Stirling Scene is the City’s monthly e-newsletter, full of events and important updates. Subscribe to find out what’s new at www.stirling.wa.gov.au/subscribe
Welcome to the April edition of Stirling Scene
Welcome to the April edition of Stirling Scene.
The City is always looking for innovative and creative ways to deliver our services to the community. Stirling Libraries – Hamersley Book Nook is the latest example. This facility brings the traditional library into the click-and-collect era, creating a 24/7 outdoor library collection service at our Hamersley Community Hub. It will give more residents convenient access to our extensive online library catalogue. The 39 Bibliotheca outdoor lockers at the Hamersley Book Nook are the first to be installed in Western Australia.
Speaking of innovative, our redevelopment of Stirling Leisure – Hamersley Public Golf Course was the toast of the town at last month’s Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia WA Excellence Awards. The redevelopment was a finalist in two categories – Best Public Works Project Greater than $5 million (Metropolitan) and Excellence in Innovation (Metropolitan) – and it won both. It then claimed the overall prize, the G.K. Watters Local Government Engineering Excellence Award for WA’s top local government engineering project.
As critical as it is for the City to innovate and improve, it is also important that we appreciate and preserve our past. We were proud to partner with the Mount Lawley Society last weekend to unveil 10 new heritage plaques along Beaufort Street that tell the stories of historic places and people. This project stemmed from a notice of motion from Lawley Ward Councillor Joe Ferrante in 2016. The plaques form part of a heritage walk from Copley Park to the Astor Theatre, promoting the rich heritage and architecture at the heart of Mount Lawley.
This weekend will feature the inaugural running of the Mayor’s Throwdown at Scarborough Beach as part of the Perth Beach Obstacle Course Race. The Mayor’s Throwdown is a not-so-competitive obstacle course race for a great cause starring yours truly and a range of political, business and community leaders. Meanwhile, at the nearby Stirling Leisure – Scarborough Beach, swimmers will be testing their limits for charity at the Revo Fitness 24-hour Swim for Ocean Heroes. Good luck to all involved in these two fantastic events, including our City of Stirling swim team.
ANZAC Day services will be held across the City later this month, when our community will gather to honour our servicemen and women, past and present. You can find a list of local services here. Lest we forget.
Mark Irwin
Mayor
Pictured: Mayor Mark Irwin at the unveiling of the new Stirling Libraries – Hamersley Book Nook.
Ward focus: Lawley
Ward Councillors Joe Ferrante and Deputy Mayor Suzanne Migdale recently visited the newly installed public toilet facility at Yokine Regional Open Space, offering greater accessibility and convenience for park and play space users. The design reflects the feedback from community consultation to meet the diverse needs of visitors.
The new facility includes:
• Four amenities, with two facing the play space and two for reserve users
• Two universally accessible and two ambulant toilets for added comfort
• Larger accessible toilets to accommodate parents and carers with prams.
Adding to the upgrade, the facility now features ‘First Light’, a stunning new mural by artist Imogen Palmer. Spanning two walls, the artwork depicts native birds and flora, blending seamlessly with the natural surroundings.
Next time you’re at Yokine Play Space, check out the new facilities and vibrant new mural.
Pictured: (L-R): Lawley Ward Councillors Joe Ferrante and Deputy Mayor Suzanne Migdale at the new Yokine Regional Space public toilets and mural.
EGM 2023/24
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 2023/24 Electors’ General Meeting (EGM) both in person and online.
The meeting provided an opportunity to receive the annual report, financial statements, and auditor’s report for the previous financial year, as well as discuss other general business. It was a valuable chance for the community to engage with Council and our Executive Team, and the strong turnout reflected the importance of many local issues.
A total of 24 motions were submitted, with 184 people in attendance. The minutes and all motions carried at the EGM will be considered by Council at its meeting on Tuesday 13 May.
The agenda for the Council meeting will be available to the public by Friday 9 May and can be viewed at www.stirling.wa.gov.au/minutes-agendas.
Exciting playground upgrades
The City of Stirling is committed to providing fun, safe, and accessible play spaces for children of all ages.
Carine Regional Open Space upgrade
A concept plan to revitalise the playground on Okely Road has been developed, with the proposed upgrades aiming to boost accessibility, play value and community enjoyment.
