The Town of Port Hedland has secured a prestigious state accolade, taking out the Inclusion Award for Most Accessible Communities WA at the 2026 WALGA Local Government Awards.
The awards, held last Friday 12 June at the WA Museum Boola Bardip, celebrate local governments that go above and beyond in serving their communities, with the Town of Port Hedland acknowledged for its innovative No Boundaries program.
No Boundaries is an inclusive sports and recreation program for people with disability, created to support young people transitioning from school into adulthood.
Since launching in December 2025 with two participants, it has grown to 16 regular attendees, reflecting strong community demand.
Delivered weekly during school terms, the program provides a welcoming environment to stay active, build confidence and connect, offering a range of adapted activities for all abilities.
The initiative offers a diverse range of adapted sports, games and recreational activities, ensuring people of all abilities and ages can participate.
The Town gratefully acknowledges the support of Mineral Resources Ltd (MinRes) in making the No Boundaries program possible.
Importantly, the program has also opened pathways to employment and skills development, with participants gaining paid work experience through involvement in local creative projects, helping build confidence and future opportunities.
Mayor Jacinta Behrend said the award reflected the Town’s commitment to inclusion, wellbeing and community connections.
“This award is a testament to what can be achieved when we listen to our community and work together to create opportunities for everyone to belong, participate and thrive,” Mayor Behrend said.
Director Community Services, Alison Banks said the program highlighted both the need and opportunity to continue expanding its impact.
“We’re seeing participants grow in confidence, build friendships and engage with their community in ways that simply weren’t available before.
“Beyond social benefits, this program is helping build skills, confidence and pathways into employment and broader community participation.” Ms. Banks said.
No Boundaries is delivered as a cross functional initiative, with active involvement from the Community Development, Youth, and Recreation and Leisure teams.
This cross-functional approach not only strengthens program delivery but also builds internal capability, providing staff with valuable, hands-on experience working alongside people with disability.
These learnings are directly informing the design of future programs and services, ensuring they are more accessible, inclusive, and reflective of the diverse needs of the Hedland community.
The Town of Port Hedland’s recognition at the WALGA Awards highlights its leadership in fostering a more inclusive, connected and accessible community, where everyone has the opportunity to contribute and succeed.