• ​Celebrate WA presenting seven free WA Day festivals across the State

Premier Colin Barnett has congratulated Perth businessman and community leader Adrian Fini OAM on being named the 2016 Western Australian of the Year.

“This prestigious award is well deserved by Adrian, who makes a significant contribution to the Western Australian community through his roles as chairman of the Art Gallery of Western Australia Foundation and on the boards of The University of Western Australia Business School and Perth International Arts Festival,” Mr Barnett said.

“Through his property development businesses, Adrian has also helped to shape a new, contemporary Perth city.  His company’s work on the restoration of the State Buildings was exemplary.”

Mr Fini received the honour at a gala Western Australian of the Year Awards ceremony held tonight at Crown Perth.

The Premier also congratulated other individual winners including Rishelle Hume, who received the Aboriginal Award; Warwick Hemsley – Arts and Culture Award; Dr John van Bockxmeer – Community Award; Professor Arlene Chan – Professions Award; Caitlin Bassett and Nathan Fyfe as joint winners of the Sport Award; and Ashlee Harrison – Youth Award.

Speaking at the event, organised by Celebrate WA, Mr Barnett said WA Day was not only about looking forward, but also recognising Aboriginal and subsequent settlement of WA and the enormous contribution migrants had made to the State.

“WA’s history dates back more than 40,000 years, with the first inhabitants of the South-West being the Noongar people,” he said.

“Recently, State Parliament passed the Noongar (Koorah, Nitja, Boordahwan) (Past, Present, Future) Recognition Bill 2015, which formally recognises the Noongar people as the traditional owners of the land in the South-West.

“It is significant that the Bill will be proclaimed on June 6, 2016, which this year will be WA Day.

“This is a historic occasion and an achievement of which the Liberal National Government is proud.  It embodies the spirit of the WA Day holiday.”

The Premier encouraged West Australians to enjoy some of the major events being held across the State over the long weekend.  These included a WA Day Festival at Elizabeth Quay on Monday, featuring free family activities such as WA’s best burger cook-off and workshops with Western Australian sport stars.

Family activities would also be held at Esplanade Park in Fremantle and at the Western Australian Museum in Albany, Geraldton and Kalgoorlie-Boulder.  Port Hedland and Mandurah were also hosting festivals.