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Unique partnership bridges divide

In one of the first formal partnership of its kind in Western Australia, the City of Melville and the Shire of Quairading have entered into a mutually beneficial agreement designed to share and exchange a broad range of experiences, skills and resources. Melville is located just over eight kilometres from Perth General Post Office and has a population of 96,000 residents.

Quairading has 1,200 residents and is situated in the West Australian Wheatbelt, 160 kilometres east of Perth.

The partnership will bring the two communities together through the sharing of technical skills, services and advice. It aims to form a bond of friendship between city and country, helping to build awareness and understanding of issues and initiatives affecting each community.

“People might wonder what a small country town has to offer a large urban Council such as Melville, but Quairading has a fantastically close knit community, and has great experience in grassroots community building, engaging its residents and creating synergies with business,” said Melville Mayor, Katherine Jackson.

“We also have the opportunity to use our strengths and resources to assist Quairading achieve its goals in a cost effective way.

“Some technical skills and services, which might not be viable on a full time basis in country towns, could be supplied cost effectively, creating experience for our employees and sharing knowledge.” Quairading Shire President, Don Brown, agreed.

“We want this to be a cultural partnership as well as an opportunity to exchange experiences, information and resource,” he said. “These kind of partnerships are the future for country towns, enabling officers to learn skills and create a network of peer support that will benefit both communities now and in the future. We want to build a strong friendship between the communities, creating links between arts, environmental and sporting groups, encouraging school trips and also providing a friendly and family environment for Melville residents to come and experience here in the wheatbelt.”

The Kardinya Bowling Club led by Melville Councillor, John Bennett, recently visited Quairading for social activities and a pre season roll with the local club.

Mayor Jackson said that there are a range of potential connections being discussed to get the most out of this long term relationship.

Quairading and Melville first worked together in 1999, lobbying the Minister for Lands for the Quairading Community Nature Reserve to be vested in the Shire for ‘Conservation and Environmental Studies’ purposes. More recently Quairading supported the City of Melville’s call for the reinstatement of the Fremantle Eastern Bypass.

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