Celebrity Cricket Event

Everyone at Fairbridge is getting ready for our biggest events of the year. Brass’n’Stumps will feature some of Western Australia’s most popular sportspeople. A celebrity 20/20 cricket match will be held, with lots of other entertainment also provided. Brass’n’Stumps will be held on the 2^nd of April 2011 at Fairbridge Village, Pinjarra. All funds raised will go towards Fairbridge's sports development program.

For more information head to www.brassnstumps.com.au

New Arrivals at Fairbridge

Fairbridge Village is celebrating the arrival of four new baby peacocks!!

Fairbridge Graduation

Pictured above: Fairbridge Chief Executive Office Mark Anderson, William Newberry Scholarship Award Winner Craig Burnham and His Excellency, the Governor of WA and Fairbridge Patron, Dr Kenneth Micheal.

Fairbridge Western Australia celebrated the graduation of its trainees and apprentices on the 15th of December 2010.

His Excellency, the Governor of WA and Fairbridge Patron, Dr Kenneth Michael attended to present the prestigious William Newberry Scholarship Award.

Craig Burnham, 24, recieved the award which goes to one trainee or apprentice each year who has succeeded even when the odds were stacked against them.

The graduation was held on the Fairbridge Village town site.

Permaculture Garden?

There are many perks about Fairbridge. And there are even many more perks when it comes to working with the village. Although I am in Marketing and Public Relations whenever I step out of my office to interview someone or take photos for press releases I always end up learning something new about both my job and something totally different. And today it was what a permaculture garden is.

Nestled in the back corner of Fairbridge Village is where the Conservation and Land Management (CALM) trainees have been busy learning about how to manage the environment. As soon I arrived I was greeted by the hard working students who were busy gardening.

However I was soon to learn that they just weren't gardening. They were building a permaculture garden. They informed me that a permaculture garden is self sufficient. It is a method of producing food (I saw some snow pea and corn) in a closed loop that feeds it self.

I can't wait to taste the food and I am now inspired to grow my own veggies at home!

Darryl Darcy

Fairbridge CEO Mark Anderson takes his dog, Jessie, to be washed by Darryl.


Last week I had a very inspiring conversation with Darryl Darcy. Darryl was supported for several years by Fairbridge’s ENCLAVE program, a program that gives young people with disabilities a job.

The ENCLAVE workers are employed to help maintain the grounds at the village. This is more than just a job for participants though. It is way for these young people to feel a sense of accomplishment, gain some responsibility and meet new friends. These opportunities are often not given to the young people outside the ENCLAVE program due to the nature of their disabilities.

While speaking to Darryl Darcy about his new business, Sandy’s Dog Wash, I couldn’t help but feel inspired by his story. He said that the ENCLAVE program and the Fairbridge community had given him the self belief, confidence and had enlightened him to his love of dogs. He said he wouldn’t have ever started his own business and realised his potential if it wasn’t for Fairbridge. But at the end of the day the program is there to help him. He needed to have the character to respond to the help and turn his newfound confidence into something wonderful. And he has done that.

I was warmed by his story, his personality and his ability to start his own business. Something many people would not have the confidence to do.

Fairbridge Staff Tour

On my first official day back at Fairbridge Western Australia, Pinjarra and I was surprised to find out I could get out of the office and go on a tour of Fairbridge Village, led by Chief Executive Mark Anderson.


The tour started along the Avenue of Trees, an idea that was inspired by the lemon scented gum trees at Kings Park and people wanting to become a permanent part of the work of Fairbridge. These trees not only welcome visitors to Fairbridge but the avenue tells the stories of individuals or families or the a tree is dedicated to the memory of someone.


As we entered the end of the driveway Mark Anderson informed us that Fairbridge was the site of the first legal drag strip in W.A. He said that the Fairbridge farm school kids used to sit on the roofs of the cottages and watch the cars drag.


We were also informed that the same space was also used in WWII as an airfield, and there were not many photos of this because it was a secret airfield. Mark Anderson also mentioned that Fairbridge has the highest number of ex-residents enlist in the armed forces from any Australian educational institution in Australia therefore Anzac Day was a very important event to Old Fairbridgians.


I was only five minutes into the tour and I'd already learnt a lot about the historical significance of Fairbridge. I had no idea what had gone on around that driveway even though I had drove down it every day over the summer.


