From Rebecca's Desk 

Birak Edition

Welcome to the Birak (January) edition of the Albany Update!

My office has re-opened after the festive break. I hope you and your loved ones had a wonderful Christmas, and I wish you all the best for 2024.  

The Noongar season Birak is represented by the colour red, symbolising heat, sun and fire. During Birak, rain eases and the warm weather starts to take hold. Traditionally, this was the fire season. An almost clockwork style of easterly winds in the morning and sea breezes in the afternoon meant that this was burning time of the year for Noongar people and they would burn the country in mosaic patterns. There are several reasons for this, including fuel reduction, increasing the grazing pastures for animals, to aid seed germination and to make it easier to move across the country.

Bushfire Season

I take this opportunity to remind you that it is bushfire season. Currently, over 90 per cent of WA is bushfire prone, and bushfires can start at any time. Creating a bushfire plan can take just 15 minutes and is the best way to keep you and your household safe. Visit here:  mybushfireplan.wa.gov.au to make your plan.

Albany Agricultural Show

We had great couple of days at the Albany Agricultural Show in November 2023. On the Friday, our stand was very well attended, with Jamie the Clown entertaining children with magic, jokes and balloon twisting.  We gave away delicious red apples from AVEG and I really enjoyed chatting with everyone who visited our stand and entered our raffle.  

With the unexpected closure of the Exhibition Pavillion on Saturday, we packed up and relocated to the Sheep Pavillion where Kate from The Darcy Effect was kind enough to make space for Jamie and my team. There, we enjoyed delicious food on offer from local businesses, a wonderful fashion parade, and sheep judging as I hosted the Hon Jackie Jarvis MLC, Minister for Agriculture and Food; Forestry; Small Business, who was in Albany for the day, circulating the grounds of the Show and talking to constituents and businesses.  

Christmas Pageant 2023

Thank you to the Albany Men's Shed, the members of which created our wonderful float for the Christmas Pageant this year. The theme of the float was 'It's OK not to be OK at Christmas' and the float featured a prominent blue tree. Visit: Home - Blue Tree Project.  

I love this uniquely Albany event and it was wonderful to see so many smiling faces on both sides of York Street. I congratulate all the winners of the Best Float competition.  

Albany's New Mayor 

Congratulations to our new Mayor, Greg Stocks, who was sworn in as the Mayor of Albany last year.  I have known Greg for many years. He was a teacher at Albany Senior High School and we worked together at the City of Albany.  

Following the retirement of former Mayor, Dennis Wellington, I took the opportunity to recognise his contribution and commitment to the role of Mayor in a 90-second statement to the Parliament of Western Australia. I am sure Dennis is enjoying a thoroughly well-earned retirement.  

80s Quiz Night

I held a very successful 80s-themed quiz night at the Middleton Beach Bowling Club in November.  We sold 21 tables and there were some incredible 1980s outfits on display!

Please keep in touch with my office with any queries that you may have. I look forward to a fabulous 2024 representing Albany.

Rebecca Stephens MLA | Member for Albany