Features include:
- Improved pathways
- New, inclusive playground equipment
- Additional shelters and seating
- An expanded basketball area with a half court and netball goal shooting space.
A second round of consultation is now open until 5.00pm on Monday 5 May and a drop-in session scheduled from 5.30pm to 6.15pm on Thursday 10 April at Carine Regional Open Space playground.
New playgrounds coming soon
As part of our playground renewal program, we are replacing 15 playgrounds across the City, with construction starting in April. Learn more on the City's playground renewal program.
Maintenance
Meanwhile, Scarborough’s much-loved Whale Playground will be temporarily closed for maintenance from Monday 28 April to Friday 9 May. During this time, we’ll clean and reseal the rubber soft fall, resurface timber areas, top up sand areas, and give the sign a fresh coat of paint.
While the work is underway, you can enjoy nearby playgrounds at Brighton Beach Reserve or explore other fantastic parks and play spaces across the City.
Review the concept plan and share your feedback.
Pictured: Carine Community Parkland upgrade.
Celebrate Tree Fest and get involved in greening our City
From Saturday 12 April to Saturday 10 May, the City is once again participating in WA Tree Fest with 20 other councils — a month-long celebration with workshops, school holiday activities, art installations, talks, free plants, and wellness events. It’s all about raising awareness of the importance of tree canopy and creating greener neighbourhoods.
With tree planting season starting soon, we'll plant around 7,000 new trees on street verges, in reserves, and in natural areas as part of our commitment to a cooler, healthier environment. Whether you’re enjoying a local park or walking through your suburb, keep an eye out for new trees popping up near you.
Visit our planting programs and tree maintenance page for planting locations by suburb and street. This year, the City has been awarded funding through the Urban Greening Grant Program thanks to the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation and delivered by WALGA.
Feeling inspired to lend a hand? Register for one of our upcoming community planting days. It’s a great opportunity to meet like-minded locals while making a positive impact.
The Hamersley Habitat Community Garden recently marked its 10-year anniversary with a special Open Day. Established in March 2015, the garden has transformed a once-neglected space near Warwick Shopping Centre into a thriving community hub.
Over the past decade, it has blossomed with organic, edible, and native garden beds, bringing people together through a shared love of gardening. The celebration saw people of all ages enjoy workshops and morning tea, reflecting on the garden’s incredible journey.
Here’s to many more years of growing, connecting, and celebrating the green spaces that make our city a wonderful place to live.
Pool safety matters
To help keep our community safe, the State Government requires all pools and spas with more than 30cm of water to have compliant safety barriers. As part of these requirements, local governments must carry out regular pool/spa inspections, at least once every four years.
They must also inspect all new pool/spa barriers within 30 days of construction and reinspect non-compliant pool/spa barriers within 60 days of being found non-compliant.
Drowning remains one of the leading causes of accidental deaths for young children. While supervision is essential, compliant safety barriers that are kept free of climbable objects and regular inspections provide an extra layer of protection.
The City’s Pool Inspectors are here to support you. By ensuring your pool or spa complies with regulations, you can prevent accidents, avoid fines, and protect your loved ones.
You can book a pool or spa inspection online at www.stirling.wa.gov.au/poolsafety or call the City on (08) 9205 8555.
Celebrating student innovation in sustainable design
Our second Sustainable Stirling Student Design Competition invited students to create eco-friendly urban infill designs for real suburban blocks. Held as part of Perth Design Week 2025, the competition challenged students to think creatively about sustainable development and urban change.
Participants embarked on a journey of learning and collaboration, gaining valuable insights into city planning and the importance of environmentally conscious design. Their innovative ideas were showcased at the Sustainable Stirling Awards Gala, held at the City of Stirling Reception Hall.
A special congratulations to all the talented students who contributed their creativity and passion to the competition.
Here are this year’s outstanding winners:
Primary
- Winner: ‘Paradise Sanctuary’ by Natalie
- Second Place: ‘Ecoville’ by Alice, Maebh, Anna, and Annabella (Marmion Primary School)
- Third Place: ‘Sustainaville’ by Grace, Imogen, and Alex (Marmion Primary School)
Secondary
- Winner: Charlie (St Mary's Anglican School)
Commendation
- Winner: ‘The Hive’ by Isabella, Orlando, and Alessandro
Mayor’s Commendation Medal for Sustainable Design
- Winner: Mitchell, Axel and Ashton (Marmion Primary School)
Congratulations once again to all the participants for their inspiring contributions to a more sustainable future for the City of Stirling.
