Shire celebrates community champions and new citizens

Community champions have been recognised at the Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale's Australia Day awards ceremony.

The awards comprise of four categories of Citizen of the Year Awards and recognise members of the community who demonstrate a contribution to the Shire above and beyond their paid work. 

Shire President Michelle Rich congratulated all the nominees and winners of the Australia Day Awards.

"Our Shire is all the better for the work and dedication these individuals and groups make to enhance our local community," she said. 

"Following the challenged we faced in 2020, I am pleased that we are able to celebrate our 2021 Australia Day Award winners for their efforts in building a positive, connected and thriving community.

The Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale's 2021 Australia Day Award winners are:

Community Citizen of the Year – Don Warner

Don has led the Byford Baptist Church Free Food Market for many years and is recognised for his efforts in ensuring this was able to continue in 2020, particularly during the COVID-19 lock down and the peak of COVID-19 restrictions in WA.

He has maintained continuity of service for vulnerable members of our community with access to food every week, and has explored grant opportunities to ensure that this can continue.

Don also liaises with the Shire to help with various activities and is also involved in helping with other activities in the community.

Senior Community Citizen of the Year – Ian Nice

Ian, more commonly known as Geeza, has been a daily presence in the Jarrahdale Heritage Park, from Turtle Creek to the White Bridge.

The National Trust own this land but over the past nine years the local community have taken on the task of clearing the land of invasive weeds and rehabilitating the Gooralong Brook to make the area accessible to both residents and visitors.

For the past four years Ian has inspected the park daily and clears up any litter, cleans the pathways and ensures no trees or shrubs have fallen across the paths to ensure they are accessible. He plants and weeds throughout the park and has developed gardens behind the Jarrahdale Café and is also responsible for the beautiful gardens near the Old Nurses Quarters.

Youth Recognition Award - Thomas Dawson, Zain Jeffery and Reece Thatcher

All three recipients were nominated for the Community Citizen of the Year Award – Youth (under 25 years of age) category for their involvement in the Ride4Ash Urban Art Project, an initiative to celebrate the life of local Byford Secondary College student Ashley Graham who sadly passed in 2018.

This initiative showed great leadership and involvement from all three nominees to commemorate the life of their friend.

Thomas, Zain and Reece all worked hard to secure grant funding, obtain quotes, schedule project design workshops and deliver an urban art mural at the local Byford Skate Park in collaboration with the Shire and urban artist Dan Duggan.

All three boys have been recognised for their efforts via the Youth Recognition Award.

Active Citizenship Award - Jarrahdale Heritage Society Guided Walks Group

Jarrahdale Heritage Society has been running guided walks in and around Jarrahdale since 1993 which began with a history walk during Heritage Week. Since that time guided walks have been held on a monthly basis during the cooler months of the year, sometimes more frequently.

The walks are organised and run by a group of volunteers from the Jarrahdale Heritage Society. These volunteers are trained in first aid and prepare for each walk to ensure all walkers have a positive and memorable experience.

As a group they enjoy companionship and have made lifelong friends, supporting each other and their combined goal; promoting the beauty of our Shire, the businesses of Jarrahdale and encouraging people to be outdoors for health and well being.

In addition to conducting the walks the group has taken on the responsibility of the maintenance of the trails in the area. This work includes track maintenance and the upkeep and renewal of both directional and interpretive signage, ensuring that walkers are able to enjoy the trails with confidence.

Clem Kentish Community Service Award – Alan Elliott

Alan Elliott is a founding Board Member of Landcare SJ upon its incorporation in November 2002, where he remains a Board Member to this day. Alan is also an active participant and volunteer in environmental activities and initiatives.

Of particular significance, Alan designed the Cockatube, an artificial nest hollow for Black Cockatoos, in 2005.

Alan has also been an active member of the Keysbrook Volunteer Bushfire Brigade since 1991, and has contributed to fire-fighting duties prior to this date, and has been involved in the Keysbrook Men’s Group since 2005.

Alan has also worked tirelessly on other Advisory and Advocacy groups, such as the Keysbrook Environment Group, Shire of SJ Reserves Advisory Group, Keysbrook-North Dandalup Action Group and the Peel Harvey Biosecurity Group Feral Animal Control Sub Committee.

The Shire also welcomed in 17 new citizens at its Australia Citizenship ceremony, with the conferees from 12 countries including China, India, Idonesia, Ireland, Malaysia and South Africa. 

Shire President Michelle Rich said the ceremony was an opportunity for all Australians, whether they are citizens by birth or by choice, to join national celebrations that reflect, respect and celebrate. 

"Each year we are privileged to welcome new Australians to our growing community as part of Australia Day celebrations," she said. 

"I encourage everyone in our Shire to reflect on and affirm their Australian citizenship as we warmly welcome our newest citizens."