Shire of Carnarvon

We're excited to announce that the Shire of Carnarvon has received funding from Development Disability WA through the State Government to celebrate International Day of People with Disability! In the lead-up to this important day, we will be welcoming Michelle De Robillard from Berry Bee Publishing to Carnarvon. Michelle will be visiting schools and the community for a special Storytime of her book, Maisy and Daisy Move House. This beautiful story, released in April 2024, was inspired by families navigating the challenges of finding accessible homes and making modifications to suit their children’s needs. Stay tuned for more exciting community activities leading up to 3 December!

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐯𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚 𝐃𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐂𝐄𝐎. Amanda marked her first day in the role by attending her inaugural Carnarvon Council Meeting. With a strong understanding of the community's unique challenges, Amanda is excited to reconnect with familiar faces and meet new ones in the coming weeks. She is committed to working closely with the Council and the community to gain deeper insights into their priorities and future aspirations. Amanda encourages everyone to reach out as she settles into her role over the next few months. We would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to John Attwood for his exceptional service as interim CEO over the past three months, ensuring a seamless leadership transition. Welcome, Amanda!  

𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐯𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 The Shire of Carnarvon has been recognised as a recipient of the prestigious 2024 Volunteer Employer Recognition Awards, joining 82 businesses and self-employed volunteers across Western Australia in being acknowledged for their invaluable contributions to emergency services. This recognition highlights the vital role that supportive employers and self-employed volunteers play in the State’s emergency service efforts, where over 95% of personnel are volunteers. The Volunteer Employer Recognition Awards celebrate employers who enable their staff to respond to emergency incidents and participate in essential training by offering flexibility and support. The Shire of Carnarvon was recognised for fostering a workplace environment that actively supports volunteer participation in emergency services. By offering flexible work arrangements and reducing the financial burden on employees, the Shire demonstrates its commitment to empowering its staff to serve the community. “We are proud to support our employees who volunteer for emergency services,” said Shire’s Acting CEO John Attwood. “At the Shire of Carnarvon, we understand the challenges small communities face in attracting and retaining volunteers. That’s why we developed our Paid Volunteer Emergency Service Leave program in 2022 to encourage greater participation and make volunteering more accessible.” Before 2022, Shire employees were able to volunteer but often had to use their leave or take leave without pay, which created a financial strain. To address this, the Shire introduced the Paid Volunteer Emergency Service Leave program, which provides employees with dedicated leave for volunteering. This initiative has seen employee participation in emergency services rise dramatically - from just 5% in 2021 to approximately 35% in 2024. The program allows staff to be on-call during work hours, attend vital training sessions, and respond to emergency incidents, ensuring they can support organisations such as St John Ambulance, SES, Carnarvon Bush Fire Brigade, Carnarvon Volunteer Firefighters, and Carnarvon Volunteer Marine Rescue. Additionally, employees can take time off to recover from night callouts without compromising their regular leave entitlements. The Shire of Carnarvon remains committed to promoting community integration and volunteerism. The Paid Volunteer Emergency Service Leave program is regularly advertised in the Shire’s weekly newsletter Team Tales and is featured as an employee benefit in recruitment efforts, further encouraging participation in vital local volunteer groups. The Shire of Carnarvon’s recognition at the 2024 Volunteer Employer Recognition Awards stands as a testament to its dedication to community support, volunteerism, and the safety of Western Australia.

𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐯𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐊𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐖𝐀 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 ✨👏 The Shire of Carnarvon is proud to announce it has been named a finalist in three prestigious categories at the 2024 Keep Australia Beautiful WA Awards. The Shire’s innovative and community-driven initiatives have been recognised in the following categories: Category: Litter Action – Clean Up Carnarvon 🌱 Category: Young Legends – Hana Smith 💕 Category: General Appearance – Caring for Carnarvon 6701 🎨 Shire staff recently hosted the awards judges in Carnarvon, where they toured several key areas and projects that demonstrate the community’s ongoing commitment to sustainability, youth engagement, and beautification. 🌱✨ In the Litter Action category, the Shire's Clean Up Carnarvon initiative stood out for its successful Clean Community Coffees program and targeted clean-up efforts. These initiatives included clean-ups at Mungullah and areas where illegal dumping had increased, helping to restore pride in the community. ☕🗑️ The Young Legends category celebrates the dedication of Hana Smith, the Shire’s Youth Team Lead. Hana’s leadership has been instrumental in the delivery of engaging after-school and holiday programs, along with her work in place-making initiatives like The Future is Me program, which empowers young people to shape their surroundings through creative, community-driven projects. 👧💕 The General Appearance category finalist, Caring for Carnarvon 6701, reflects the Shire’s success in enhancing the overall look and feel of the community. Through a unique co-design approach, projects such as the Egan Street Mural, Main Street Planter Boxes, Skate Park Redevelopment, and David Brand Drive Mural have not only beautified Carnarvon but also involved the community in meaningful placemaking efforts. 🌱🎨👏 Shire President Eddie Smith expressed his pride in the community’s achievements, saying: “Being recognised as finalists in these awards is a testament to the hard work and dedication of both our community and staff. These initiatives reflect our shared commitment to improving the environment, supporting our young people, and making Carnarvon a place we can all be proud of. I am particularly proud of organisations leadership and the collaborative efforts that have brought these projects to life.” The winners of the Keep Australia Beautiful WA Awards will be announced on 29 November 2024 at Optus Stadium. 🏆🤞

Yesterday, our Community and Cultural Development Manager, Stephanie Leca, met with the lovely ladies at Carnarvon Art and Craft Group to discuss Round 3 of the Community Growth Fund, which closes on 12th December. Our Community Project Officer, Helen Tipton, also joined to offer valuable support, providing advice on how to refine their social media presence and boost their online outreach. This year, the Carnarvon Arts and Craft Group will be celebrating a special milestone on 4th November – 50 years as Carnarvon’s iconic Art and Craft Shop, operating from the historic Jubilee Hall! Their incredible journey began at the very first committee meeting, where the name “Carnarvon’s Arts and Craft Group” was chosen.

