Governor visits East Kimberley on first official regional visit

From Sunday 12th August to Thursday 16th August the Governor visited the East Kimberley Region as part of the Governor’s Regional Visit Program.

This was the Governor’s first regional visit since being sworn-in as the State’s 33rd Governor on the 1st May 2018.

During the trip the Governor met with representatives in Kununurra, Wyndham, Warmun and Halls Creek and was briefed on each area’s important projects and initiatives

“The Kimberley generally, and the north, is really at the heart of the West Australian contribution to our globe. This is our big minerals province, it’s also quite a substantial agricultural province and this is what keeps the country alive, so it’s good for me to get around and have a look at what’s been done here. And as a parallel objective, getting to know the communities up here more intensively than I have done previously has been extremely valuable.

I have seen what is a totally beautiful environment, but the discussions with the people in the Kimberley Development Commission and local governments are what is important. They give me the ability to understand how they actually perceive themselves and how they think the rest of the State perceives them.

What I’ve seen which really does the heart good is the terrific work being done in the education and health systems. There is clearly a lot of intelligent investment and strategising by people who are responsible for planning and local government regions. This is an area that knows what it needs and has some viable options as to how they might get what they need, so I’m very much encouraged.

Particularly impressive was the indigenous leadership in the area. Proud and determined to see their culture respected and the people advanced. Beautiful art. I left with some lovely examples.

Advocacy for the State and civic encouragement are the two areas which people most identify with the roles that Governors play. I look a bit more to the advocacy point, and I hope that over the course of the next four years we can cement in the minds of our fellow Australians, and in the minds of our allies and counterparts overseas, that this State and its regional areas is the heart of Australia’s strategic significance.

The mining, particularly of rare earths and the agricultural developments are at the heart of the strategic significance of the area. I hope the commonwealth government will partner effectively with the State in advancing development in the region. Discussions with some of those engaged were particularly useful. There is confidence and optimism among those involved.”

The Honourable Kim Beazley AC

Media

Waringarri Radio interview (external link)

Halls Creek Herald (external link)

Itinerary

Monday 13th August – Kununurra

Miriuwung Gajerrong Welcome and Overview of Miriuwung Gajerrong (MG) Corp, at Mirima National Park
Waringarri Arts
Strategic Overview of Regional Development in the Kimberley at lunch
Tour of Ord River Irrigation Area, including the Goomig Farm Area
Meet with Councillors and local volunteers at a reception hosted by the Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley at Kununurra School/Community Library

Tuesday 14th August – Kununurra and Wyndham

Kununurra District High School in partnership with St Joseph’s School – (Click here to watch the Governor’s interview with Waringarri Radio)
Kununurra Health Services at Coolibah Centre
Ian Trust, Chairperson, Wunan at The Kununurra Country Club Resort
St Joseph’s School, Wyndham
Briefing on Airbus Zephyr project, Wyndham
Bastion Hill and overview of Wyndham Port