Media releases

CAN WA in partnership wins a 2009 multicultural community services award

The Reel Connections partnership between City of Stirling, CAN WA, Filmbites Youth Film School, WA Police and City of Wanneroo was awarded the 2009 Multicultural Community Service Award on Tuesday, 1 December at Government House.

The Multicultural Community Service Awards honour the positive contributions that individuals and organisations have made in the lives of WA people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

CAN WA has a successful history of partnering with local governments to facilitate community arts based programs for young people. The Reel Connections partnership is aimed at assisting young people in the areas of Mirrabooka, Balga and Girrawheen with an emphasis on Indigenous people and newly arrived migrants. Young people are presented with the opportunity to work with professional artists, develop their skills and consider the arts as a career option through nationally accredited training opportunities. The artforms explored by the participants include animation, make up artistry, gaming, urban art, Capoeira and photography, as well as short filmmaking, acting and editing skills with Filmbites Youth Film School.

The partnership has seen a number of positive outcomes for participants and the community through arts and culture including increased social interaction and engagement, developed technical skills in the arts and a new awareness of employment and training opportunities.

Citizenship and Multicultural Interests Minister John Castrilli presented the Award to the Reel Connections partners stating, "The awards promote cultural diversity as an international, economic and social asset for Western Australia" and congratulated all nominees for the positive difference they had made in the lives of so many WA people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

 Image credit> Reel Connections partners with Minister John Castrilli.

Previous releases

CAN WA honoured at the 2009 AbaF Awards (PDF 505kb)

CAN WA receives $330,000 in funds through Royalties for Regions grant scheme (PDF 216kb)

Rock Hole Long Pipe: book launch (PDF 127kb)

Voices of the Wheatbelt: photography book and exhibition launch (PDF 105kb)

Media enquiries

For media enquiries and interviews, please contact Bec Speidel, Communications Officer at bec@canwa.com.au or contact CAN WA on 9226 2422.