Pictured: The winners of the Sustainable Stirling Design Competition.
Say goodbye to school holiday boredom
Looking to keep it local and make the most of the school holidays? We've got you covered with epic itineraries that are sure to keep everyone entertained.
From seaside escapades to thrilling events, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Discover the best of Stirling with our curated itineraries, featuring school holiday adventures, free family fun, and early morning activities.
Visit the City's website to discover a range of low cost events and school holiday programs.
What's on in the City
With plenty of events happening across the City, mark your calendar and make the most of what's on.
- ‘Colour Inspirations’ Art Exhibition+| Monday 31 March – Saturday 12 April | Various times and dates | Inglewood Arts Hub
- David Ledger presents Plein Air Painting Workshops for Seniors over 60*| Thursdays | 3 April – 24 April | Various times | Jackadder Lake Reserve, Woodlands
- Modern Cloth Nappy pop-in Q&A sessions~ | Friday 4 April and Wednesday 7 May | 10.00am – 11.00am | Various Stirling Libraries
- Fine Art at Perth College – 40th Annual Art Exhibition WA | Friday 4 April | 6.00pm – 9.30pm | Perth College, Mount Lawley
- Perth Beach Obstacle Course Race^ | Saturday 5 April – Sunday 6 April | 7.00am – 3.00pm | Scarborough Beach
- MetSO Concert ‘Gardens of Aranjuez’* | Sunday 6 April | 3.00pm – 5.00pm | Taryn Fiebig Concert Hall, Churchlands
- Inglewood Upmarket* | Saturday 12 April | 9.00am – 1.00pm | Inglewood Town Square, 895 Beaufort Street, Inglewood
- Balga Skate Festival~ | Saturday 12 April | 12.00 noon – 7.30pm | Balga Skatepark, Princess Road, Balga
- Bark Run~ | Sunday 13 April | 8.30am – 10.00am | Monyash Reserve, Monyash Road, Carine
- Pins and Needles – Art Exhibition by Laura Ward+| Monday 14 April – Saturday 26 April | Various times and dates | Inglewood Arts Hub
- Stirling Players Presents Newsies Jr* | Saturday 26 April – Saturday 10 May | Various times | Stirling Theatre, Morris Place, Innaloo
- Down to Earth Upcycle Market* | Sunday 27 April | 9.00am – 12.00 noon | Main Street Piazza, Corner of Main Street and Hutton Street, Osborne Park
- Perth Folk & Roots Club* | Sunday 27 April | 5.00pm – 8.00pm | Inglewood Bowling and Sports Club, Mount Lawley
- Incorporation: A guide for Community Groups~ | Tuesday 29 April | 5.30pm – 7.30pm | Osborne Community Hub
- Inglewood Monday Night Markets* | Mondays weekly | 6.00pm – 9.00pm | Beaufort Street & 9th Avenue Inglewood
- Scarborough Sunset Markets: Summer Edition* | Thursdays weekly | 5.00pm – 9.00pm | Scarborough Beach Amphitheatre and Market Square
- Mirrabooka Friday Markets^ | Fridays | 7.00am – 12.00 noon | Mirrabooka Regional Open Space
- Stirling Street Food+ | Fridays | Saturdays | Various dates and locations
- Stirling Farmers Markets* | Sundays | 7.30am – 11.30am | 25 Cedric Street, Stirling.
~City of Stirling event
+City of Stirling supported event
*Proudly supported by the City’s Community Grants Program
^Proudly sponsored by the City of Stirling.
Have you recently attended an event or program in Stirling? We'd like to hear your thoughts on our arts and events program by completing our short survey.
Pictured: Balga Skate Festival.
Djeran — season of adulthood
Local Aboriginal-owned graphic design agency, Norlap Creative, partnered with artist Teresa Miller to create six original artworks for the City of Stirling that share the story of the Nyoongar seasons and Mooro Country native flora and fauna. The above artwork represents Djeran or autumn. Djeran season, at last, sees a break in the really hot weather. A key indicator of the change of season is the cool nights that again bring a dewy presence for us to discover in the early mornings. The winds have also changed, especially in intensity, with light breezes being the go and generally swinging from southerly directions. |
