The City of Canning has won the Cohesive Communities category at the 2022 National Local Government Awards for its Hillview Intercultural Community Centre.
The City of Canning’s population consists of 51 per cent of residents born overseas and 43 per cent of residents who speak a language other than English at home, making it the most culturally and linguistically diverse local government in Western Australia.
The Hillview Intercultural Community Centre was established to provide an inclusive community hub that facilitates connections and learning, and celebrates diversity.
City of Canning Mayor, Patrick Hall, said the Hillview Intercultural Community Centre opened its doors to the community on 14 February 2022.
“Hillview Intercultural Community Centre is an incredible space that is truly unique. It is the very first intercultural centre in Perth’s South East corridor. An intercultural centre is a place where everyone is welcome to learn about each other’s cultures,” Mayor Hall said.
“Thank you to everyone who voted for the Hillview Intercultural Community Centre and thank you to all City of Canning staff, grant funders, tenants and community groups for their contribution to this landmark community project,” Mayor Hall said.
In the lead up to the Centre’s opening, local residents were actively engaged in an in-depth process to ensure they played a key role in the development of the space. This included the establishment of a reference group with active participation from cultural leaders, school reps and residents.
“We can vividly see our contribution not only in the process and program, but also in the fit out of the centre – community oozes out of the bricks of Hillview,” a spokesperson for Stakeholder Reference Group said.
The Hillview Intercultural Community Centre has a number of meeting rooms, activity spaces, a commercial kitchen, main hall, and computer lab available for hire. Hillview has had a range of community-led events held here in the centre – from computer lab workshops to banquet dinners.
While it is still in its infancy, the hub is gaining a reputation as a vibrant space with a diverse array of activities from language classes, cultural events, social groups, topical workshops, symposiums to business forums and job readiness support.
