It’s going to be a big year for newcomers Mandurah Shape, a group dedicated to space activation around the city that was formed mid-2016.
Chairperson Candice di Prinzio said it was going to be exciting and a lot of work.
Shape was formed out of a council tender won by Shape’s president David Snyder, whose idea appealed to the City of Mandurah’s interest in communities like Mt Lawley where space activation had huge success.
“They’ve seen this work through places like the City of Vincent, the Mt Hawthorn Hub, the Beaufort Street Festival, and wondered whether it could work in Mandurah,” Ms di Prinzio said.
She said the group would focus on bringing under-utilized areas of Mandurah to life.
“If we’ve got any laneways, any dead zones, if there’s any links to the city centre that don’t flow properly… what can we do,” she said.
“So we’re kind of excited because we can push through some things without having to go through bureaucracy, and the council are onside, they’re actually funding certain things.”
Already in store for 2017 is: Mandurah’s own Prototype Festival; Mandurah ‘Soups’, where community members can pitch new ideas to Shape for the opportunity to try them out; ‘Good Nights’, a series of outdoor music events; and a food truck market.
Ultimately, Ms di Prinzio said she hopes Shape can help develop the culture in Mandurah, and improve community engagement.
“Mandurah’s idenity is one which is kind of a halfway house: we’ve got the sleepy environment of retirees and holidays, we’ve got a near link with rockingham and the bogan connotation, and then we’ve got what it actually is when you’re here: it’s a beautiful space to be in,” she said.
“As soon as a community feels inclusive and not disjointed, only positive can come from that.”
Shape Mandurah is still looking for proactive community members to join their committee, help volunteer, or even just to pitch ideas in line with Shape’s goals.
For more information or to get involved, contact Ms di Prinzio at candice@diprinzio.com.au