Dawesville MLA Lisa Munday, Minister for Peel Hon. Jessica Stojkovski MLA, Mayor Caroline Knight, and Mandurah MLA Rhys Williams cut the ribbon at the opening event.
Mandurah’s brand-new community hub has officially opened its doors, with the multi-purpose building set to support a growing population in the city’s south and welcome a range of local groups.
The Dawesville Community Centre on Woodstock Avenue was officially opened on Sunday by Minister for Peel Hon. Jessica Stojkovski MLA, Dawesville MLA Lisa Munday and Mandurah Mayor Caroline Knight.
It features a large communal hall, flexible office spaces for a range of services, a big kitchen and function area, and playground and recreation areas for young people and families to enjoy.
It has also received an Aboriginal name, Djilba-Wardarn Bo, meaning ‘the place where it is not far from the estuary to the ocean’. This dual naming initiative reflects the City’s ongoing commitment to cultural recognition and reconciliation, acknowledging the significance of the Bindjareb people in the region.
The Dawesville Community Centre has been funded by the State Government ($6.237million) plus a Lotterywest grant ($2.650million), with the City of Mandurah managing the facility’s operations.
Mayor Caroline Knight said the centre would be a hub for the community both now and into the future. “I am immensely proud that our new community centre is now open. This is a huge win for people in Dawesville and our southern suburbs and provides even more opportunities for our community to come together,” Mayor Knight said.
“Dawesville has experienced population growth over the past 15 years, and the current population is projected to double to 15,000 in the next 10 years. As part of the City’s long-term strategic planning, we found that Dawesville and suburbs in our south needed community facilities to support this growth.
“We are grateful to the State Government, and Lotterywest, for recognising the needs of our Dawesville residents and working with us on this much-needed project."
Lisa Munday MLA, Member for Dawesville, said “It’s a real pleasure to officially open this incredible new facility for the Dawesville community”. “This centre isn’t just a building, it’s a place for locals to connect, access support, and enjoy a range of activities in a vibrant and inclusive environment.
“As one of the fastest-growing areas in the Peel region, Dawesville deserves spaces that reflect its energy and future potential. This project is about creating the foundations for a strong, connected, and thriving community."
The Dawesville area has the second highest percentage of school age children in Mandurah and is forecast to have the highest growth across most age groups, highlighting the need to ensure services and activities are available for all ages in Mandurah’s south.
The opening event included a special art exhibition showcasing artists from Dawesville and surrounding areas, which will be on show in the centre’s foyer until 19 September, with viewing times from 10am-2pm Monday to Friday. The centre will host an exciting lineup of children’s activities from 1-12 October as part of the City of Mandurah Arts Festival program (12 September – 12 October 2025).
