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CEO Update | Albany Hwy Revitalisation
Terracotta Warriors | Life-Sciences Funding Open|
Plus Eight Innovators| 2025 Power 500 |
All Saints Young Minds| ECU Impact Report|
More Hong Kong Flight Routes
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Kaya, Nan Koort djerpin – Hello and my heart is full as I write this month’s Perth Update. The reason for my happiness is threefold:
1. Perth is alive with things to do, honestly this is ‘normally’ the time that Perth is quiet! However, this year it is not the case. On Wednesday 25th June, the AMAZING Terracotta Warriors exhibition opened at WA Museum Boola Bardip. Perth is the only place in Australia where this groundbreaking exhibition will take place. It runs until 22 February 2026 so there is no reason to miss it. Find out more below.
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Additionally, Perth welcomed the British and Irish Lions Tour Australia 2025 with the first match played on 28th June against the Western Force at Optus Stadium to a sell out crowd in the sunshine. Perth really put its best foot forward to visitors and home fans alike. The buzz around the CBD and beyond was palpable.
It was fantastic to learn about Perth Festival’s direct economic impact announcement of $19.2m, according to the Culture Counts report. It also highlighted that attendance rose by 100,000 and celebrated the new venue utilised at East Perth Power Station. We are excited to see how this venue could be transformed to a vibrant precinct, like power stations across the globe such as Battersea Power Station and in Warsaw, the Elektrownia Powisle for the liveability of Perth.
2. Our three Committee for Perth working groups have launched and are in full swing. These include Decarbonisation, Densification and Economic Diversification. I am excited to see the ideas and opportunities that these membership groups develop during 2025, with an update happening at the Perth 2050 Summit. There is still time to get involved, so let me know if you are interested.
and...
3. We have set the date for the full day Perth 2050 Summit for the 22 October at Crown Perth. The Summit follows the November 2024 launch of the Perth 2050 Report developed with Dr Ben Hamer and Scitech highlighting the 10 priorities for Perthites. The report showed that although nearly 70% of those surveyed are excited about the future only 22% feel Perth is prepared for 2050. 1 January 2050 is now just 8,980 days away and the clock is ticking. The Summit will open with an address from Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson - Minister for Energy and Decarbonisation; Manufacturing; Skills and TAFE; Pilbara to set the scene for our decarbonised future and the skills and training required to get us there. Stay tuned for the full program with more details to emerge over coming weeks. In the meantime make sure you 'Save the Date' and if you have any expert speakers or facilitators, please share that with me.
Together we can create a bold vision for Greater Perth in 2050. Halfway through 2025, we have our new branding and marketing campaign launched, 14 events completed, 10 newsletters published, 16 new members plus many external events attended with member meetings organised. It has been a great time to be in Perth working with members to champion a greater Perth each and every day.
Best wishes,
Paula Rogers Chief Executive Officer Committee for Perth |
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Artwork by Dr Richard Walley OAM |
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29 May to 23 August, Thursdays to Saturdays – Light Source held at the new Joondalup Contemporary Art Gallery is exhibiting the City’s art collection, exploring light and its creative use across sculpture, installation, photography, printmaking, video and painting.
5 July to 20 July – School’s Out Winter Fest. Perth’s favourite indoor winter festival is back at the Perth Convention & Exhibition Centre. It’s bigger, better and snowier than ever!
5 July to 12 July - Alice in Wonderland by West Australian Ballet enchants audiences this July school holiday, delivering a dazzling fusion of dance, puppetry, bold costumes, and whimsical sets, perfect for kids and families to tumble down the rabbit hole together at Crown Theatre, Burswood.
11 July to 13 July 2025 - Truffles Extravaganza will be held at Fremantle Markets, brought to you by Great Southern Truffles. For one weekend only, indulge in all things truffle including interesting tastings and culinary creations. Live entertainment for the whole family.
