf course standards. It’s a considerable project and we want to ensure that the redevelopment meets the needs of the community. To have your say on the concept plan, please visit our Your Say page by Sunday 11 October.

Each year, our Heritage Marker program highlights local buildings, places or landmarks of significance including important Nyoongar sites, schools, churches and homes. We recently unveiled our latest collection of heritage markers in Gwelup, Joondanna, Osborne Park and Tuart Hill. The plaques offer a short history of four prominent churches in the City of Stirling including the Osborne Park Uniting Church, which dates back to 1915. Osborne Ward Crs Lisa Thornton and Adam Spagnolo recently visited the church not far from Main Street to chat with church representatives about the new marker.

Cr Adam Spagnolo and Cr Lisa Thornton with John Laverty and Donald Jodrell at Osborne Park Uniting Church

In the Hamersley Ward, local Crs Chris Hatton and Karlo Perkov visited St Teresa’s Church in Gwelup to see the new marker on the long-standing building incorporated into Mt Laverna Retirement Village. Originally a school when it opened in the late 1930s, the church has gone on to serve locals from surrounding areas including North Beach for decades.

Cr Chris Hatton, Fr Emil Ciecierega and Cr Karlo Perkov at St Teresa's Church

Next time you’re out and about in the city, keep an eye out for heritage markers in a mix of locations such as Clarko Reserve, Mt Flora Museum and Beaufort Street.