For the coastal city of Mandurah, 2025 was a year etched with profound change, remarkable human achievement, and deep community spirit. From the emotional closure of a beloved icon to athletes conquering the world stage, the past twelve months delivered stories that captivated residents and captured headlines far beyond the Peel region.
A Year of Goodbyes and New Beginnings
The year's most poignant moment arrived early, as Mandurah's iconic King Carnival ferris wheel took its final turn in February. Hundreds of residents gathered to bid farewell to the 62-year-old amusement park, a symbol of childhood memories for generations. Its closure, prompted by the expiry of its lease and plans for the eastern foreshore brewery development, marked the end of an era and sparked ongoing debates about the future of public spaces like Halls Park.
This sentiment of loss was balanced by joyful arrivals. The first baby of 2025 for the Peel Health Campus was born just 41 minutes after midnight, joining other newborns across WA hospitals in heralding the new generation. In a brighter turn for local wildlife, five dolphins that vanished from Mandurah's estuaries in late 2024 were located safe in Bunbury waters, thanks to the collaborative efforts of local research groups.
Triumph on the Global Stage
Mandurah's talent shone brightly across the world in 2025. Halls Head teen Amelie Reid was crowned BMX world champion for the second time, securing the title in Copenhagen in the 14 girls' category. From the running track to the baseball diamond, local athletes made their mark. Pinjarra's Brooke Mcintosh completed a record-breaking 14,000km run around Australia, raising over $200,000 for mental health charity the Blue Tree Project.
Meanwhile, Nambeelup's Caitlin Eynon was drafted into the first US women's professional baseball league in decades, a huge achievement for the 22-year-old shortstop. Falcon's Jedd Bell represented his community and culture by completing the New York City Marathon in an impressive time as part of the Indigenous Marathon Project Squad. Deaflympian William Liitiaeinen also represented Australia in Tokyo, inspiring others with his journey.
Community Challenges and Resilience
The year was not without its difficulties, testing the community's resilience. A shocking animal cruelty case saw a kangaroo euthanised after being shot with a bow and arrow in Falcon. Copper thieves plunged sections of the Kwinana Freeway and Old Coast Road into darkness for months, stripping safety infrastructure. The community also mourned the loss of tireless volunteer Reg Lambert, who passed away at the age of 101, leaving a legacy of support for Mandurah's homeless through PeelConnect.
In local governance, Amber Kearns was elected as Mandurah's new mayor in October, following a year that began with Rhys Williams's resignation and a brief tenure by Caroline Knight. The City of Mandurah itself received national recognition, being named Australia's best-rated council in a Snap Send Solve satisfaction survey.
As the year drew to a close, Mandurah looked to the future. Google announced the city would host its first mainland WA connectivity hub, bringing subsea cables to the coast. The long-dormant Bavarian castle began its transformation into a childcare centre playground. And the Avenue of Honour was completed at the War Memorial, ensuring the sacrifices of local service personnel are remembered. While the night skyline changed with King Carnival's departure, 2025 proved Mandurah's community heart and spirit continue to beat strong.
