The Governor holding a Sugar Gliders at Ranger Reds Zoo Conservation Park, Pinjarra
The Governor meeting the Squirrel Gliders

Hidden little gems – The Governor visits Pinjarra

The Governor continued his promotion of regional WA with a visit to Pinjarra, receiving a tour of the new Bushfire Centre of Excellence and the new Ranger Red Zoo and Conservation Park (formerly Peel Zoo). The Governor also stopped off at the award winning Pinjarra Bakery for lunch.

Pinjarra is located 85 kilometres south of Perth in the Peel region. Just 1 hour drive from the hustle and bustle of the city, this township is the central hub of the Shire of Murray and boasts many significant heritage sites with the beautiful Murray River flowing throughout all year round.

At the temporary Bushfire Centre of Excellence, the Governor met with members of the Shire of Murray council, staff from Department of Fire and Emergency Services and other community members.

The Governor with staff from the Bushfire Centre of Excellence
Staff from the Bushfire Centre of Excellence welcoming the Governor

After a short introduction, the Governor was given a presentation of the concept behind the new Bushfire Centre of Excellence and a digital walk-through of what the new facility will look like when it is completed later this year.

The Governor with staff from the Bushfire Centre of Excellence
Bushfire Centre of Excellence, Pinjarra

The new centre will be the first of its kind in WA. It’s been designed as a learning hub that’s accessible to all bushfire management stakeholders and will provide high-level training for WA’s bush firefighters and other emergency service personnel.

After hearing about how the new centre will harness lessons learned and promote the best from academia, science and Aboriginal traditional land practices, the Governor was given a demonstration on how a fire and rescue vehicle can protect a crew if trapped and confronted by fire without an exit point.

Fire Truck
Fire response demonstration

Staff then showed the Governor the site where work is well underway to construct this innovative facility.

The Shire is also looking to build a food innovation hub on the site  – a centre of excellence for food research, food science and food manufacturing. Working with Murdoch University, the hope is to bring food science and innovation courses to Pinjarra. Construction is planned to start early 2021.

The Governor with staff from the Bushfire Centre of Excellence building site
New building site, Bushfire Centre of Excellence, Pinjarra

Following the site tour of the new Bushfire Centre of Excellence, the Governor visited the award winning Pinjarra Bakery for lunch. Meeting up with one of the owners, Daniel Pantaleo, the Governor was happy to hear that during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the bakery introduced an initiative called “Random acts of pie-ness”.

The Governor with owner of Pinjarra Bakery
Pinjarra Bakery, Pinjarra

The initiative proved a huge success, with the bakery deciding to continue ‘sprinkling some #pielove to amazing, upstanding members of the local community.’

With 10 bakers on board, this growing business has three other locations in Maddington, Waroona and Port Kennedy and they employ approximately 100 staff. This family run bake house is going from strength to strength.

The Governor with owner of Pinjarra Bakery
Pinjarra Bakery, Pinjarra

The final stop for the day was to Ranger Reds Zoo and Conservation Park. Mr Bradley R Holland, also known as Ranger Red, was there to greet the Governor with an Olive Python.

Previously Peel Zoo, the facility  was recently re-branded. The new owners hope  to provide a new and revitalized zoo, filled with new exhibits and facilities that will educate  children and bring families together in a fun and exciting environment.

The Governor holding an Olive Python at Ranger Reds Zoo Conservation Park, Pinjarra
Olive Python at Ranger Reds Zoo Conservation Park, Pinjarra

Ranger Red said it was a difficult period for the company during the COVID shutdown but they have been able to bounce back and are looking forward to many more years of enjoying the smiles and laughter of the children and families that visit the Zoo.

As part of the experiences the zoo has to offer, the Governor was invited to feed the birds in the walk-through aviary. As you can see the Governor was well received by the rainbow lorikeets.

The Governor with Rainbow lorikeets at Ranger Reds Zoo Conservation Park, Pinjarra
Rainbow lorikeets at Ranger Reds Zoo Conservation Park, Pinjarra

Feeding the squirrel gliders is a must do experience. Ivy, Torah, Saphira, and Ameli are very social and love being fed honey as a treat.

The Governor holding a Sugar Gliders at Ranger Reds Zoo Conservation Park, Pinjarra
Squirrel Gliders at Ranger Reds Zoo Conservation Park, Pinjarra

If you are looking for a great place to visit for the day or a weekend, then you can’t go past Pinjarra.

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