Final speech pays tribute to city with a “country soul”

Being able to help individuals with a range of issues, as well as successfully seeing many “big ticket” projects completed, have been the highlights of a 12-year Parliamentary career for Bunbury MLA John Castrilli.

That was the overarching message delivered when Mr Castrilli made his final Parliamentary speech on November 16, during the last week of Parliament for 2016, after announcing earlier this year that he would retire at the next election in March 2017.

After 26 years in public service, 12 of which he served as the State Member for Bunbury, Mr Castrilli paid tribute to the supportive community, his family and electorate staff. In doing so, he said he was honoured to serve this “rapidly growing city which has not lost its country soul”.

As he bid farewell to his parliamentary colleagues, Mr Castrilli also shared his belief that building more respectful communities, which Bunbury has encouraged through the Choose Respect initiative, would lead to much-needed cultural change across the State.

“Without respect, no matter how many laws and services we, as a government, put in place, they will only be band-aid solutions,” he said.

“Cultural change is hard work. It is long term and difficult to measure any short-term success. “But I strongly believe a community, as a whole, has a responsibility to work towards building resilience in our young people, teaching respect from an early age and for us all to be considerate of others.”

Aside from supporting this message, Mr Castrilli said his greatest privilege in serving the State, both as a local Member and Cabinet Minister, had been helping individuals in need.

“Over the years, I have been humbled by literally thousands of people who have entrusted me with their stories,” he said.

“I take great pride in the efforts that my office has made to give those individuals or families hope, to help empower them, or to simply break down walls that they had found impenetrable.”

Mr Castrilli said it was these stories and the positive outcomes which had inspired him to continue in the role and to push for change and progress.

“In 2005 when I was first elected, our region had no adolescent mental health offices,” he said.

“Counsellors were actually treating young people in their cars. The Carers and Consumer Support Group were using my office for their meetings.

“While I accept there is still much to be done, Bunbury now has some of the best facilities and clinicians for mental health, and our hospital has had huge upgrades – now delivering many specialised treatments previously only available in Perth.”

Mr Castrilli also made special mention of the establishment of Treendale Gardens, a project close to his heart which he brought to fruition through much perseverance over several years.

“Treendale Gardens is a home and respite centre for young people with degenerative neurological diseases or acquired brain injuries. It was the first of its kind in regional WA.

“At the time, our efforts hit one brick wall after the other, but we didn’t give up. Opening this home in 2012 has now changed so many people’s lives. It remains one of my proudest and most emotional moments.”

Mr Castrilli said while it was the individual stories and triumphs which kept him motivated, he was also passionate about supporting and pushing for vital infrastructure growth in the city.

Such projects include the Bunbury Waterfront development, Eelup Roundabout project, Bunbury cancer radiotherapy unit, Intensive Care Unit, Acute Psychiatric Unit, saving the Australind train from a proposed cut to its services, and the start of work on the new Parks and Wildlife headquarters.

“With no more Parliamentary sitting days in Perth, I will be able to spend more time in my Bunbury office where it is business as usual until March,” Mr Castrilli said.

“After I retire from politics, I will still look forward to seeing the many projects that I have worked so hard on over the past decade come to full fruition and continue to watch our beautiful city bloom,” Mr Castrilli said.