In the community

RU OK Planting Day in Jarrahdale

Getting together with more than 80 early birds to plant 1000 seedlings in Jarrahdale was an invigorating way to spend the morning at Landcare SJ's ‘RUOK? Day’ Community Planting and Morning Tea.

While there was plenty of work to be done, these events always feel like a social occasion, with familiar faces and newcomers rubbing shoulders, with the shared goal of pitching in and doing something for the community.

It was good to catch up again with Bindjareb man George Walley, who welcomed us all in front of the Mill Manager’s house and told us a bit about his life growing up in the area, before sending us onto the site along Gooralong Brook to begin planting, to the warm sounds of his didgeridoo.

Many hands made light work of the project, and after scrubbing off the dirt, everybody gathered for a delicious morning tea. That was when the introductions and conversations really began to flow, as we all munched away under the bright yellow RUOK? banners.

Landcare SJ Executive Officer Steve McCabe said it was great to see the community come together. 

"The sense of togetherness we experienced at the ‘RUOK? Day’ was remarkable. Today, we showed that simple gestures of kindness can create a ripple effect of positivity in our society," he said.

Bus shelter looks a beauty

What a result!

After one too many times seeing the bus shelter near my office looking unkempt from vandalism and graffiti, I asked the SJ Community Men's Shed if they would be willing to take over its maintenance.

As usual, Ray and the team were happy to help, and thanks to their work and a fresh lick of paint, we now have a much nicer, brighter bus shelter for its users and for those travelling by.

Thanks to the Men's Shed crew and the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale for their willingness to do things a bit differently, and to Down Under Signs for the great sign.

Father’s Day in Roleystone

Father’s Day is one of one of my favourite days of the year.

There are just so many fantastic dads I get to work with on a daily basis, who's dedication to their kids and families makes this community a better place for us all, today and for the future.

In the first weekend of September I did my best, despite the weather, to give something back to these local role models, with a Father's Day BBQ at the Roleystone Neighbourhood Family Centre.

Those who could make it down were treated with a classic car display, parenting resources, free, professional Father's Day portraits and, of course, a sausage sizzle. I can't think of a better way to spend a rainy afternoon, and for all those who couldn't make it - a belated Happy Father's Day!

Thank you to Roleystone Neighbourhood Family Centre, Byford Classic Car Club, The Fathering Project and Richard Polden Photography for their invaluable support.

Senior’s mental health workshop

Around 20 local seniors joined Stuart McLellan from Olive Branch WA and myself at the Byford & Districts Country Club in late August, when I hosted a free workshop on mental wellness for seniors.

The two-hour workshop, specifically tailored for seniors, addressed mental well-being and provided strategies for managing crises and understanding emotions for those in attendance.

Byford & Districts Country Club was the perfect setting for the event, and attendees enjoyed socialising with one another and the workshop presenters over morning tea once the session concluded.

Olive Branch WA is an NDIS provider and bespoke counselling, mental health, education and business consulting service in the Peel region, available for consultation every Thursday from 10am – 2.30pm at the Serpentine Jarrahdale Community Resource Centre in Mundijong.

Calling all classics

The Byford Classic Car Club had our engines revving over the Kings Birthday long weekend, at their Classic Meet & Greet at the Byford & Districts Country Club.

Seeing a carpark full of freshly waxed classics gleaming in the morning sun is a pretty great way to start the day, and the $5 brekky burgers made it even better. If only I held onto my EH, HGs and HRs from back in the day (can you tell I’m a Holden man?) I might have put them on display along with the 100 or so vehicles that were there.

Thanks to the Byford Classic Car Club and members for bringing us into your world for a day, and for Byford & Districts Country Club for hosting the event. Byford Classic Car Club is always keen to welcome new members, so if you’d like to know more, shoot them an email at byfordclassiccarclub@gmail.com

WA All Abilities players on the national stage

At the beginning of October I was fortunate enough to join the 16 players travelling to Queensland for the 2023 AFL Inclusion National Carnival, as they were presented with their Black Swan jumpers at WA Football HQ in Tuart Hill.

The players were drawn from the WA All Abilities Football competition, selected for the Rise Inclusion Football Academy, with the final 16 determined over a number of training and playing sessions.

Congratulations to Kelmscott Bulldogs All Abilities Footy Club players Tim Davies for making the squad, Vinnie Fraser for his selection as a reserve, as well as Jaxon Hay and Lee Maas for their excellent performances throughout the academy.

Thank you to Dr. Tony Buti MLA for his sponsorship of Bulldogs players, as well as Hannah Beazley MLA and Margaret Quirk MLA for sponsoring players from their electorates.

The Elizabethan Village in Bedfordale contains a replica of which famous British playwright’s birthplace?