Local Federal MP Andrew Hastie invites Canning residents to submit project proposals to receive up to $20,000 under Round 4 of the Stronger Communities Programme (SCP).

“The Stronger Communities Programme is a fantastic Federal Government initiative to fund small capital projects that foster community cohesion and create viable, vibrant communities across our region,”

“I’ve had the pleasure of seeing the most recent round of SCP funds being put to good use around our region. The Mandurah Mums’ Cottage garden; Port Bouvard Recreation and Sporting Club’s new furniture; Nidjalla Waangan Mia’s new medical transport vehicle; and Scouts WA’s refurbished training camp toilets are just some of the beneficiaries of the Stronger Communities Programme. These grants really do make a difference to our communities.”

Eligible applicants—including local government and incorporated not-for-profit organisations—can apply for a grant between $2,500 and $20,000 for their project, provided they can match their funding request with cash or in-kind donations.

“With $150,000 of funding to allocate under Round Four of this programme, I would encourage all interested parties to contact my office a soon as possible to request an Expression of Interest form. These are welcome until 5:00pm (AWST) September 10, after which they will be assessed by the Canning Community Advisory Committee for eligibility and merit."

"Submissions recommended to my office by the committee will then be invited to formally apply for the grant,” 

To find out more about the Stronger Communities Programme, visit the website at www.business.gov.au/scp

To make an application, please read the eligibility criteria and then fill out the online form here Stronger Communities Programme Online Form

If you require any assistance in completing your application for, feel free to contact Andrew Hastie's office on (08) 9534 8044 or at [email protected]

On Saturday 21 July twelve local high school students participated in Andrew Hastie MP’s third annual Canning Shakespeare Competition at the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre (MPAC), competing for cash prizes, tickets to Julius Caesar and the honour of becoming Canning’s best youth Shakespearean of the year.

Students performed monologues from works including Hamlet, Henry IV, Henry V, Richard III, King John, Othello, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and As You Like It in front of a panel of expert judges. The panel included professional actress and Head of Acting at WAAPA, Glenda Linscott, and Mandurah local and long-time theatre professional Merle Brown, who has been heavily involved with local theatre for years, including with the Canning Shakespeare Competition.

The annual competition, which started in 2016, invites students aged 15-17 to submit a video performance of a monologue from one of William Shakespeare’s works. This year, the top twelve were then selected for the final performance before a live audience.

Sharni Uchtman from Austin Cove Baptist College won first place, performing as Constance from King John.

Second prize was won by Kade Chatfield from Frederick Irwin Anglican School.

Third by Abby Jennings from Austin Cove Baptist College. 

In addition to prize money, MPAC gave the top three contestants two tickets each to Bell Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar on August 14.

“William Shakespeare is one of the greatest storytellers of all time. His understanding of human experience and emotion is unmatched in the English language. I want our next generation of Australians to engage with this heritage, to experience it and internalise it.”

“The competition is about encouraging young people to take a risk and build self-confidence through engaging with the work of William Shakespeare.” Mr Hastie said.

“The performing arts are a great way to build confidence in our youth and to bring people together from all walks of life,” he added.

The event was co-sponsored by Senator Slade Brockman, and run in partnership with Mandurah Performing Arts Centre and Bell Shakespeare.

A new Community Centre will be built in Preston Beach after $95,000 was delivered under Round 2 of the Coalition’s Building Better Regions Fund—a highly competitive, widely subscribed federal grant programme.

Federal Member for Canning, Andrew Hastie MP stressed the importance of the Government supporting regional communities through grants such as the BBRF.

“Preston Beach is a small, tightknit community. The new Preston Beach Community Centre will provide a space for important local services such as visiting health care professionals and Fire Brigade training.” 

The new Preston Beach Community Centre will host around 120 community functions a year and serve as an emergency evacuation centre for Preston Beach residents.

“It’s vital that small communities like Preston Beach are not forgotten. Through grants like the BBRF, the Coalition is ensuring that regional Australia is not overlooked.”

The centre is one of five local projects funded under the Coalition’s second round of the Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF), providing over $6 million in projects throughout the Peel region and over $204 million toward 136 Infrastructure Projects and 100 Community Investment projects across rural and regional Australia.

Minister for Regional Development John McVeigh said the project will deliver significant economic and social benefits to the community.

“The Coalition has a plan for regional Australia and we are focused on getting it done. It’s a plan to create more jobs, drive economic growth and build stronger regional communities” said Minister McVeigh.

With the ongoing success of the Building Better Regions Fund, the Coalition Government has committed a further $200 million in the 2018-19 Federal Budget to deliver a third round, with applications to open in coming months. This demonstrated the Coalition’s commitment to create jobs, drive economic growth and build stronger regional communities into the future.

The second round of the Building Better Regions Fund, which includes the Community Investments stream and the Infrastructure Projects stream, is set to create some 10,000 jobs from over 240 projects.

“Round 2 of the BBRF helped great community initiatives receive the funds they needed and created local jobs. I’m looking forward to Round 3 doing more of the same” said Mr Hastie.