Latest news with #JaysenMiguel
West Australian
4 days ago
- Sport
- West Australian
Bunbury gears up for ‘big weekender' of football and festivities
In the lead-up to Bunbury's first ever AFL premiership game, the city is gearing up for a weekend full of activities and events after months of anticipation. On Sunday June 8, North Melbourne will play the West Coast Eagles in a historic match at Hands Memorial Oval — the first time a venue in WA outside the metropolitan area will stage a game for premiership points. Bunbury mayor Jaysen Miguel said it was a 'huge moment' for the region, which would see locals and travellers out in force over the weekend. 'There's already a real buzz around the city and I know we're ready to put on a show,' he said. 'I'm excited for the Bunbury Big Weekender to bring people together — footy fans, families and visitors alike — and to celebrate our beautiful city. 'I encourage everyone to get involved, come down to the events and show the rest of the country what Bunbury's all about.' Here's how you can ride the wave of AFL mania right up until match day. THURSDAY JUNE 5 FOOTY PANEL TRACKSIDE LUNCH, BUNBURY TURF CLUB, 12pm-5.30pm Between 12pm and 5.30pm the Bunbury Turf Club is hosting the Footy Panel Trackside Lunch, with appearances from sports commentator Tim Gossage and former Eagles players Andrew Embley and Ross Glendinning. FRIDAY JUNE 6 HARVEY-BRUNSWICK-LESCHENAULT FC CLUB ROOMS, 3pm-6pm In a collaboration between North Melbourne and Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault Football Club, community members are invited to participate in a hands-on painting activity at the local club rooms. Members of North Melbourne will make appearances as the club is given a splash of colour. SATURDAY JUNE 7 CAPTAINS' RUN Spectators will have free entry into Hands Oval to watch the AFL clubs' open training sessions. North Melbourne's captain's run will be held from 9am-11am before West Coast's between 1pm and 2.30pm. SUNDAY JUNE 8 THE BATTLE FOR BUNBURY, FROM 9am Bicentennial Square will come alive for pre-game excitement, with food trucks, coffee vans, a big screen and a host of family friendly activities. There will be a meet and greet with West Coast's AFLW team, face painting, a temporary tattoo station, a wheelchair football exhibition at Koolambidi Woola and a 'kick across the channel' near Koombana Bridge. There will be free shuttle buses from Bunbury Bus Station to and from Hands Oval before and after the game. Gates open at 11.30am before the first bounce at 1.20pm
ABC News
19-05-2025
- ABC News
Bunbury business questions government priorities amid escalating crime
As Western Australia's biggest regional centre prepares to play host to major sporting events, the local business community is calling out a lack of funding and action on the city's underlying social issues. Theft, used needles on the footpath, and verbal abuse and threats against staff have become commonplace at Hillzeez Surf Shop in Bunbury's CBD. Store manager Ryan Callegari said staff were dealing with anti-social behaviour at least twice a week. The ABC has spoken to several other businesses in the CBD that are also concerned about safety. The City of Bunbury has grappled with anti-social behaviour in the CBD for years, even deploying non-stop Wiggles music at an outdoor music shell frequented by people sleeping rough, which it later stopped and apologised for. The same music shell was closed indefinitely last week for repairs after a 23-year-old man allegedly set fire to the structure. In a statement to the ABC, Bunbury Mayor Jaysen Miguel said the homeless community and anti-social behaviour in Bunbury were "completely different cohorts". He said the majority of homeless people in Bunbury were respectful and "doing what they can" to stay safe, regardless of their situation. "The city has formed the homelessness and housing solutions working group, which aims to advocate for state government funding to help increase housing in Bunbury," Cr Miguel said. Mr Callegari said it was wrong to fully blame anti-social behaviour on people experiencing homelessness, but he still believed the two societal issues were linked. Mr Callegari questioned the priorities of the state and local governments, which have spent millions attracting major sporting events to the $17 million Hands Oval. Despite community calls for state government funding, the city of 30,000 is still without a dedicated homelessness shelter. Homelessness support agency Accordwest chief executive Evan Nunn said the situation had remained unchanged for the past three to five years. "The Labor party has expressed they want to solve this problem; my view is that they need to discuss how they're going to do that," Mr Nunn said. "I plead with them to make it a priority and get on with a plan that's actionable, that provides funding to organisations and people that can get on and solve the problem." A state government spokesperson said more than $4.8 million had been provided to homelessness support services across the South West region, with 23 social homes recently delivered in Bunbury. Bunbury Police officer-in-charge Jeramy Davies said police met with the City of Bunbury in March to discuss safety in the CBD. He said increasing calls for action on the issue had been met with high-visibility police foot patrols and plans to introduce bike patrols. "We've got a zero tolerance for drug use, street drinking and anti-social behaviour, and we will always respond as quickly as we can." Mr Callegari said he "shuddered" to think where the Bunbury CBD would be in the next 10 years on the current trajectory. "We need to lower our eyes and ensure that these things are getting tackled in a really meaningful way," he said.