Mark Anderson also showed us the cottage that the Queen Mother stayed in when she visited Fairbridge in 1927 and he lets us know the last Royal visitor was Prince Charles in 1975. The tour also included stories, a visit to the Historic Fairbridge Chapel were we attempted to ring the bell in the chapel.


Whilst we were driving I was very excited to see Kangaroos just past the maintenance building! It was the first time I'd seen a Kangaroo on the Fairbridge site. Mark Anderson told us that there was a family of Kangaroos that lived on this space, so now I know where to go if I want to see one.


This tour was a perfect opportunity to meet some of the new staff at Fairbridge and it was a warm welcome back to the Fairbridge community.

School Holiday Activities

It seems like just last week I was preparing for the July school holiday and already now the October Holidays will soon be upon us. This is going to be the 3rd school holiday program i've put together now and already i am quite excited. To me the school holiday activities we run aren't just about having fun; although i must say that i've never seen a kid go home unhappy from anything we have done here. The school holiday activities are a chance for kids to come along and build up confidence aswell as overcome fears they may have while building up new friendships along the way.
So for parents not sure whether to be sending there kids along to Fairbridge for the next school holidays i would highly reccomend it. Not only does it help develop the childs ability but its a great way to get kids off video games and outside for some physical excercise.

Artist-in-Residence

This is the first time I have been into/onto a blog and after the convoluted application process to get the google account--finally I'm here.

I have been at Fairbridge village for three months now and settling in quite well. It really is an idyllic place to be based.

I have just curated the second exhibition in the gallery, containing photographs by Danielle Williams of Dwellingup. The third exhibition is for the benefit of Mental Health Week--which is the first week in October.

With the gallery operating quite smoothly, I am now attending to the other tasks on my list. An updated inventory system for the art/crafts in the gift shop and getting the proposals submitted for future classes and workshops.

I am excited for the future of the Arts Precinct at Fairbridge and am delighted to be part of it's development. JaneMc Artist-in-Residence

Enter our photo competition!

How gorgeous is this pic of the world-famous Fairbridge Chapel, taken by a Halls Head Community College student. Just stunning! Every time I see pics like this it reminds me of why our Fairbridge Village is so popular for weddings, events, conferences, camps and quality budget accommodation. Love it!

Do you have a nice pic of Fairbridge? Maybe you're keen to take one? Well you have until mid August to snap away and enter Fairbridge’s photo contest. All entrants win a prize just by entering the competition and will vie for major prizes. Photographers can visit our Pinjarra-based historical village on South West Highway to take photos.

We're especially looking for interesting compositions and photos that feature Fairbridge visitors, staff and volunteers. For terms and conditions and an entry form visit www.fairbridge.asn.au and go to Downloads or call me on on 0438 338 803!

Can't wait to see what you come up with!!

Kelvin changes his life to provide for his family

When Kelvin came to Fairbridge Western Australia in October 2008 he didn’t know what he wanted to do – only that he wanted to change his life to be an example to his son and provide for his family.

Kelvin says before Fairbridge, he really struggled to find work.

“Fairbridge has helped me turn my life around and now I am doing what I love and have a career,” he said.

He was initially enrolled in the Certificate II Conservation & Land Management and during the course found his passion for maintenance and construction. He was offered a place in the National Pilot Indigenous Building Maintenance Traineeship Initiative launched at Fairbridge in April 2009 by the Training Minister.

In April this year the Minister presented Kelvin with his graduation certificate along with more than 40 other graduates from Fairbridge’s programs. On the same day Kelvin was signed up in a Fairbridge carpentry apprenticeship.

“I felt proud to graduate in front of my partner and family and in a few years I will be graduating as a carpenter thanks to Fairbridge,” Kelvin says. “Fairbridge took the time to help me find a way forward, to succeed and find something I love doing. I want to be able to provide for my family and for my children to be proud of me. Thanks to Fairbridge, this can now happen. Since being at Fairbridge Kelvin’s family continues to grow, with a third child on the way.

Kelvin is being trained by Josh Billing, who was Fairbridge’s first indigenous carpenter. Kelvin says his aim is to one day be doing Josh’s job.

“I have been able to make lots of friends at Fairbridge and seeing other boys get through the program has really helped me on the way.”