Albany Update

From Rebecca's Desk 

Djeran Edition

Welcome to the Djeran edition of the Albany Update!

 

Djeran is the Noongar season when cooler weather begins, with cool nights bringing a break in hot weather. There is an onset of cool days and light breezes. It's a beautiful time of year to be in Albany.

Easter Egg Hunt

Over 200 families and children attended the inaugural Easter Egg Hunt held at Alison Hartman Gardens last week. I love celebrating Easter, not just because I have children to enjoy it with, but because it represents a time when we come together as families and as a community to spend time with loved ones and friends. 

 

A fabulous day was had, with egg hunts, special prizes and lots of amazing Easter outfits. The Easter Bunny visited to provide joy to so many children. I'm pleased to have contributed to the enjoyment of the school holiday period for so many Albany-based families. 

Hospice Spinathon

Together with Alannah MacTiernan's team, my team and I jumped on bikes and rode to raise funds for Albany Hospice at the 2022 Spinathon, held at HazBeanz recently and hosted by Greene Room Personal Training. So many people turned up to ride to support the amazing Hospice that the event was buzzing with positivity. Thank you to everyone who rode and/or donated to this fabulous cause.

International Women's Day

It was an enormous privilege to sponsor and speak as a guest panellist at the Albany Chamber of Commerce & Industry's Women’s Leadership Forum on 8 March, International Women’s Day. 

 

We celebrated the Great Southern region's extraordinary women, and discussed strategies to confront the gender equality gaps that still exist today.

 

Together with Alannah MacTiernan, I proudly sponsored the event and I look forward to continuing the good work of the women who spoke at and attended the forum.  

 

Let’s work together to #breakthebias in Great Southern communities.

Albany Pride

Albany Pride Fair Day held in the Town Square was a huge success with performers, food trucks and stands with information and products on offer. What a magnificent display of diversity in our community! 

 

Afterwards, we hosted a small reception for the Pride organising committee to thank them for their continued representation for the LGBTQIA+ community.

Support for Ukraine

Recently, Members of the #WAParliament showed their support for the people and the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament) of Ukraine, along with members of the Ukrainian community in Western Australia.

 

Many people in WA watching on from afar are asking how they can help the people of Ukraine. Here are some ways you can assist:

Ring Road Update

It was a pleasure to represent Minister for Transport Rita Saffioti MLA at the turning of the sod for the official commencement of construction of the final section of the $175million Albany Ring Road, between Lancaster Road and Princess Royal Drive, alongside Menang Elder, Lester Coyne, and Federal Member for O'Connor, Rick Wilson.

 

The final, 6km connection will complete the 11km Ring Road to the west of Albany, which will create a free flowing, efficient and safe connection for heavy vehicles accessing the Port.

 

This project has been in the pipeline for over 30 years and will take heavy vehicles away from the centre of town, which will relieve congestion and enhance safety outcomes for local and tourist traffic.

 

This is the biggest infrastructure project ever undertaken in the Great Southern region.

It will provide certainty for Albany Port users and open up new economic opportunities to the north and west of the city, while taking heavy vehicles out of residential areas and away from the centre of town.

 

Follow the project here: https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/.../reg.../albany-ring-road/

Covid-19 Vaccination Clinics

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