Premier Mark McGowan and Tourism Minister Paul Papalia today announced there would be an additional ferry service offered to Rottnest Island visitors from November this year.
Captain Cook Cruises will be running the service from the island's busiest ferry port - Fremantle. The Rottnest Island Authority is always looking for ways to improve access to Rottnest Island and encourage business competition that benefits visitors. A total of 645,000 people visited Rottnest Island in 2016-17, a six per cent increase in visitation from the previous year. The State Government hopes the new ferry service will help build on those numbers. Captain Cook Cruises will join Rottnest Express and Rottnest Fast Ferries in providing ferry services for visitors to the island. Comments attributed to Premier Mark McGowan: "This new ferry service gives visitors more opportunities to experience the island, which is great news for the local businesses. "There will not only be 20 new jobs created to operate the ferry service, but there will also be a multiplier effect with the creation of jobs on the island as businesses continue to grow from increased visitation. "We hope the additional service will put downward pressure on the price of a trip to Rottnest, making it more affordable, particularly for families and tourists who wish to enjoy a holiday on the island." Comments attributed to Tourism Minister Paul Papalia: "If we want to keep increasing visitation numbers, it is necessary to increase accessibility and services to the island. "The more people that visit Rottnest Island, the more dollars spent in local businesses both on the island and the surrounding ports. "We need to ensure Rottnest Island remains competitive, relevant and continues to be a must-visit tourism destination." A tremendous opportunity awaits the East Kimberley region with the election of a new council in October 2017.
The Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley was suspended by the previous Minister for Local Government in October 2016, and is currently under the administration of Commissioner Ron Yuryevich. Local Government Minister David Templeman is in Kununurra today, meeting with community members, business representatives and administrators to encourage local community leaders to nominate for council. Comments attributed to Local Government Minister David Templeman: "This is a magnificent part of the world and offers such potential for economic development and tourism. "Electing a quality, representative local government will help the region move forward and capitalise on these world-class assets. "I urge the community to work together, help build resilience in their local government and create a vision for the East Kimberley. "Local member Josie Farrer has been working hard to effect change and encouraging local champions to put their names forward. "At a State level, I have been working on a review of the Local Government Act that will help create an environment that encourages quality representation at the local level. "I have also asked the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries to work with the community on training and supporting the election process. "It's time for the local community to stand up and recognise that a strong local government is critical for the East Kimberley to achieve its potential." Comments attributed to Kimberley MLA Josie Farrer: "We have some fantastic people living in the East Kimberley region and I will be encouraging them to put their names forward for election. "This represents a fresh start for the community and a real opportunity for progress." Youth Minister Peter Tinley is leading the charge in calling for a creative and inspirational young Western Australian to head WA Youth Week (formerly National Youth Week) celebrations in 2018.
Nominations are now open for the WA Youth Week Ambassador, an exciting opportunity for a young person looking to inspire others and strengthen their leadership skills at a State level. The successful applicant will chair the youth week planning committee and help guide the planning and delivery of the week's events across the State. The ambassador will work with the committee, Propel Youth Arts and the Department of Communities to promote, support and develop creative ideas to get more young people involved in WA Youth Week. The young person will also have the opportunity to assess WA Youth Week grant applications, attend events as required and travel to attend the regional launch of Youth Week celebrations. Eligible candidates must be aged between 18 and 25 years and be accessible and available for meetings and media activities relating to Youth Week in 2018. Applications are available at https://www.dlgc.wa.gov.au/CommunityInitiatives/Pages/WA-Youth-Week-2018.aspx and must be received by 5pm on Friday, August 18, 2017. Comments attributed to Youth Minister Peter Tinley: "Youth Week is a major event on the youth calendar which celebrates the contributions of young people to the community and also gives them a forum to express their ideas and raise issues of importance. "The McGowan Government is pleased to support the role of the youth ambassador who will play a lead role in this important week and help inform and influence Youth Week events. "We urge young, creative people who are ready to take the next step and keen to develop their organisational and leadership skills to step up and take advantage of this exciting opportunity." Premier Mark McGowan has written to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull requesting that from next year, July 23 will be known across the nation as Pozieres Day, to commemorate one of the nation's most tragic battles.
The Battle of Pozieres commenced on July 23, 1916 at the French village of Pozieres during the First World War, as part of the Battle of Somme. It recorded an enormous loss of Australian lives in a single military battle, with 23,000 Australian casualties, including nearly 7,000 young soldiers killed over a seven-week period. To put the battle into perspective, the eight-month battle at Gallipoli claimed 26,000 Australian casualties, including more than 8,000 soldiers killed. The Australian historian Charles Bean wrote that the site of the Battle of Pozieres was 'more densely sown with Australian sacrifice than any other place on earth'. Official recognition of Pozieres Day will formally acknowledge the sacrifices of those involved and ensure the battle does not disappear from public consciousness. Comments attributed to Premier Mark McGowan: "The events that occurred in Pozieres in 1916 form a crucial part of our nation's identity and official recognition of the Battle of Pozieres is long overdue. "It is important we have a national day to recognise the enormous sacrifice made by thousands of young Australians, including many Western Australians." Comments attributed to Veterans Issues Minister Peter Tinley: "The McGowan Government is keen to ensure that the enormous loss of Australian lives in a single military engagement is remembered appropriately and the legacy of that sacrifice lives on. "Pozieres should remain in our collective consciousness and should be commemorated on July 23 each year along with other national days of military significance such as Anzac Day, Remembrance Day and Long Tan Day, now known as Vietnam Veterans Day. "Official recognition of Pozieres Day would be a fitting tribute and we invite the community to contribute ideas on how best to commemorate Pozieres Day." Technologies to protect online banking, prevent mine truck accidents and harness solar energy through windows are among the innovations named as semi-finalists for this year's WA Innovator of the Year program.