11 July to 12 July – The Ageing Well Expo at the Perth Convention Centre covers all aspects of ageing with over 80 exhibitors helping seniors understand financial planning, home care planning, cybercrime, nutrition, staying active and more. 16 July to 20 July – For those close to Hillarys, the Hillarys Snowgrounds Winter Wonderland is being held on the Hillarys Boardwalk featuring snow over the amphitheatre, magical bubble igloos and enchanting snow fairies.
18 July to 20 July 2025 – A cornucopia of culinary delights continues throughout July at the annual Good Food & Wine Show at the Perth Convention & Exhibition Centre. Sample some of the nation’s tastiest produce and watch your favourite food heroes cook up a storm. July 2 to July 13 – Revelation Perth International Film Festival is entering its 28th year showcasing independent international and Australian and experimental films now showing at Luna Cinemas in Leederville. July 2025 – Across Perth waterways
Nature alert: South-Western snake-necked turtles are hatching and making their first foray into the world, so keep an eye out!
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ALBANY HIGHWAY SET FOR A VIBRANT TRANSFORMATION |
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Picture this: Albany Highway, one of Perth’s longest high streets, is set to evolve into a vibrant, tree-lined cultural corridor stretching from the Swan River to St James. In June, the Town of Victoria Park gave the green light to the Albany Highway Precinct Structure Plan after years of community input. The plan divides the area into six unique sub-precincts including the Causeway, Victoria Park, Central, East Victoria Park, East End, and St James.
The plan also rolls out better public transport access, safer bike lanes, wider footpaths, and refreshed streetscapes aimed at creating lively community spaces that locals will truly love. As a proud Committee for Perth member, the Town of Victoria Park is championing a future-focused, community-led renewal. The plan now heads to the WA Planning Commission, so stay tuned to find out more.
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TERRACOTTA WARRIORS ARRIVE IN PERTH |
In a world-first exhibition for Western Australia, the awe-inspiring Terracotta Warriors have arrived at member organisation WA Museum Boola Bardip. Opening 28 June until 22 February 2026, Terracotta Warriors: Legacy of the First Emperor brings together more than 225 artefacts from ancient China. “It’s hard to put into words how significant this is,” said Alec Coles, CEO of WA Museum Boola Bardip. “Seventy per cent of these objects have never been to Australia before, and 40% have never left China.”
The exhibition explores the life and legacy of China's first emperor. From life-sized clay soldiers, bronze swans and vessels to painted cavalry figures, rare gold ornaments and newly unearthed treasures, this is a deeply immersive experience into China’s first emperor and Chinese history. Do not miss the chance to witness one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th century which many are calling the “eighth wonder of the world”, right here in Perth.
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CALLS FOR LIFE SCIENCES FUNDING - APPLY NOW! |
The Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation (JTSI) soon to be known as Department of Energy and Economic Diversification (DEED) are currently funding new opportunities which is now open until funds run out. This includes:
Market Access Grant Scheme – Up to $5,000 per WA health or medical life sciences SME to help cover travel costs for attending national or international conferences and industry events.
Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) Scheme – Offers up to $10,000 in sponsorship for WA life science organisations to bring in overseas or interstate experts for a short-term residency.
Accelerator Program Access Grants (APAG) – Provides senior or executive managers with up to $20,000 to participate in recognised national or international incubators, accelerators, or business training programs. |
HELPING WA'S BRIGHTEST IDEAS RIGHT HERE AT HOME |
Plus Eight is celebrating its 10th year of backing WA start‑ups, investing more than $3.7 million and nurturing a portfolio now valued at over $187 million. In 2025, 16 innovative teams were selected from 83 applicants, covering everything from AI training tools and clean energy tech to wellness and gaming platforms. Top performers in the first phase, compete for their share of $700,000 in seed funding and an international immersion trip to Austin, Texas, nurturing WA’s brightest ideas while preparing them for the world stage.
