From Rebecca's Desk
Kambarang Edition
Welcome to the Kambarang (October/November) edition of the Albany Update!
Kambarang is the Noongar season which sees an explosion of flowers and colourful, flowering plants, including kangaroo paws and orchids.
Kambarang is a time of year that my family likes to spend outdoors in the warming weather as Summer approaches. We have so many fantastic outdoor attractions right here in Albany, including some fabulous walks which you can find here: 10 Great Walks » Visit Albany (amazingalbany.com.au) I look forward to seeing you out walking!
Prime Minister Visits Albany
Last week, I was delighted to host the Hon Anthony Albanese MP, Prime Minister of Australia, when he visited Albany to make an important announcement about the NBN.
While here, the Prime Minister announced the rollout of a fibre-based National Broadband Network services that will be funded in this federal budget at $2.4 billion to ensure an additional 1.5 million premises can be connected to fibre-based NBN services.
Ten thousand premises in Albany will have access to full fibre NBN to the premises by 2025, including the suburbs of Albany, McKail, Mira Mar, Orana, Spencer Park and Yakamia.
The Prime Minister said: "It's about high-speed broadband, it's about bringing Australia into the 21st century. You need fibre-based broadband in order to deliver the high speeds that are required in order for people to work from home, [and] in order for businesses to flourish and be connected up with their customers and clients around Australia and around the world. It's particularly important for our regions, and that's why 660,000 premises will benefit in regional Australia from this upgrade. We committed to it in the election campaign, and we're delivering it in next week's Budget."
This announcement is of significant benefit to both families and businesses, enabling improved connectivity in an increasingly digital world.
I took the Prime Minister to Espresso One café where he got behind the counter and made a coffee with business owner, Cosi Trichilo, following which he chatted with locals, Elder Oscar Colbung and Asha Bhat outside. It was a whirlwind visit, but an important one for the future of Albany's connectivity.
Youth Winter Sport Celebration
On 7 September I proudly hosted the Inaugural Celebration of Youth in Winter Sport (Hockey, AFL, Mountain Bike, Equestrian and Netball) with my colleague, Minister David Templeman.
We acknowledged the achievements and dedication of young athletes, coaches, managers and umpires at the event. The audience was inspired by guest panellists, Kathryn Slattery, former Olympian and Hockeyroo, and Brett Peake, former AFL player and Albany Sharks Football and Sporting Club league grand finalist player.
Thank you to Minister David Templeman for attending the event and acknowledging our amazing sporting community. The evening was proudly supported by the City of Albany and the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, Great Southern.
Middleton Loop Karen Mural Launch
The culmination of many months of meetings, workshops and painting saw the launch of the Middleton Loop Karen Mural recently. I was delighted to co-sponsor this important community development project with my colleague, the Hon Alannah MacTiernan MLC.
Albany's Karen community faced significant adversity in their journey from Burma to Albany and this mural acknowledges the effort, hard work and commitment they now demonstrate as proud members of the Albany community. A thriving, flourishing, successful community here in Albany is now represented by the mural, which speaks to strength, resilience and the Karen community's hope for the future.
Albany is a community of people committed to one another, who believe in peace and in belonging. We believe, all of us together, in belonging to Albany as a place of diversity, sharing and community. This mural represents that belonging.
I commend and thank the Karen community and the artists who worked with them to develop the mural, for this magnificent contribution to our urban space.
Albany Agricultural Show 2022
Join me, the Hon Alannah MacTiernan MLC and the Albany team at the Albany Agricultural Show on Friday 11 and Saturday 12 November. Home - The Albany Agricultural Society Inc (albanyshow.org.au)
It's the community's big event of the year where the best of Albany's agricultural, business and community services are on show alongside entertainment and plenty of fun!
Visit us at E30 and E31 in the Exhibition Pavilion to go into the megadraw to win fuel vouchers, a kayak or a hamper.
Bring the kids along to enjoy a free show by Jamie the Clown (11am, 12noon and 1pm) and take a free native seedling home with you to plant in the garden. See you there!
RAT Kits Available
If you, your family or your Albany-based community or sporting group require RAT kits, please contact my office on 9841 8799. We have a consignment to distribute to the community on behalf of the WA Government.
Covid-19 Vaccination
To book your family's Covid-19 vaccinations, if you have not already done so, please visit: Albany COVID-19 vaccination community clinic (rollup.wa.gov.au)
Rebecca Stephens MLA | Member for Albany