The Shire of Carnarvon recently supported the Immersion Experience for Medical Students, an exciting outcome of our Health Round Table initiative! Through the partnership with Rural Health West, we welcomed medical students to Carnarvon, giving them a taste of what it’s like to live and work in our beautiful region. This immersion program builds on the success of similar initiatives across regional WA and opens new opportunities for our community. We’re thrilled to showcase Carnarvon and ensure our medical services continue to grow and thrive. A big thank you to the students who visited and contributed to our school holiday program - it was fantastic to see your engagement with our community.

🎉 We are thrilled to announce that the Shire of Carnarvon has won the Minister for Local Government's Place Innovation Award for Regional Western Australia for our 'The Future is Me' project! 🎉 Today, Robert Weymouth proudly accepted the award on behalf of the Shire. This recognition highlights our proactive approach to place-making and our commitment to engaging young people in meaningful community projects. 'The Future is Me' project was designed using an evidence-based, co-design approach with the local community to address youth disengagement. By collaborating with local organisations and the community, we aimed to create impactful outcomes. Our early engagement with young people revealed a passion for art, leading us to implement major art projects such as the Egan Street Mural on OutBack Floral Designs shop front and the revitalisation of the Skate Park, these projects not only beautified community spaces but also fostered a sense of ownership and pride among our youth. Congratulations to the City of Albany and the Shire of Goomalling for being finalists in this category with their outstanding projects as well!

𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐯𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝟐 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝 The Shire of Carnarvon is excited to announce the successful recipients of Round 2 of the 2024 Community Growth Fund and Outgoing Sponsorship. During the 10 September 2024 meeting, the Community Growth Fund Committee, comprising Elected Members, reviewed 10 applications totaling $69,770.38, selecting projects based on community impact, inclusivity, and sustainability. Five applicants received funding through the Community Growth Fund, with $24,700.38 awarded, while five recipients from the Outgoing Sponsorship category were granted $45,000. The supported projects will enhance community wellbeing and promote inclusiveness across Carnarvon. The successful applicants are: • Carnarvon Horticultural Society – $1,500   • Gascoyne Gymnastics Club – $5,000   • Carnarvon Playgroup – $1,000   • Carnarvon Chamber of Commerce – $5,000   • Baiyungu Aboriginal Corporation – $5,000   • Carnarvon Fishing Club – $5,000   • Events Carnarvon – $10,000   • Queernarvon – $5,000   • Carnarvon Windfest – $5,000  Shire President, Eddie Smith commented "We are proud to support the dedicated efforts of our local groups and organisations through the Community Growth Fund. These projects are a true reflection of Carnarvon’s commitment to inclusivity, diversity, and sustainability, ensuring a bright future for our Shire." The Shire will continue to promote future funding rounds, with the next opportunities available in October 2024 and January 2025, aligning with the Community Strategic Plan 2022-2032. By 2040, the Shire envisions a community that celebrates its diverse culture, history, and sustainable future.

𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐂𝐄𝐎 𝐎𝐧𝐛𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝟐𝟐 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 The Shire of Carnarvon is pleased to announce the successful appointment of its new Chief Executive Officer, Amanda Dexter, who will officially commence her role on 22 October 2024. The recruitment process was conducted in full compliance with the Shire’s adopted standards for CEO Recruitment, Performance, and Termination, as outlined in the Local Government Act and relevant regulations. At a Special Council Meeting held on 7 May 2024, the Council endorsed the CEO recruitment process along with associated matters. Following this, on 16 July 2024, the CEO Selection Panel presented its confidential Chief Executive Officer Recruitment Report at another Special Council Meeting, where the Shire President was authorised to execute the employment contract with the selected candidate. The Council is pleased to confirm that the preferred applicant, Amanda Dexter, accepted the employment offer on 16 July 2024. With her appointment, the Council is confident in her ability to provide strong leadership and contribute meaningfully to the continued growth and success of the Shire of Carnarvon. The recruitment process adhered strictly to the Shire of Carnarvon’s adopted standards, and the finalisation of the employment contract marks the successful conclusion of this process. The Shire looks forward to welcoming Amanda Dexter as CEO and working together to ensure a prosperous future for the community.

𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬! The Shire of Carnarvon is on the lookout for talented artists to contribute to our exciting Activation Project! We've teamed up with H+H Architects, WA’s largest regional architectural practice, to enhance key locations in Carnarvon, including the Tramway Trail, Van Dongen Park, Town Oval, and Main Street. As part of this project, we're incorporating public art that reflects the rich history and vibrant culture of our community. Whether you work with paint, sculpture, or any other medium, this is your chance to leave a lasting mark on Carnarvon. We're looking for creative minds who can tell a story through their art and bring our local amenities to life. 𝐃𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐯𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐲𝐨𝐮! For detailed information on how you can be a part of transforming Carnarvon’s streetscapes and to learn how to submit your expression of interest, please follow this link https://lnkd.in/e_QjcTAX