Sixteen companies have been short-listed for the annual awards, which recognise the exceptional local and regional innovators behind the newest products, technologies, processes and services developed in Western Australia. Winners will share in a prize pool of $145,000 to help commercialise their innovations, and the program also links industry and academia through research collaboration. Former winners have gone on to extraordinary achievements, such as Professors Sue Fletcher and Steve Wilton who won the overall award in 2012 for their gene-patch drug treatment for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Last year, the groundbreaking drug received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration, and now the two researchers are working on treatments for nearly 50 more rare diseases. Finalists will be announced next month ahead of the awards ceremony in November. For more information, visit http://www.jtsi.wa.gov.au/wa-ioty Comments attributed to Acting Innovation and ICT Minister Simone McGurk: "The McGowan Government is committed to diversifying the State's economy to create new local jobs, and innovation plays an essential role in delivering on this commitment. "For the first time, all semi-finalists will receive professional assistance and mentoring to help foster their innovations - something which has only been offered to finalists in previous years. "I would like to congratulate all the semi-finalists on their achievements, and look forward to the many benefits their innovations will bring for WA." Thursday, 20 July 2017
The review was commissioned by the Director General of Health earlier this year, and undertaken by UK expert Professor Hugo Mascie-Taylor. Professor Mascie-Taylor is Executive Medical Director EY UK and Ireland; former Medical Director of the NHS Confederation; Medical Director of Monitor; Executive Medical Director Leeds Teaching Hospitals; and Trust Special Administrator of Mid-Staffordshire Foundation Trust. The review was commissioned in recognition of the need for continuous improvement in safety and quality, and of the need for assurance processes to be safeguarded in times of system change. The Department of Health, and Health Service Providers, will work together to address all recommendations of the review over the coming 12 to 18 months. The 'Review of safety and quality in the WA health system' report is available at http://www.health.wa.gov.au Comments attributed to Health and Mental Health Minister Roger Cook: "WA has a good record of health safety and quality, but we must constantly strive to deliver the best outcomes for our patients and the community. "Health is operating in an era of significant change as a result of advances in technology and research, and our Sustainable Health Review - announced last month - will deliver a patient first, innovative and sustainable health system for all Western Australians. "The community can be assured that patient safety is the highest priority as we aim to make a good system great." Comments attributed to Director General of Health Dr D J Russell-Weisz: "Delivering safe and high quality care is a central and critical focus of the Western Australian health system - now and into the future. "Professor Mascie-Taylor has made several recommendations for the system to build on its successes based on sound principles of clinical governance. "These include clear roles; responsibilities; accountabilities at all levels; a culture of transparency; a willingness to benchmark and learn from experiences locally, nationally and internationally; and a clear patient and community focus at all times." 20/07/2017 6:05 AM
More than 100 stakeholders will take part in a program covering topics such as economic participation of older adults, ageism, technology and diversity. The workshop took place as it was announced that more than $199,000 would be shared by 17 Western Australian local governments in the latest round of the State Government Age-friendly Communities grants. Earlier this week, Seniors and Ageing Minister Mick Murray met with Dr Barratt to discuss WA's nation-leading performance in the age-friendly space. The grants program consists of two streams: age-friendly planning and implementation, with up to $10,000 and $20,000 available to local governments respectively. To date, 75 local governments have received $673,113. In June the State Government was named an affiliate member of the World Health Organisation's Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities, which gives it a significant role in supporting age-friendly communities worldwide. For a full list of recipients by local government area, visit http://www.dlgc.wa.gov.au Comments attributed to Seniors and Ageing Minister Mick Murray: "There is some terrific work being done to create age-friendly communities in WA. The State is a leader in this space and I congratulate the efforts being made to support our seniors. "In an age-friendly community, there is a culture of inclusion shared by people of all ages and ability levels. This encompasses spaces, places, programs and initiatives that make a community better for all residents. "The age-friendly grants and today's Age-friendly WA Workshop reflect the McGowan Labor Government's commitment to addressing the needs of our ageing population." Are you looking for work?
Wanting to further develop you skills? Head on over to the Southern Forests Employment Hub to see the current jobs in the area; just click the button below Wednesday, 19 July 2017
Just one in four eligible Western Australians voted in the 2015 elections, despite local governments providing significant services and infrastructure to their communities. Community members can ensure they are enrolled to vote by checking their enrolment status online with the Western Australian Electoral Commission before 5pm on September 1, 2017. This year, participation in elections is strongly encouraged among under-represented sections of the community including women, Aboriginal people, young people, and those from culturally and linguistically diverse communities. Strong councillors are the foundation of an effective and efficient local government and community members are asked to take the time to assess their candidates and vote for someone who will best represent them. Local government elections take place on Saturday, October 21, 2017. Enrolment forms are available at post offices, the Western Australian and Australian electoral commissions, most local government offices or from http://www.waec.wa.gov.au Candidates nominating for council have until September 7-14, 2017 to lodge a nomination. More information is available from the websites of the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries and the Western Australian Electoral Commission. Comments attributed to Local Government Minister David Templeman: "This Government is committed to increasing engagement in local government elections. "By getting involved in the elections, people are taking an active role in influencing the decisions that are made where they live and deciding who will represent them in their communities. "Competition breeds excellence, and a greater number of candidates will contribute to a higher standard of community representation, and the effective governance that communities deserve. "It is essential that everyone - regardless of age, gender or cultural background - has their say, and I encourage all local communities to get informed, and involved." |
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