Canning Swan river: More than $600,000 in community river care grants to fund huge restoration projects

 Canning Swan river: More than $600,000 in community river care grants to fund huge restoration projects | PerthNow

🟦 Key Takeaways

• More than $600,000 in WA Government community rivercare grants has been awarded to support major restoration projects across the Swan and Canning rivers.

• SERCUL (South East Regional Centre for Urban Landcare) received $93,655, one of the largest grants in this round.

• Their project focuses on Canning River Regional Park, aiming to improve water quality, habitat health, and native vegetation regeneration over the next three years.

• Work will target five sites across different ecosystems: claypan, saltmarsh, wetland, and riparian zones.

• The main activities include:

  • Controlling invasive weeds

  • Infill planting to restore degraded areas

  • Supporting volunteer groups who maintain the park

• The State Government allocated $655,000 across 14 groups for foreshore and wetland restoration.

• Other major recipients include:

  • Swan Estuary Reserves Action Group – over $80,000 for Alfred Cove A‑class reserve

  • Friends of Maylands Shamphires

  • Bibbul Ngarma Aboriginal Association

• Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn highlighted the program’s role in building a healthier, more resilient Swan–Canning catchment.

🟩 What This Means for the Community

• Expect visible restoration activity in Canning River Regional Park soon.

• Improved biodiversity, water quality, and habitat connectivity are the long-term goals.

• Funding strengthens the role of local volunteer groups, who are central to ongoing river care.

Why everyone is flocking to this Maddington lotto shop

 Why everyone is flocking to this Maddington lotto shop | Your Local Examiner

⭐ Key Takeaways

• The Good Fortune Lottery Centre in Maddington is attracting large crowds due to a streak of winning tickets.

• The store has sold 11 Division Two winners this year, and last year recorded 26 Division One and 37 Division Two winners.

• People are travelling from outside the area because they believe the shop is “a winning store”.

• Many newcomers—especially new migrants—visit to learn how to play different lottery games.

• The store recently sold a $50,000 scratchie prize from a $3 ticket.

• Customers often ask for advice, celebrate small wins, and even follow rituals like rubbing the owner’s belly for luck.

• Owner Ushan Iddamalgoda says the best part is seeing happy customers and hearing stories of how wins help people.

• He emphasises that lottery profits go back to the community through charities, hospitals, roads, and disability support.

• Friendly staff and positive “vibes” are part of the shop’s growing reputation.

🧭 Why the shop is so popular

• Winning streak: Frequent winners create buzz and attract hopeful players.

• Reputation: Years of consistent wins have built trust and curiosity.

• Community feel: Staff help newcomers understand the games and maintain a welcoming atmosphere.

• Human stories: Customers share emotional moments, like a woman who won shortly after her husband passed away.

Jesse’s pitching big dreams

 Jesse’s pitching big dreams | Your Local Examiner

1. Rising local softball talent

• Southern River teenager Jesse Lloyd (17) is emerging as a standout softball player.

• He recently represented Western Australia in the Under 18 Boys national tournament in NSW, where the team finished as grand finalists.

2. Long sporting journey

• Jesse began playing diamond sports at three and a half, starting with TeeBall.

• He tried baseball but found his passion in softball.

• He has played for AK Strikers, South Thornlie Redsox, and Fremantle Rebels, progressing steadily toward state-level competition.

3. Competing at national level

• The NSW tournament was a major step up, especially as he was one of the youngest on the WA team.

• He enjoyed the challenge and valued the chance to test himself against top players nationwide.

• Pitching in the grand final against Queensland was a highlight, even though WA didn’t win.

4. National pathway selection

• Jesse has been selected for the 2026 Under 18 Men’s Squad in the Softball Australia Pathway Program.

• This puts him on track for potential future national representation, earlier than he expected.

5. Balancing school and sport

• As a Year 12 student, he finds the workload demanding but manageable with organisation.

6. Big ambitions and strong support

• His long-term dream is to represent Australia at a World Cup.

• He credits his family, coaches, and teammates for supporting his development.

Athletes set to represent WA in national championships

 Athletes set to represent WA in national championships | Your Local Examiner

Four young athletes from South Thornlie — Ella Dowdell, Ellyssa Gurney, Leon Chanmul and Deklan Ellery — have been selected to represent Western Australia at the 2026 Coles Australia Little Athletics Championships in Brisbane.

🏅 Key details

✈️ Event & travel

• Championships held at QSAC, Brisbane.

• Athletes travel April 11–15.

🧒 Athlete events

• Deklan Ellery — Shot put, discus, Swedish relay.

• Leon Chanmul — 100m, 200m, relay.

• Ellyssa Gurney — Triple jump, 400m.

• Ella Dowdell — 1500m walk.

🎉 Athlete reactions

• All four described feeling excited, proud, and a little nervous.

• Ella was especially happy her best friend was also selected.

• Ellyssa is excited to fly on a plane for the first time.

🏋️ Training & preparation

• All athletes have been training consistently:

  • Deklan: five days a week, plus diet focus.

  • Leon: many training sessions.

  • Ellyssa: lots of training and staying organised.

  • Ella: regular training and technique work.

• They credit family and coaches for support.

🎯 Goals for the championships

• Deklan: Achieve personal bests, aim for top five.

• Leon: Set a new PB, finish strong, enjoy the experience.

• Ellyssa: Make new friends and prove she earned WA selection.

• Ella: Do her best and enjoy representing the state.

🏟️ Coach’s perspective

• Selection is based on strong performance in events.

• The achievement reflects the whole club’s effort — volunteers, supporters, and team culture.

• The group stands out for their attitude, persistence, and team spirit.

• The club focuses on strong fundamentals and regular competition to build confidence.

Praise for our firies

 Praise for our firies | Your Local Examiner

🔥 What happened

• A bushfire on 9 February burned around 90 hectares of bushland in Serpentine Jarrahdale.

• The fire started near Pruden Road and crossed South Western Highway.

• Cause is suspected to involve a stolen vehicle, but WA Police are still investigating.

🚒 Response and containment

• About 160 volunteer and career firefighters responded, supported by DFES, DBCA, WA Police, shire staff, and local landowners.

• Their coordinated effort stopped the fire’s forward spread.

• No loss of life or property occurred.

🌱 Recovery efforts

• Recovery works have been completed:

  • Fencing replacement

  • Track repairs

  • Restoration of affected areas

• Daily patrols continued until 16 February, when the incident was formally closed.

• Early ecological recovery is visible, but a controlled burn is still required at Watkins Road Nature Reserve.

📢 Community concerns & shire responses

Alert systems

• Emergency WA app provides loud preset alerts.

• AusAlert, a new national warning system, is in testing and expected to launch October 2026.

Mobile coverage

• Residents raised concerns about weak coverage.

• The shire is advocating with telecommunications companies for improvements.

Evacuation centre location

• Some questioned why the centre was in Byford (11 km away).

• The shire explained that the Byford recreation centre was the most suitable based on information at the time.

Tonkin Highway Extension

• The shire is working with the project team to ensure Emergency Access Ways are properly planned and integrated.

Fuel loads on verges

• The shire only manages verges where public safety or infrastructure is affected.

• Property owners are responsible for managing fuel loads on verges adjoining their land.

🧭 Community education

The session also covered:

• Bushfire plans

• How to access emergency information

• What to pack in an emergency kit

• How the Emergency WA warning system works