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Latest news from the department.

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Historical Agricultural and Pastoral Leases

Publications promote richness of shared history

Jun 3, 2022
Two publications launched during Reconciliation Week are connecting people to their Aboriginal history and celebrating the richness of Western Australia’s shared history.

Tags: Aboriginal Aboriginal History WA publication

All news

Young male and female boxers wrapping hands in bandages - stock photo

WA combat sports industry continues to grow and flourish

20 Sep 2019
The Combat Sports Commission welcomes the continued growth of the combat sports industry in Western Australia.
Carlien Jeanne at Gascoyne in May

Grant programs to increase regional arts activity

19 Sep 2019
Two new grant programs that opened this week will increase the number and variety of arts and culture activities presented in regional Western Australia, by supporting the costs of their delivery.
Car driving in West Australian outback

State Art Gallery works to go on new regional tour

13 Sep 2019
A new capsule exhibition featuring sculptures, jewellery and ceramics from the State Art Collection will visit regional audiences across Western Australia from 2020.
An illustrated banner representing multicultural Western Australians.

Funding open for 2020 Harmony Week activities

11 Sep 2019
Funding is now available for community groups and not-for-profit organisations to hold cultural diversity and inclusion activities for Harmony Week 2020.
Young female boxers leaning against boxing ring ropes chatting - stock photo

Executive Officer announcement

6 Sep 2019
The Combat Sports Commission is pleased to announce that Antoni Grover has been permanently appointed as Executive Officer.
A young girl smiling at an event

Perth gets an African focus for Australia-Africa Week

4 Sep 2019
Growing in size and scope every year, Australia-Africa Week is an opportunity to celebrate the many ties between Australia and countries across the African continent.
National Arts and Disability Awards

National Arts and Disability Awards 2019-21

4 Sep 2019
The Australia Council for the Arts are calling for nominations to the National Arts and Disability Awards 2019-21.
A group of people standing in front of a plaque.

State Government strengthening hockey in the southern suburbs

2 Sep 2019
Perth's hockey community has celebrated the opening of the Lakelands Hockey and Sporting Facility, with the brand new $6.53 million grassroots hub set to boost the sport in the growing southern suburbs.
Georgia McAlpine (Demos from The Wheatbelt artist from Buntine), photographed at The Cummins Theatre

WA music artists reaching new audiences

29 Aug 2019
The Contemporary Music Fund is continuing to support Western Australian contemporary music artists to play to new audiences across the State and nationally.
A general view of play during Game 1 of the Women's One Day International series between Australia and New Zealand at the WACA on February 22, 2019 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

WACA change rooms changing with the times

26 Aug 2019
The State Government has contributed $100,000 to the Western Australian Cricket Association (WACA) to help build new unisex change rooms in the lead up to the 2020 Women's T20 World Cup.
An close up image of a trail bike river on a dirt road

Controlling Off-road Vehicles in Your Community

22 Aug 2019

Ministerial Circular 2 2017

In light of recent off-road vehicle incidents across the State, local governments are reminded of the options available for controlling off-road vehicle use in the community.
Premier Mark McGowan, Speaker Peter Watson MLA Member for Albany and Mayor City of Albany Dennis Wellington opening the Centennial Park Sporting Precinct in Albany

Albany’s revitalised Centennial Park Sporting Precinct complete

22 Aug 2019
Premier Mark McGowan today opened the new eastern pavilion at Albany's Centennial Park Sporting Precinct — completing the State Government's $7 million election commitment to revitalise the grassroots sporting hub.
High angle view of currency and calculator on table - stock photo

Regulation Amendment Changes to Fixed Term Deposit Investment Period

21 Aug 2019

Ministerial Circular 4 2017

I am pleased to advise that following feedback from the local government sector, the McGowan Government has responded to requests to change the period of time that local governments can invest in fixed term deposits.
Graham 'Polly' Farmer of the Geelong Cats VFL club kicks a ball. (Photo by Getty Images)

Public invited to State Funeral service for Graham “Polly” Farmer

19 Aug 2019
Members of the public are invited to pay their respects to the late Graham "Polly" Farmer at a State Funeral service to be held at Optus Stadium from 11am on Monday August 26.
Mrs Lawford-Wolf

Statement on the passing of Mrs Lawford-Wolf

14 Aug 2019
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Ben Wyatt has today expressed his deepest sorrow at the news of the passing of Mrs Lawford-Wolf, a Gooniyandi woman from the Kimberley's Fitzroy Valley.
Minister Murray welcomes the Boomers and the Canadian team to Perth at Bendat Basketball Centre.

Boomers and Canada set to clash as WA’s biggest-ever winter of sport rolls on

13 Aug 2019
The Australian Boomers' NBA superstars have touched down in Perth for two clashes against Team Canada at RAC Arena this weekend as part of preparations for the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
Tim Swart at the 2019 Trails Forum

Trails forum launches guides for WA’s hikers, mountain bikers and trails enthusiasts

12 Aug 2019
Local, regional and national trails experts gathered in City Beach’s surf lifesaving club in early August for an industry forum to exchange expertise and the launch of two key WA trails planning documents.
Perenjori Hall

Report into Shire of Perenjori handed down

6 Aug 2019
The Western Australian Government today tabled the report detailing findings of the Authorised Inquiry into the Shire of Perenjori in State Parliament.
A general view of play during a Queensland Maroons State of Origin training session at HBF Park on June 19, 2019 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/Getty Images)

State Government secures another NRL team to call Perth home

6 Aug 2019
Reigning premiers the Sydney Roosters will become the latest NRL club to make Perth their temporary home, with the rugby league powerhouse set to play three matches at HBF Park from 2020-22.
A close-up photo of a rainbow guernsey signed by people.

