Lakelands Shopping Centre has now opened its doors and, in a step showing it’s not your usual shopping centre, invited the local community to celebrate the achievements of some local heroes.
Lakelands residents were asked to nominate a community member who had shown a positive contribution to the area above and beyond the norm.
The finalists were narrowed down to three: Lakelands P and C president Megan Turner, Ending Homelessness in WA organiser Ma Rollo and XYY Syndrome awareness advocate Amber Gilkes, with final votes being tallied through a Facebook competition.
Ma Rollo was declared the winner in the end, with her tireless work in supporting and re-homing Mandurah and Lakelands’ homeless being recognised.
Ms Rollo, who was homeless herself at one point, was visibly moved by the recognition.
“Overwhelmed, that’s the first thing I felt,” Ms Rollo said.
“I’m just so overwhelmed that this many people actually know about the work we do; we’re not just in the background all the time.
“It’s not going to change anything about what we do, or why and how we do it.
“But it’s just incredible to have all these people thanking us.”
Having experienced homelessness herself, Ms Rollo and her husband Jackson have been helping the homeless for over five years, with a strong focus on getting people off the street and into safe accommodation.
Looking at the source of the problems people experience, Ma and Jackson try to end their cycle of homelessness.
“Our Local Heroes campaign is about recognising the great people in our community,” Lakelands retail manager Christine Gerstmayr said.
“We are joining their community, so it’s important for us to get to know them better and to acknowledge the great things they do.”
The campaign marked both the launch of the Lakelands Shopping Centre, and the beginning of what is hoped to be a strong conneciton with the local community.
Featuring a childcare centre, library and social spaces as well as retail stores, the centre aims to be more than just a place to shop.
“Clearly we’re these are businesses, but we’ve paid a lot of attention to what these community needs,” marketing manager Amanda Clark said.
“Obviously, families are the big thing here; Lakelands is rapidly growing into a family-centered community.
“So most of the things that have driven how we’ve laid out the centre revolve around the idea of family.
“It’s a casual space that doesn’t force anything. There’s spaces where you can stop and talk, and where the kids can spend time, because that’s what we truly believe our customers want.”
Lakelands Shopping Centre continues the opening festivities on Thursday June 29 with a Food Truck Park in the carpark from 6 to 9pm, including a kids game zone and live music.
On Saturday July 1 97.3 Coast FM will broadcast from the centre from 10am to 2pm.
Lakelands Outdoor Cinema will be providing a free screening of Night at the Museum, with the outdoor bar serving snacks and drinks from 6 to 9pm on the same night.
