WA Faces

Each face has a story to tell.

We all have stories about who we are, our connections to family, friends and Country, and how we came to live and work in Western Australia.

Join the WA Faces album; share your portrait and your story and help us show the world what it means to be Western Australian.

Warning:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are warned that this website may contain images of, or reference to, deceased people.

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What makes you proud to be Western Australian?

I was born and grew up in Three Springs and then met a farmer and moved to Katanning. We live here with our three children. I love the multiculturalism of this town and that my children are exposed to this. They are very comfortable with a diverse range of people and I am hoping this helps to form compassion and empathy in them that will continue into adulthood.

Sharon

I am a 4th generation Australian and am currently in Year 1. My favourite subject is Maths.

Alexander

Sandra

Any place is what you make it! We have good friendships here and I feel safe to live here with my lads. There are great amenities and environment. I was born in Perth and moved to Dumbleyoung for my first job out of University as a Landcare Officer. I then moved to Katanning and will be staying.

Quade and Ella

Zavier

I moved to Western Australia 2 years ago after falling in love and marrying Paul. I was born and grew up in Kenya and met Paul while he was working in landcare there. I am enjoying living in Nyabin. The community is very welcoming and I have been involving myself in lots of programs in the community including pottery, women's fitness and bible studies. I am working as a cleaner at the Primary School and also work at the Childcare Centre and am studying Early Childhood. I most miss my family in Kenya.

Beatrice

I was born in Perth to an Italian father and Australian mother. My father moved to Western Australia in the 1970s. I work in natural resource management for the Shire of Kent and previous to that was in various locations in the Wheatbelt. I have been in the industry for about 20 years and a lot has changed and keeps evolving. I am currently working in landcare management providing opportunities for farmers to access subsidies for caring for their land - it is really interesting work!

Paul

I travelled to work in East Africa, Kenya and met Betty (Beatrice) in 2008. We fell in love and married and she has been living in Western Australia for 2 years now - the Visa process took a very long time.

Beatrice and Paul

Peter

Bethany

Lorreen

Miah

Lyrique

We arrived here on a Sunday, the 22 February and there was nobody in the town, the streets were totally empty and we thought 'why are we here?'. But the first day at work it was much better. We had come from New South Wales and there were no brands we recognised in the supermarket - all were from Europe or from South Africa and other countries.

Sushila

I was born in Perth. At the age of 14 my family moved to Williams (my father was a prominent football player and coach), we then moved to Albany and I then have lived in many places in the Great Southern region. I now live in Nyabing - I love the wide open spaces! I am a singer and have just started learning the Ukulele. I am the coordinator of Katanning's World of Multicultural Music (WOMM). WOMM formed as a result of my arriving in this area 11 years ago and a group of us started music workshops and formed a gospel singing choir the focus of the group is shifting now to multicultural bands. I am also a member of the group Bob and the Crew - we formed 8 weeks ago and are performing at the Katanning Harmony Festival today!

Judy

We've been in Katanning for twelve years and we have never locked our house. It's a great multicultural town with great agricultural potential. The more people are attracted here and more multicultural it becomes, the more everyone understand each other.

Dr. Raj

I was born in Katanning to Dutch Indonesian parents and now live in Kojonup. There were no traditions passed on from my parents. My child, Lyrique, has Maori and Dutch Indonesian heritage.

Samantha

I was born in Katanning to Dutch Indonesian parents and now live in Kojonup. There were no traditions passed on from my parents. My daughter, Miah, has Nyoongar Aboriginal and Dutch Indonesian heritage.

Tegan

Mhalex Dave

Mae Angel and Alexis

I moved to Katanning 2 years ago and am working at a local workshop as a Service Technician - I enjoy my work. I was able to have my family move here about 7 months ago which is very important to us - family bonding is very important. Katanning and Western Australia is very different to the Philippines; the weather is cooler and lifestyle is very different. We love being able to fish and do this as much as we can - we are going fishing as a family tomorrow! I really like the rules, structure and order here. It means that is is a lot safer, not as many accidents and people are more disciplined and trusting. We miss family and some of the freedom we had in the Philippines but love Katanning and we are hoping for permanent residency.

Mhayreen and Alexis

Uanali

I am from Cherbourg in Queensland and am from the Wakka Wakka language group. I have lived in Katanning for 20 years. My daughter, Jerusha, is Nyoongar Wakka Wakka.

Amy

Shona

Jerusha

Creating harmony in the town is not finished yet - it's a journey to create a passage for people to understand what we've been through. People arriving in Katanning will have the experience of being well received and well respected and the town will also receive thanks from the people arriving.

Alep

I am visiting Katanning for Harmony Festival. Western Australia is home for me!! I am a mother of 5 and grandmother to 4. This beautiful land is for ALL people to share. Our diversity is what enriches all our lives.

Felicity

Moved to Katanning 42 years ago from the Cocos Islands to work at the abattoir. The traditions that we brought with us from home are food and music. Abtar plays the the drums and violin which he brought with him from Cocos Islands.

Jewita and Abtar

I moved in the 1950s when I was 13. My family were Ten Pound Poms. My first memories are that Katanning was a real wild western town, there was even a horse tied up at the hotel! My first meal was fish and chips and now I really love the Christmas Islander food here.

Mavis

I moved to Katanning on the 11 November 1972 from Kojonup for family reasons - I can't forget the date as it is Remembrance Day! Katanning has always been very diverse. Multiculturalism is nothing new and nothing new for this community; it has been here since day one - Live and let live I say.

Shirley