The 2023 Most Accessible Community of Western Australia (MACWA) Awards were held this week at the Scarboro Surf Life Saving Club.
The MACWA Awards are based on Local Government Disability Access Inclusion Plans and seek to recognise those cities, towns and shires that demonstrate that they have exceeded minimum legislative requirements with a creative and innovative approach to buildings and services, public open spaces, communication, and employment.
Now in its fourth year, WALGA sponsored the event through venue, catering, photography provision, and award sponsorship.
Hon. Minister Don Punch MLA gave a speech on the importance of facilitating disability access and inclusion in our communities.
"The MACWA Awards play a significant role in highlighting the importance of accessible and inclusive communities, and the role we all play in ensuring our cities, towns and all facets of community life can be accessed equally by all Western Australians.”
This was reiterated by WALGA Deputy President WALGA Paul Kelly, Andrew Brien from Regional Capitals Alliance WA, and Marion Hailes-Macdonald, ED Office of Disability Department of Communities.
Melissa Northcott, former Councillor and the MACWA Award Ambassador, thanked all Local Governments for their nominations and for continuing to demonstrate the importance of accessibility in the community.
The full list of winners and highly commended recipients are as follows:
Category: Accessible buildings, facilities, and services
Highly Commended: City of Geraldton and the City of Joondalup
Winner: City of Mandurah
Category: Public Open Spaces
Highly Commended: City of Canning and the City of Albany
Winners: City of Kalgoorlie Boulder and the City of Mandurah
Category: Communication
Highly Commended: City of Cockburn
Winners: Shire of Augusta Margaret River and City of Mandurah
Category: Employment
Highly Commended: City of Vincent
Winner: City of Mandurah
Congratulations to the City of Mandurah for taking out an award in every category and thank you to all involved in making the event a success.
Acknowledgement of Country
WALGA acknowledges the continuing connection of Aboriginal people to Country, culture and community. We embrace the vast Aboriginal cultural diversity throughout Western Australia, including Boorloo (Perth), on the land of the Whadjuk Nyoongar People, where WALGA is located and we acknowledge and pay respect to Elders past and present.