Published on Tuesday, 9 August 2022 at 8:00:00 AM
This weekend’s Avon Descent is set to be a thriller with paddlers and power boats taking to the water – with the series of riverside Family Fun Day events adding more excitement to the weekend.
Kicking off the Family Fun Day events on Friday 12 August is the Shire of Northam’s Bilya Festival. The returning street parade will feature an appearance of the Wargal, an Aboriginal Rainbow Serpent. Followed by the Shire of Toodyay’s International Food Festival and Family Fun Day which will keep visitors enthralled and entertained on Saturday 13 August.
The City of Swan’s Avon Descent Festival and the City of Bayswater Finish Line Festival bring the program to a rousing finish on Sunday 14 August. Each of the Family Fun Day events provide a perfect opportunity to enjoy family-friendly activities and sample great cuisine while cheering on the Avon Descent participants.
The Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council (EMRC), on behalf of the participating Councils; Shires of Toodyay, Northam and Cities of Swan and Bayswater, received $153,000 in Lotterywest grant support for the 2022 Avon Descent Family Fun Days. Lotterywest provides support to projects or activities that contribute to the Community Investment Framework, which covers five priority areas:
- Inclusive thriving community
• Connected cultural experiences
• Protected sustainable ecosystems
• Smart innovative society
• Active healthy people
“Lotterywest is proud to continue supporting EMRC in delivering another exciting series of Family Fun Day events,” said Lotterywest and Healthway CEO Ralph Addis.
“These events have become foundational to the Avon Descent weekend, connecting the local communities along the Avon and Swan Rivers with some family-friendly fun.”
Member for Belmont Ms Cassie Rowe MLA presented the grant on behalf of Lotterywest. The WA Government, through Lotterywest, supports community projects and events like this one, to enhance the quality of life and wellbeing for all West Australians through funding and support, helping to build a better WA together.
The Family Fun Days enhance the community experience of the Avon Descent through improved access and viewing opportunities, commentary, big screens and seating. All are aimed towards the creation of a family-friendly atmosphere and connecting the local communities along the Avon and Swan Rivers.
The EMRC Chief Sustainability Officer Wendy Harris said, ‘The EMRC year after year demonstrates a successful model of collaboration and a regional approach to deliver real benefits to the Eastern Region and its community. The Lotterywest grant support will go a long way to improve infrastructure, free entertainment, and event safety services, and it will be great to see community benefits in action.’
Lotterywest’s grant will enable communities in the Cities and Shires to come together for connection, recreation and to enjoy free and low-cost activities, entertainment and food at the Family Fun Day events. The Family Fun Day events are developed with sustainable activities and ecofriendly principals.
The Family Fun Days highlight and unite cultural significance and community in our Region, create opportunities for local businesses, as well as influence active lifestyle choices and appreciation for Perth’s surrounding natural environment, creating promising prospects for Perth’s Eastern Region. The events also present an opportunity to encourage tourism, helping to build community resilience to mitigate the ongoing impacts of COVID-19.
The Avon Descent weekend sees participants tackle the gruelling 124km paddle and power craft course over a series of stages, coordinated by Northam’s Avon Descent Association (NADA). NADA also provides additional activities on the event weekend for non-for-profits and children during the Avon Descent weekend which encourages liveability, recreation and connection to the land.
Notes to Editors:
Founded in 1983, the Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council (EMRC) is a forward-thinking regional local government representing the interests of five-member Councils located in Perth's Eastern Region: Town of Bassendean, City of Bayswater, City of Kalamunda, Shire of Mundaring and City of Swan. The Region covers a third of Perth’s metropolitan area and is home to 338,000 people.
The EMRC provides a broad range of services across the region including waste management and education, resource recovery and sustainability initiatives-. Working in partnership with its member Councils and other stakeholders, the EMRC delivers local and regional scale projects across each of these areas for the benefit of the region.
Media Contact:
Sara Toppi
Communications Coordinator
Direct: (08) 9424 2248
Email: sara.toppi@emrc.org.au
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