Pride Sports Festival celebrates competition and participation

31 Jul 2019
Over 2000 athletes and spectators are expected to take part in the 2019 Pride Sports Festival in Perth this November, with the McGowan Government providing a $5000 grant to build on the success of last year's event.
Minister David Templeman with staff from the State Library of Western Australia.

Premier’s Book Award winners announced

26 Jul 2019
The winners of the 2018 Premier's Book Awards were announced at the State Library of Western Australia tonight, marking the beginning of a new era for the annual awards.
Audience at the State Library’s Disrupted Festival of Ideas

State Library’s Disrupted Festival of Ideas on this weekend

26 Jul 2019
This year the State Library's Disrupted Festival of Ideas will focus on the truth: can it be subjective, manipulated, changed by opinion and will it really set you free?
The Bulldogs and Storm players form a huddle in memory of Steve Folkes during the round one NRL match between the Canterbury Bulldogs and the Melbourne Storm at Perth Stadium on March 10, 2018 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/Getty Images)

State Government secures more NRL for Perth on the back of State of Origin success

23 Jul 2019
The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs will make Perth's HBF Park their temporary home for three matches over three seasons following the sell-out success of the recent State of Origin II match.
A closeup photo of the WA State Government coat of arms on Parliament House

Local Government Legislation Amendment Act 2019

9 Jul 2019

Departmental Circular 7 2019

​The Local Government Legislation Amendment Act 2019 has received Royal Assent with some of the amendments taking effect immediately. As such, all local governments need to take action now to ensure they continue to comply with the requirements of the Local Government Act 1995.
Minister Templeman wear VR goggles.

‘Game on’ at VR festival these school holidays

8 Jul 2019
It is 'game on' these school holidays with Western Australia's first ever virtual reality festival kicking off today (July 6).
Nicky Winmar poses with his statue during the Nicky Winmar statue unveiling at Optus Stadium on July 06, 2019 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Nicky Winmar statue unveiled at Optus Stadium

6 Jul 2019
A statue depicting Nicky Winmar's courageous stand against racism was unveiled at Optus Stadium today by the AFL great, Premier Mark McGowan and AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan.
Art Gallery of Western Australia, exterior

New interim leadership team for Art Gallery of Western Australia

5 Jul 2019
Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman has today announced a new interim leadership team will oversee the Art Gallery of Western Australia for a six-month period.
A woman writing on a post-it note on a whiteboard

Checking Status of Local Government Employees

4 Jul 2019

Departmental Circular 6 2018

The Auditor General has conducted a number of local government Performance Audits since the proclamation of the Local Government Amendment (Auditing) Act 2017.
Hand of a accounatant analysing line graph on computer screen

Local government auditing

4 Jul 2019

Departmental Circular 5 2019

Local governments are reminded of their audit reporting obligations under section 7.12A(4)(a) of the Local Government Act 1995.
Downtown Perth city skyline at twilight in Western Australia, Australia. - stock photo

Inquiry into the City of Perth prepares for first public examinations

29 Jun 2019
The Inquiry into the City of Perth is preparing for its first public examinations of witnesses, scheduled to commence in early August.
L-R: Jordan Gibbs (Culture Counts); Colin Walker (DLGSC); Professor Rick Cummings (Murdoch University); Marina Juesten (DLGSC); Michael Chappell (Culture Counts); Ben Fitzpatrick, Virginia Withers (City of Perth).

Culture Counts at IPAA awards

28 Jun 2019
The department and the City of Perth have received an Achievement Award from the Institute of Public Administration Australia (IPAA) WA for developing a shared evaluation framework within the Culture Counts system.
A stock image of a group of people meeting in a boardroom

Landmark local government reform brings councils into the 21st century

27 Jun 2019
Landmark local government reforms passed by State Parliament will bring councils into the 21st century as the first reforms resulting from the Local Government Act review.
2019 NAIDOC Music Awards

Nominate for the 2019 NAIDOC Music Awards

20 Jun 2019
Western Australian Aboriginal music artists are invited to apply to the 2019 NAIDOC Music Awards.
Female footballer holding a footbal

CSRFF focus on women’s facilities as demand surges

19 Jun 2019
Sport in Western Australia is set to benefit from an increased funding allocation to make facilities accessible to women in the latest round of the Community Sporting and Recreation Facilities Fund (CSRFF) program.
Minister David Templeman singing at new Fremantle venue Freo.Social

Fremantle venue brought to life

13 Jun 2019
An iconic Fremantle building has received a new lease of life after undergoing acoustic baffling and sound attenuation to reduce noise emissions.
​Wirrwul by Katie Ward/Warakurna Artists

History no mystery thanks to local governments

9 May 2019
The Shire of Broome, City of Cockburn and City of Kalamunda​ were among 17 local governments that helped showcase Aboriginal culture and history to their communities through Reconciliation Week celebrations.
Page reviewed 10 June 2022
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