Culture and Arts portfolio a dream come true for Mandurah MLA David Templeman

HIS appointment today as Minister for the Arts is a dream come true for Mandurah MLA David Templeman.

As he goes into his fifth term representing Mandurah, Mr Templeman has been appointed Minister for Heritage, Culture and the Arts and Leader of the House.

The theatre tragic says it is a position he yearned for long before he became a politician.

“Passion for theatre and the arts is a critical and central part of who we are and we must never underestimate the impact of arts and culture,’’ he said.

A pivotal celebration of the arts this year is the 20th anniversary of Mandurah Performing Arts Centre.

Mr Templeman said he had always applauded the Richard Court Government for its “wonderful insight” into putting Mandurah on the map.

“The centre will play a big role in the lives of younger families moving to Mandurah and we should use the arts as a way of engaging them,’’ he said.

The 52-year-old father of four is also a strong supporter of independent theatre and has always regretted the demise of Mandurah Little Theatre, which played to big audiences on Mandurah Terrace during the 1980s and 1990s.

“Theatre has played an important role in the development of Mandurah and small theatre groups should be encouraged,’’ he said.

Mr Templeman also hopes to work together in the community with newly elected Dawesville MLA Zak Kirkup.

“One person does not have a mortgage on all the good ideas,’’ he said.

Mr Templeman sees unemployment and underemployment as significant challenges.

He believes the health area and more specialised services in Mandurah is one way of building new jobs.

“Fiona Stanley Hospital should not be used as an excuse for not having enough facilities here,’’ he said.

He would also like to see more investment in tourism and the reinstatement and resourcing of a Peel Police District with a resident district superintendent as existed under the previous Labor Government.

“Its now time for us to shine,’’ he said.