Service, citizenship and fellowship at Apex gathering in Katanning

Apex club members from the Great Southern, South West and Wheatbelt regions came together in Katanning over the long weekend for a WA catch-up.

The group was joined by Apex Foundation chair Tony Wilshire from Queensland.

The catch-ups provide club members from across WA with an opportunity to exchange ideas, talk about projects, provide service to the community and enjoy fellowship.

The group met with Shire of Katanning councillor and Friend of Piesse Park volunteer Matt Collis and Bev Lockley early on Sunday to help erect a new patio structure over the eco-centre’s decked area.

Katanning Apex has participated in many projects at Piesse Park, including revegetating bushland.

The weekend activities officially began on Saturday with the visiting group enjoying a tour of the Katanning Sheep Saleyards.

“It’s state-of-the-art,” Mr Wilshire said. “It’s an incredible story, I was really impressed.”

Visitors Mick and Melinda Godfrey of Wongan Hills were equally inspired.

“It’s a great story of locals getting the job done right,” Mr Godfrey said. “They could have outsourced it and it would have cost twice as much.”

“The way they went about it by using locals, it’s incredible.” Mrs Godfrey said.

Katanning Apexian John Paul Collins was in Katanning at the time of the saleyards’ construction in 2014.

“They got in an unskilled workforce, they built their own fabrication workshop, got someone up from Albany to teach people how to weld, and then a lot of those workers got work around the district on farms,” Mr Collins said.

“It’s a great story and when we were organising this State catch-up it was the first thing on our list of things to check out.”

Following the saleyards tour the group enjoyed a Malay dinner at Kobeelya Conference Centre.

“You get a great sense of achievement, giving back to the community, and you get to enjoy fellowship as well,” Marissah Kruger said.

All members of the community aged 18 and over are welcome to join the volunteer group. “It can be harder to try to attract that younger demographic,” Katanning Apexian Allen Hingsten said.

“What we want are new members and new ideas.”

Katanning Apex meets on the first and third Monday of the month. The first is a formal meeting, while the second is a social catch-up.

Those interested in joining the Katanning club can get in touch by sending an email to katanning@apex.org.au.