The Governor meeting the Squirrel Gliders Hidden little gems – The Governor visits Pinjarra August 12, 2020 By Adele Hollywood 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. 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. 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 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. 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”. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Gallery Squirrel Gliders, Ranger Reds Zoo Conservation Park, Pinjarra Blue-and-yellow Macaw, Ranger Reds Zoo Conservation Park, Pinjarra Ringtail Possum at Ranger Reds Zoo Conservation Park, Pinjarra Ringtail Possum, Ranger Reds Zoo Conservation Park, Pinjarra Owls at Ranger Reds Zoo Conservation Park, Pinjarra Owl, Ranger Reds Zoo Conservation Park, Pinjarra Tasmanian Devil, Ranger Reds Zoo Conservation Park, Pinjarra Kookaburra, Ranger Reds Zoo Conservation Park, Pinjarra Kangaroo at Ranger Reds Zoo Conservation Park, Pinjarra Quoll at Ranger Reds Zoo Conservation Park, Pinjarra Post navigation Perth based robotics company Chironix thriving in emergent world of cyber physical systemsCOVID-19 update from JTSI, DFAT and Austrade View all Articles