CITS Great Southern

Our CITS Regional Manager and Regional Officer for the Great Southern were honoured to attend the NRW Breakfast Broadcast in Kinjarling with Reconciliation WA, followed by the Great Southern Pilot RAP Launch. 2 powerful gatherings that brought community, truth‑telling, and commitment to the forefront.

The Great Southern Pilot RAP Launch marked a powerful national first. It was a milestone moment bringing community together to honour truth, culture, and the shared journey of reconciliation.

The artwork Our Heartland — Ngallak Koort Boodja (Our Heart Country), is a reminder of the deep physical and spiritual connection the Menang Noongar people hold with this land. Its story reflects the strength, resilience, and enduring custodianship that continues to guide us.

During Reconciliation Week, we pay respect to Menang Elders past and present, and we reaffirm our responsibility to listen, learn, and walk together toward a future shaped by understanding and shared purpose.

Fast times run in the family in Denmark. 🏃‍♀️

Ginger Gleeson is already turning heads on the track with a number of state and national golds.

But there’s one record sitting closer to home than most; one set by her coach, mentor and mother, former national champion Rebecca Gleeson.

The Gleesons are supported through the WA Government’s Regional Athlete Support Program, delivered by the Great Southern Academy of Sport, helping regional athletes and coaches stay local while aiming high.

Read the full story here: https://bit.ly/4f0mka5

This week we proudly marked the 26th anniversary of the Mike Stidwell Medal, honouring exceptional volunteer service in sport administration across the Great Southern.

🏅 Congratulations to Darren Berry, this year’s Mike Stidwell Medal recipient! Darren’s unwavering dedication to community basketball has strengthened the sport at every level — building pathways, lifting the Albany region’s sporting profile, and championing sustainable, community‑focused growth. His impact is felt far beyond the court.

🏑 We also celebrated Ray Squibb, awarded the Great Southern Service to Sport Award for his decades of commitment to the Tambellup Hockey Club and the wider hockey community. Ray has been a driving force for participation, opportunity and connection, all while taking the field himself with trademark enthusiasm.

This special evening at the Albany Entertainment Centre was the perfect way to kick off National Volunteer Week, Australia’s largest celebration of volunteering. This year’s theme, ‘Connecting Communities’, is a powerful reminder of the vital role volunteers play in bringing people together and strengthening wellbeing across our region.

💙 A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us, including Jill Stidwell, Siobhan Hepworth, and past recipients of both awards. Your continued support helps keep the spirit of community sport alive.

Here’s to the volunteers who give their time, passion and heart — you are the backbone of sport in the Great Southern.

Learn more ➡️ https://bit.ly/42QXHFp

💙 Happy National Volunteer Week to volunteers across WA!

Every year, people across the state give their time to support local organisations, services and community life. It adds up to nearly 400 million hours of generosity.

This week is about recognising the impact volunteers make across our communities. That includes supporting initiatives that celebrate volunteer legends and help them thrive where they give their time. 🙌

Learn more and take a moment to recognise the volunteers who make a difference in our community ➡️ https://bit.ly/495vluK

⛹️‍♀️ Game On, Girls supports community‑led ideas that help teenage girls get involved and stay involved in sport and active recreation.

The program is designed to increase participation and retention for girls aged 13 to 17 by backing projects that create safe, welcoming and empowering environments.

If your club has a project in mind to increase participation in girls at your local club, please reach out to the Participation Team or contact your local Regional Office to chat through your project before submission.

is a time to recognise the positive contribution young people make across Western Australia. Supporting girls to participate, build skills, lead and connect through sport is one way we do that.

📅 Applications close 26 April 2026

Learn more: ➡️ https://ow.ly/SIW150YJi57

⏰ Got a Kids Access All Areas voucher?

If your family received a voucher in round 1, make sure you claim your rebate by 31 May 2026.

🎫Purchase your ticket at one of 100+ approved locations
📲 Claim through the ServiceWA app
🎟 Upload your tax invoice from your ticket purchase
💸 Receive your rebate

There will be more opportunities to get involved, with round 2 opening later in 2026. Keep an eye on our socials and the ServiceWA app for updates.

Learn more ➡️ https://ow.ly/Eeuu50YIxvi

Big boost for community sport across Western Australia! 🎉

A huge calendar of competitions, festivals and mass participation events across metro and regional WA will be delivered by 51 local organisations which will receive support through the Sport and Recreation Events Funding Program.

From major swims and runs to national championships, this investment helps bring communities together, supports local clubs and attracts visitors to regional towns and this funding helps make sure people across WA have more opportunities to get active, get involved and experience outstanding local events.💙🏃‍♀️🏄‍♂️🚴‍♂️

🔗 Find out more: https://ow.ly/kklw50YxpOC

📷 Image credit:

Big creative opportunities for regional Aboriginal artists are open now! 🎨🌾

Regional Aboriginal Arts Development grants are open for projects that support Aboriginal arts and cultural activities in regional and remote Western Australia, helping share First Nations stories, build skills and create jobs in local communities.

Funding is available for creative development of significant Aboriginal art works, and for business development and capacity building for Aboriginal arts organisations.

Applications close 4 pm on 7 May 2026.

🔗 Find out more and apply ➡️ https://ow.ly/UHK150Yv5Rr

🎉💪 It's game on for girls across Western Australia!

Sporting clubs across the State can now apply for the WA Government's latest program Game On, Girls, with grants of up to $5,000 to help teenage girls stay active, confident and connected through community sport.

The initiative supports clubs to create inclusive and empowering environments that break down the barriers stopping girls from playing the sports they love. 💜⚽️🏀

It comes during the WA Government’s campaign, celebrating women and girls’ participation in sport this March and the vital role in WA’s sporting landscape.

If your club is ready to help more girls stay in the game, apply now.

Learn more: https://ow.ly/jL0n50YuyIC

🏃‍♂️💙 From coaching junior teams to running the canteen and organising weekend fixtures, volunteers are the heart of community sport.

Across WA, around 320,000 volunteers help keep community sport running and bring people together every week.

The WA Government has launched the WA Local Sporting Stars Volunteer Recognition Program to celebrate these incredible volunteers and their impact on grassroots sport.

Delivered with SportWest, Seven West Media and Spudshed the program will recognise volunteers who lead, include, innovate and support their clubs in countless ways.

Every fortnight, 2 winners will be celebrated in The West Australian, receive a $400 voucher and go into the running for the 2026 Local Sporting Star of the Year award. 🎉

🔗Find out more and nominate your local sporting star: https://ow.ly/1gBE50YteSX