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WHO'S LEADING PERTH FORWARD? THE 2025 POWER 500 |
Business News has unveiled its 2025 Power 500, spotlighting WA’s most influential figures. Topping the list is Premier Roger Cook and Treasurer Rita Saffioti, while 85 new names have been included from tech, green energy, arts, entertainment and professional services. For the first time in the publication’s history, women account for more than a quarter of the people in the book and four out of the overall top 10 most powerful individuals.
Committee for Perth proudly features in the Unions and Advocacy section where our CEO, Paula Rogers (CEO) and Tony Joyner (Chair) of the Committee for Perth were included in the 2025 Power 500. The list also includes board members Paul Graham, CEO of Gold Corporation, and Professor Clare Pollock, Vice-Chancellor at Edith Cowan University, highlighting the breadth of Committee for Perth's influence. By supporting collaborations in sustainable urban design, economic growth, creative industries and energy innovation, the Committee is helping Perth’s movers and shakers work together toward a more liveable and prosperous WA. |
INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION |
In July, Committee for Perth is proud to spotlight the power of education through its Perth 2050 initiatives.
Our CEO, Paula Rogers, recently visited All Saints College to discuss why future-focused thinking matters and to hear directly from students about their hopes for Perth by 2050. Through creative collaboration, these young minds are already helping shape Perth’s future, showing that when we give youth the space to dream, we empower them to lead.
Inspired by our collaborative report with Scitech, which encourages bold thinking about infrastructure, sustainability, liveability, and technology, Year 7 students at All Saints’ College have been exploring these themes in their InnovatED program. We believe it is vital to give young people the space to be bold and help shape what comes next. If your school would like to be part of the conversation about Perth’s future, we would be delighted to visit and share insights from our Perth 2050 report. |
EDITH COWAN UNIVERSITY RELEASES 2024 IMPACT REPORT |
Our member Edith Cowan University has released its 2024 Foundation Impact Report. It showcases how education and research are helping to build a better future for Western Australia. From the transformative ECU City Campus set to open in 2026, to real-world breakthroughs in health, the arts and sustainability, the report highlights the university’s growing impact across our state. Impact reports like this are designed to show how educational institutions are translating vision into action and we are excited to see how universities like ECU, are harnessing the creativity and energy of young people to shape a stronger, more vibrant WA.
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PERTH'S GLOBAL GATEWAY JUST GOT BUSIER |
Great news for both travellers and businesses. Cathay Pacific is celebrating 55 years at Perth Airport by doubling its Perth - Hong Kong service. From 26 October 2025, the airline will move to two daily flights, year-round, increasing weekly services from 11 to 14. This upgrade brings an extra 200,000 seats in each direction annually and more cargo space for exporters, business, students, families, and tourists.
What does this mean for Perth? This boost in airfreight and flight options enhances our city’s appeal for tourism, education, and export growth – helping business, farmers, wine producers, educators, and families stay more connected with Asia and beyond. |
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| | NEW HORIZONS WEBINAR WITH BEN LISLE |
The Implications of AI for Perth organisations with Ben Lisle, Managing Director, Hesperia Thursday, 3 July 2025 | 1.00pm to 2.00pm
ENQUIRE // Member-only online event |
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| With Hon. Reece Whitby MLA Thursday, 31 July 2025 | 12.00pm to 2.00pm WAITLIST // Member-only event |
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| URBAN INSIGHTS: BUILDING LIVEABLE COMMUNITIES |
With Cormac Russell, internationally renowned author and community thinker
Wednesday, 20 August 2025 | 7.15am to 11:00am
ENQUIRE // Member-only event |
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With thanks to all our members for their ongoing contribution to promoting innovation and creativity to deliver a brighter future for Perth. View all of our members. |
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Committee for Perth conducts its work on Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar. We recognise their peoples' ongoing connection to land, culture and community and in doing so, pay our respects to Elders past and present. |
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