You're invited to a weekend of fun and adventure at the award-winning Coogee Live free community festival, taking place from 11-12 March at Omeo Park and Coogee Beach Reserve.

Here are a few highlights from the program:

• City of Cockburn Community Lantern Parade
• The Great Mermaid Migration
• Merv's Crazy Crab races
• Little Land pop-up
• Arty Pots pottery painting
• The Great Cake Off
• Live performances and more.

To see what else is on and stay up to date with timings and activities, visit the official website or follow the Coogee Live Facebook page.
 

It's simple — by completing our online Community Scorecard. This annual survey helps us to understand how the community feels about the services and facilities delivered in the City of Cockburn.

The results, together with other information, help the City and Council evaluate and adjust its priorities and programs to deliver on our promise to make Cockburn the best place to be. 

This survey closes 17 February 2023 and results will be published on the City’s website, in this eNewsletter, and via social media in August 2023. If you have any questions, please call 9411 3444.
 

To improve the safety and sense of security amongst our community, we are increasingly using advanced forms of technology, including:

• Drones: for beach patrols, illegal off-road vehicles, firebreak inspections, and to monitor hazard reduction burnings.
• Parking sensors in Port Coogee: to free up the space for more users, and the data allows us to plan for future parking. Soon, you will be able to check online if any car spaces are available before leaving home.
• License plate recognition cameras: with police access to our system, cameras increase offender detection and improve safety around schools and busy areas.
• CCTV live monitoring: we monitor over 500 CCTV cameras around the City from our control room, and can send out officers immediately if a situation arises.

Some of the most dynamic people and places providing and facilitating volunteering in the City of Cockburn have again shone at our annual Australia Day Community Citizen of the Year Awards.
 
The overall title of Community Citizen of the Year for 2023 has gone to Serena Gamble, who has volunteered more than 1,500 hours and helped about 3,120 households in her community over the past three years.
 
Passionate animal lover and bushfire brigade volunteer James Wild (not pictured) was named the Youth (under 25 years) Community Citizen of the Year.
 
Co-founder of the Friends of the Community 15 years ago, and current Secretary and Treasurer, Serene Anderson, is this year’s Senior (over 65 years) Community Citizen of the Year.

Yangebup Family Centre, which empowers a dedicated team of more than 70 volunteers, has received the Active Citizenship – Group or Event award for 2023.

Congratulations to our deserving recipients, who continue to demonstrate how volunteers hold communities together, through thick and thin. 
 

Do you have an idea for a project or service that could benefit the Cockburn community? Let us help you to make it a reality.  

Through the Cockburn Community Fund, the City offers over $1 million in funding to local groups, organisations and individuals every year — in amounts ranging from hundreds of dollars to tens of thousands.  

Applications open on Monday 13 February and close on Friday 24 March 2023. 
 

Ever wondered what happens at the Cockburn Seniors Centre? Come along to the open day on Friday 24 February and find out!  

Try-out some of the group activities like Mah-jong, pool or darts. There's free tea and coffee and if you feel peckish you can purchase fish and chips from the café on site.  

Open 10am-2pm and free parking. Find out more: www.cockburn.wa.gov.au/events or call the Seniors Centre on 08 9411 3877.
 

A fish diversity study in March 2022 has revealed 71 finish species at Port Coogee Marina, including 13 not previously recorded in the inaugural 2019 survey.

The interim results of the March 2022 survey recorded a wide variety of fish and non-fish fauna including a school of juvenile WA salmon, an Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin, a Star Octopus, a Giant Australian Cuttlefish and five species of Seastars.

The observations are further evidence the marina is a haven for sea life of all kinds and follows the sighting of a juvenile Loggerhead Sea Turtle by a marina team member last June.

The results are further proof the City’s internationally accredited marina is a healthy environment where sea life thrives.
 

If you've decided 2023 is the year you want to start your volunteering journey, then our 'Step into Volunteering' sessions will give you the confidence and knowledge to find a great volunteer role suited to you. 

Our free workshop will provide you information on: 

• The benefits of volunteering 
• What opportunities are out there 
• What skills you need 
• Yours rights and responsibilities 

Join us on Wednesday 15 February from 1pm at Spearwood Library, 9 Coleville Crescent, Spearwood. Please register or find out more information by emailing: volunteering@cockburn.wa.gov.au or call the Volunteer Resource Centre on 08 9411 3490.

Pop-up stalls at Cockburn Libraries 

We also have pop-up stalls in our libraries throughout the year, with the first pop-up on Wednesday 1 February at Coolbellup Library, from 10am until midday. If you’ve got questions about volunteering, our pop-up stalls are where you can find the answers.