John McGrath honoured

The City of South Perth will name the recently completed Ernest Johnson Reserve (EJ) community facility buildings after the long-serving Member for South Perth, John McGrath MLA.

Known as the John McGrath Pavilion and John McGrath Hall these buildings on EJ Reserve recognise his service and commitment to the local community.

Mr McGrath has lived in the City of South Perth for 25 years. Elected into the Western Australian Legislative Assembly as the Member for South Perth in 2005, he was re-elected in the 2008, 2013 and 2017 election. 

A passionate and highly involved community member, Mr McGrath is patron and supporter of numerous sporting clubs including Manning Memorial Bowling Club, Hensman Park Tennis Club, South Perth Bowling Club, Como Bowling Club, South Perth Junior Football Club, Manning Rippers Football Club, Royal Perth Golf Club Charity Day events and the South Perth Cricket Club, as well as Volleyball WA and East Fremantle Football Club.

Mr McGrath is a board member of the South Perth Hospital and co-patron of the South Perth Bowling Club; sponsor and former fundraising board member of The Esther Foundation; a member of South Perth Historical Society; honorary member Mill Point and Como Rotary Clubs; patron of Manning Men’s Shed; and sponsor of the Amanda Young Foundation.

Prior to entering parliament, John was a journalist at West Australian Newspapers. During his career at The West he became a senior journalist, sports editor, racing editor and chief football writer and covered major sporting events including the Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games.

“Mr McGrath has made a significant contribution to our City as the Member for South Perth. The naming of the John McGrath Pavilion and Hall is a fitting tribute to a man who has worked tirelessly representing the local community over many years. He is a man with incredible passion for the City and we have been the beneficiary of his advocacy in many areas,” City of South Perth Mayor, Sue Doherty said.

“With the first stage of this major project now complete, local groups and sporting clubs will move into their new state of the art community facilities throughout January and February this year – a truly exciting period in the history of EJ Reserve.”

Located in South Perth, bounded by South Terrace, Sandgate Street, and Hensman Street, EJ Reserve and its associated buildings are being redeveloped to better accommodate the needs of our local and broader community. The development and implementation of a Masterplan for EJ Reserve was a key initiative in the City’s Strategic Community Plan and Corporate Plan, which incorporated an extensive period of consultation. 

The project budget has been set at $10.5 million in the City’s Long Term Strategic Financial Plan 2013-2023, with allocations of $7.5 million in 2016/2017 and $3 million during 2017/2018. 

In 2015, the City was successful in securing funding of $632,000 from the Department of Sport and Recreation, which contributed towards the project.

With stage one of the redevelopment now complete, the second stage will commence in January 2018 and will involve demolition of the old buildings; works on the oval; and construction of sports facilities, playgrounds and social areas. The project is anticipated to be completed in mid-2018.

EJ Reserve’s current user groups are local resident not-for-profit sporting clubs, community groups, local residents and the wider community.  

Enhanced facilities will be provided for:

• South Perth Junior Football Club
• South Perth Cricket Club
• South Perth Playgroup
• Western Australia Football Commission Umpires
• South Perth sub-branch of the Returned & Services League (currently located in Angelo Street, South Perth)
• Girl Guides South Perth
• Rotary Club of South Perth Burswood
• Como Bowling and Recreation Club
• South Perth Little Athletics Club
• South Perth Junior Cricket Club
• Local residents and passive users of the EJ reserve.

The John McGrath Pavilion and Hall will be officially opened on 1 March 2018.