Shooting for big things

Community is what Marina Quain lives for.

Many people know Marina from her tireless involvement in sporting clubs around Bunbury and she personally could not think of any other way to spend her time.

Marina grew up on a farm in the Wheatbelt town of Gnowangerup and came to Bunbury when she was 32. When Marina arrived in Bunbury she knew it would be her home forever.

“I will never leave Bunbury, I am very happy here,” she said.

“I have visited and lived in cities all over the world and I believe this is the best place for me.”

She initially got involved in the sporting community when her children started playing sport. Marina has long lobbied for improved facilities in her two main sporting clubs, the Bunbury Basketball Association and Bunbury United Soccer Club.

“I have two children and when they started to get involved in junior sports teams I chose to spend my time volunteering for their chosen sports,” she said.

“I am very passionate about these clubs and I feel really appreciated and that is why I continue to volunteer.”

Marina has been the executive secretary for the Bunbury Basketball Association for seven years, on the Board since 2013 and a coach since 2012. She has been involved with the Bunbury United Soccer Club since 2011 when her son joined his Pre-Primary soccer team.

She has seen Bunbury basketball grow to more than 1700 players and 205 teams this season.

Her latest project is trying to get more indoor courts at the South West Sports Centre and said the latest funding for a feasibility study and concept plan for the expansion of the centre was exciting news.

“We have so many talented players in the region but unfortunately not enough space for them to play,” she said.

“Personally I feel very strongly for this, every year I lobby to the State and local governments.”

This advocating for the community gave Marina the courage and confidence to run for Bunbury City Council for the first time in 2017, and she only just missed out. Marina is running again in the 2021 election.

“I didn’t let it stop me and I will keep putting my name on the ballot to help my community have their say,” she said. “I encourage all people who want to have their say heard to put their name forward.”

A very family-orientated person, Marina spends a lot of time taking her kids to the family farm in Gnowangerup where she grew up.

“I loved growing up on the farm and we go up there every opportunity we can and the kids have a lot of fun,” she said.

Marina credited her character to the tough upbringing her mum had and said it made her a more kind and caring mother to Marina and her siblings.

“Mum saw Hamburg, her home city get bombed in the war and saw Hitler march through,” she said.

“The war really impacted my mum and her family but she survived all that and she has a positive outlook on life with one of the best senses of humour.”

Marina talks fondly of her time living in Southampton in England for four years and how she and her friend would save up to go travelling around Europe. But said she chose to come home to Bunbury as she craved the blue skies and sunshine.

She daydreams of the Italian beaches (like most people) and being able to travel again but said she counted her lucky stars she got to call Bunbury her home.

“The great community pride in Bunbury and the positives of this place just make me count my blessing every day,” she said.