Published on Monday, 1 December 2025 at 6:00:00 PM
As the festive season approaches, I would like to reflect on yet another incredible year for our Shire. 2025 has seen many of our long-term plans come to fruition, and I am incredibly proud of the achievements we’ve made as a team.
From the Grand Opening of our completed CBD Redevelopment Project, to Merredin’s finalist placement in the Top Tourism Town Awards, to our National Volunteer Week community sausage sizzle, we’ve had many reasons to celebrate throughout 2025. We were treated to big-name performers such as Pete Murray and Diesel, and we hosted the Wheatbelt Trails Forum to celebrate our natural wonders and the newly established Merredin Peak parkrun.
We were proud to welcome His Excellency the Honourable Chris Dawson AC APM, Governor of Western Australia, and his wife, Mrs Darrilyn Dawson, with a tour of Merredin and an afternoon tea with local emergency service representatives. Our Shire earned acknowledgement in the DFES 2025 Volunteer Employer Recognition Awards and 4 stars in the Wildflower Excellence Rating Scheme with the Western Australian Wildflower Society. This award included 200 native plants which were used to establish a Native Garden at Roy Little Park through a community planting day.
This year saw the restoration of the Merredin Water Tower, an iconic piece of history now saved for generations to come, and the successful resurfacing of the bowling green at the MRCLC. We continued to provide our Business Sundowners, including an evening tailored to local community groups and associations, and supported local events.
After extensive consultation between the community, Shire Administration and Council, we developed and adopted our Disability Access and Inclusion Plan and our Council Plan 2025–2035. These documents reflect a shared vision and will shape the future of our community by guiding the decision-making processes of the Shire and Council.
We now turn our focus to 2026, with the goal of building upon the successes of 2025 to continue delivering outstanding outcomes for our Shire. Projects include the completion of the Crooks Road safety upgrades, the indoor court resurfacing at the MRCLC, and our conversion to a new Enterprise Resource Planning system.
I would like to acknowledge the tireless efforts of the Shire of Merredin staff who have been integral to the progress we’ve made this year. Whether behind the scenes or out in challenging weather conditions, every team member has played a vital role in the maintenance of our infrastructure and public facilities. Their unwavering efforts and dedication do not go unnoticed.
I would also like thank our community for your continued support in driving our important projects forward. As your Shire President, I deeply appreciate your commitment to making our Shire a wonderful place to live, work, and visit.
This festive season is a time to relax, recharge, and spend quality time with loved ones. On behalf of the Shire of Merredin Council, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
May the new year bring you joy, health, and success.
Donna Crook
Shire President
Media Release
Back to All News