Welcoming new citizens and recognising those who give back to our community

It was fantastic to welcome so many new citizens at our Australia Day citizenship ceremony this year. The morning was an opportunity to embrace the opportunities available as a contemporary, multicultural, diverse and democratic nation and commemorate and reflect upon what it means to be Australian.

It also was also a chance to recognise those that give back to our community with the presentation of the Australia Day WA Community Citizen of the Year Awards. 

Throughout the day, an estimated 90,000 people visited the City of South Perth's Celebration Zone on Sir James Mitchell Park and an additional 60,000 people lined South Perth foreshore to enjoy the activities and watch the fabulous Skyworks.

At the City's Morning Ceremony Her Excellency, Governor Kerry Sanderson was in attendance. Governor Sanderson has been attending the City's Citizenship Ceremonies since 2015. As she is soon to finish her term as WA Governor I wanted to mention one of the legacies I believe she will leave behind.  

The WA Parks Foundation was launched as the initiative of our Governor in 2016.  From the organisation's Annual Report, the Governor wrote - "A group of individuals have worked with me to establish the WA Parks Foundation due to our own enjoyment of spending time in nature, the knowledge that such experiences have been shown to be good for people's physical and mental health, our deep concern for the environment, and an understanding of how important natural attractions are to eco-tourism and regional economies."

I was impressed to read that the WA Parks Foundation will begin operations on Parks in and around Perth, where the greatest numbers of visits are made and are therefore under the greatest pressure. The Swan Canning Riverpark River Journey Project is highlighted as one of the priorities, which is exciting for those who live there.

The Marli Riverpark: An Interpretation Plan for the Swan and Canning Riverpark (2014) acknowledges that  the Swan River Trust as well as Local Government Authorities, other agencies, business and community groups all play vital roles in the interpretation of the riverscape which offers many collaborative opportunities.

As custodians of the South Perth foreshore, it is vital for the City to ensure this much loved reserve continues to be sustainably managed. The City's South Perth Foreshore Strategy and Management Plan (SPF Plan) aims to balance the competing demands for use, development and management of this precious regional reserve with the need to conserve and enhance a functional healthy river and foreshore environment. 

On Australia Day a number of the City of South Perth's local residents were acknowledged for their contributions to the community in the national Australia Day 2018 Honours List. Those honoured include;

• Mr John Collins OAM (former City of South Perth Mayor) from Salter Point for his service to the community of Manning and to local government
• Mr Geoffrey Churack AM from South Perth for significant service to the community through philanthropic support for medical research, education and sporting groups and to the retail automotive sector
• The Hon Nicholas David Griffiths OAM from Manning for service to the people and Parliament of Western Australia
• Ms Pauline Iles OAM for South Perth for service to aged care
• Mr James Savundra OAM from South Perth for service to medicine in the fields of plastic and reconstructive surgery
• Mr Kelly John Gillen AFSM from Como, an Australian Fire Service Medal recipient. The medal is awarded to members for outstanding service. 

Our City's Australia Day event is supported by valuable members of our community - individuals and organisations who make this wonderful annual event possible, many of whom are volunteers. I extend my sincere thanks to each of you, as without your tireless work this event would not take place each year. View all the photos from the City's Australia Day events here.