Preston Beach – Lake Clifton – Waroona – Hamel – Wagerup
WORDS | Kelly Nottle, Shire of Waroona
IMAGES | Visit Mandurah and Russell Ord Photography
Situated in the South West of Western Australia in the Peel region and just over an hour’s drive south of Perth, Waroona is the gateway to the South and South-East stretching from the beautiful beaches of Preston Beach, coastal plains of Lake Clifton, farmlands, town centre, the hamlet of Hamel to the hills of the Darling Scarp, covering a total area of 835km².
The Shire is home to many natural attractions, diverse environments and landscapes offering unique experiences for locals and tourists alike.
From the pristine waters of Lake Navarino and Drakesbrook Weir, Preston Beach for the ultimate fishing experience to nature experiences within Lane Pool Reserve and Yalgorup National Park — home to the region’s famous Thrombolites, there are plenty of choices! Walking trails include the heritage art poles, the Waterous Loop, Munda Biddi Trail and the Hamel Wetlands Trail.
For local artworks, there is Drakesbrook Place, Centennial Park (memorial of the Old Drakesbrook School), and the Bush Poles and Postie Poles at Preston Beach. Waroona also boasts a variety of local industries including dairy, tourism, vegetables, grapes, viticulture, forestry, beef, and sheep, engineering, earthmoving and mining; all contributing to the diverse needs of the community as residents within the Shire.
Waroona West Bush Fire Brigade building
Currently the brigade is operated from a privately owned shed. Following the 2016 Waroona Yarloop fire, the membership of the brigade has grown to such an extent that the current facility arrangements are no longer sustainable.
The Shire of Waroona received a $506,000 grant from the Department of Fire and Emergency Services to construct a new facility for the Waroona West Bush Fire Brigade on Coronation Road. The land on which the facility will be constructed was generously donated by a local farmer and is forecast for completion within the 2019–20 financial year.
The new facility for the Waroona West Bush Fire Brigade will provide a location for:
- Meetings of the brigade
- High-level bushfire response training for volunteer firefighters
- Storage of brigade vehicles and Equipment Waroona
Horticulture Trainee
The Shire of Waroona is in its second year of employing a horticulture trainee through SMYL Community College targeted and engaging young indigenous adults who have just completed high school and looking to transition into the horticultural industry. The Shire’s participation in this program commenced in 2017 with Garreth Joss joining the Parks and Gardens team. Gareth successfully obtained his Certificate III in Horticulture and has since moved onto a FIFO role in northern WA. Replacing Garreth in 2018–19 is Waroona local, Shanelle Woods-Farmer.
Shanelle comes from an active sporting background and has accepted the challenge of the traineeship. She has been able to work with the Shire’s Parks and Gardens crew where the roles vary from day to day, ranging from the maintenance of parks and gardens to projects such as laying down new turf at the Waroona Oval and installation of new reticulation at Centennial Park. As part of the traineeship, Shanelle provided input to the design and installation of the new garden beds at both the Library and Visitor Centre.
Shanelle has learnt an enormous variety of new skills, from cultivating plant cuttings to operating a wide range of horticulture equipment. When asked about her experience at the Shire of Waroona, Shanelle said, “I have enjoyed my time at the Shire and have really enjoyed the maintaining of the parks around town. I have found that the work required has been challenging at times, but the support provided by my peers and lecturer has been a great help”.
Shanelle said the feedback from the community in regards to the work she has been involved in, has been really encouraging and she would encourage other Waroona youth to take on this opportunity if given the chance. Shanelle completed the traineeship in September, achieving a Certificate III in Horticulture. The Shire wishes Shanelle all the very best in her future endeavours and welcomes Tremayne Indich as he now embarks on the traineeship. The positive traineeship initiative by Shire of Waroona will continue in the 2019–20 financial year.
Quambie Park
Quambie Park in Waroona have been providing residential Aged Care, Independent living units and Home Care services for more than 30 years. The past couple of years have been exciting times for Quambie Park with the recent completion of nine new modern, two bedroom independent living units, increasing capacity for assisted living in the local area and enabling aging members to stay in the community they know and love.
The addition of a community hub built at the front of the centre will be open to all aged community members providing various activities to promote inclusion and address isolation. The new build was funded through the Federal Government’s Building Better Regions Fund and State funding.
MORE INFORMATION
For further Information visit the Waroona Shire website www.waroona.wa.gov.au.
This article was first published in the Peel Magazine, Spring/Summer – vol 5.2 – to read and download the full magazine, click here.