Laneway lends vibrancy

A 1950s retro fair is being held to celebrate the transformation of a once-lifeless Medina laneway.

The official opening of the new community space will be held on April 1 with fairy floss, retro cars and motorbikes, food stalls, roving entertainers, live music and children’s activities on offer.

Once an unused laneway, the space has been revitalised with colourful art, landscaping and locally made street furniture.

City of Kwinana Mayor Carol Adams said it would offer a lively and welcoming meeting-place in the heart of Medina.

“By creating inviting spaces where people enjoy spending time, we are encouraging a more social and better-connected community,” she said.

“The increased activity in the area can only be a good thing for local shops and small businesses.”

The aim of the upgrade is to help breathe new life into Kwinana’s most historic suburb and create an attractive and useable public space in Medina’s town centre.

A mural by renowned artist WA artist Melski McVee has been completed as part of the project, designed to reflect the unique characteristics of Medina’s history, flora, fauna and architecture, with students from Medina Primary School helping to bring the large-scale work to life.

“The community-painted mural will encourage ownership and instil a sense of pride in the Medina community,” Ms Adams said.

“Everyone is welcome to join in — I hope to see the laneway full of Medina locals busily painting on Saturday morning.” The local community is invited to join in painting another mural in the laneway with Ms McVee from 11am, before the official opening at 3pm.

The retro fun will then begin at 3.30pm with community members encouraged to dress in their 1950s outfits to celebrate the decade from which Medina was given its name.

For more information, visit the City of Kwinana Facebook page.