Governor gets 'out and about'
WA Governor Malcolm McCusker visited Katanning and Tambellup last week to meet community members and organisations.
The Governor, accompanied by wife and philanthropist Tonya and Young Australian of the Year Akram Azimi, visited the two shires on Wednesday and Thursday after having toured Albany and Mt Barker earlier in the week.
Mr McCusker said it was important that in his role as governor he did not “just sit in Perth”.
“It’s important to visit all the regional centres and we’re in the process of doing that,” he said. “By travelling out you really get a great understanding of the issues facing the communities, we had a great visit to the lake (Ewlyamartup) today,” Mrs McCusker said.
One of the main focuses of the visit was the awareness campaign called Kids Who Give set up by the McCuskers, of which Mr Azimi is a mentor.
“We’re particularly keen to talk to primary school students to have them understand the importance of giving,” Mr McCusker said.
“We’re hoping to highlight children who are doing great things and encourage others to follow their lead.”
Katanning Primary School principal Anita Wills said the trio’s visit was positive.
They attended a school assembly and met student councillors from KPS and Braeside Primary School.
“The children were honoured to meet the Governor,” Ms Wills said.
“A lot of the students had been learning about the role of the governor and about the Young Australian of the Year in class.”
The official party also visited the Katanning Regional Sheep Saleyards project, Katanning Senior High School, met Shire councillors and people involved with Supertowns before a tour of the town, taking in the mosque and Katanning Town Hall project.
Shire of Broomehill-Tambellup president Barry Webster said the McCuskers and Mr Azimi visited Tambellup Primary School students and the local Community Resource Centre before meeting Shire representatives, local community leaders, St John Ambulance, police and volunteers.
“They went to Albany, a large regional area, then Tambellup, a small town, before Katanning, a regional centre, so he has seen first hand the different issues,” Mr Webster said.
“They talked about how they could help.”
