AS well as welcoming 25 people as our newest Australian citizens, the Shire marked Australia Day by celebrating the efforts of local community members. Shire of Mundaring Citizen of the Year Awards are designed to foster, recognise and celebrate significant contributions to community life and active citizenship within the Shire.

For these Awards; the Selection Committee decided not to restrict each category to one winner as it was felt that all nominees who met the award criteria were winners in their own right.

Council sincerely appreciates the voluntary work undertaken by all members of our community and the successful nominees are not only worthy of the awards, but represent the breath of commitment and involvement of so many residents from within the Shire.

High School Citizen Award

Damian Benthien (Helena College Senior School)

James Harris (Bible Baptist Christian Academy)

Kiran Podmore (Eastern Hills Senior School)

Shire of Mundaring Citizenship Awards for a person under 25 years of age

RENAE TUCCI

Renae volunteers at the Hills Group and Swan Valley branches of the Riding for the Disabled. Renae has sound horse management skills and can work autonomously; her keenness and desire to learn has made her a very popular member of our group, not only with the disabled riders, but also their families. Renae is a brilliant role model to all volunteers; both young and older.

HAYLEE WHISSON

Haylee has been a member of the Darlington Girl Guides, for which she has been both a Patrol Second and Patrol Leader. Haylee has participated in various community services including Red Cross, 40 Hour Famine, gardening at local reserves, rubbish collection as well as supporting Guide Services. After learning about the impact of plastic bottles, she made a presentation to her class at Darlington Primary School, then to the school community which resulted in the banning of plastic bottles for sale at the canteen.

Shire of Mundaring Citizenship Awards for a person 25 years or older

KERRY DUNCAN

Kerry has been involved with the Hills Night Hockey Association for 10 years, and been secretary for 5 years. She has also been involved with the Mundaring Women’s Hockey Association for 15 years. Kerry has successfully managed to secure funds for both of these associations for equipment upgrades and anniversary celebrations. Kerry is a member of the Mundaring Toy Library and involved in Glen Forrest Cub Scouts, Maida Vale Baptist Church and Glen Forrest Primary School P & C Association.

KENNETH ROSE

Kenneth has been involved in the basketball community for more than 10 years working behind the scene on administrative, community, fundraising, legal and safety-related issues for both the Panthers Basketball Club and Hills Raiders Basketball Club. His various roles within the two clubs include secretary, committee member, coaching course co-ordinator, organising sponsorship, fundraising and donations  and a multitude of other tasks when others are unavailable.

Shire of Mundaring Citizenship Award for a person of 60 years or older

RAYMOND ARMSTRONG 

Ray has been involved with the Eastern Hills Guide and Scout Group for the past 30 years. He commenced as a Scout Leader and later became a Group Leader; a position he still holds. He trains the Scouts in canoeing, camping and many outdoor pursuits. Ray is a level 1 coach at the Mundaring Sporting Club where he teaches bowls to students, and as ‘Chairman of the Greens’ Ray successfully maintains the playing surface and surroundings at the bowls club.

RALPH DARLINGTON 

Ralph is an inspiring citizen and volunteer of Mundaring who advocates excellent values, sustainable living and makes significant contributions. Ralph has been a member of the Eastern Hills Wildflower Society for over five years holding positions of committee member, treasurer and vice president. Ralph is active in promoting appreciation, conservation and growing of native plants. As an advocate for sustainable living and organic gardening, Ralph is a wonderful role model who ‘walks the walk’.

FAY GROSSE

Fay has volunteered her time to the Mundaring Girl Guides and the Brownie Guides for over 25 years and is a dedicated Guide Leader. In this role, Fay makes a huge contribution of time and effort and involves the girls in many activities including Christmas carols, ANZAC Parades, Australia Day Awards and charity events. These activities help to install a sense of community spirit to these young girls, as well as bringing joy to others.

HELEN HARVEY

This year, Helen received her medal for 25 years service from the State Emergency Services.  For nine years she has volunteered in the Helena College Library, and has also been a volunteer at Mundaring Primary School assisting students with reading, spelling and literacy and was a tutor with the Read, Write, Now Continuing Adult Literacy program. Helen founded the Friends of Black Cockatoo Reserves Group eleven years ago and has been the driving force in making it one of the leading friends groups within the Shire.

CHRISTOPHER OAKLEY

Chris became involved with the Katharine Susannah Pritchard Writers Centre in 2002 and soon after was awarded life membership thanks to his extraordinary merits around the centre.  Chris has been Treasurer of KSP and a member of the Management Committee for six years, during which time he has managed some significant projects including restoring KSP’s house, expanding the writing centre and building residential accommodation for writers in the grounds. Chris is a dedicated volunteer working who we value in our community.

MAUREEN TIE

Maureen is a founding and life member of the Mundaring Hills Historical Society. Since 1989 she has worked tirelessly for the society instigating many projects, only recently retiring from the Executive Committee. Maureen has accepted responsibility for maintaining several local reserves both Summit Road and Jane Byfield Reserve. Since starting care of this reserve she has gained funding for spraying of weeds, signage and a gate to prevent cars entering. She also organised manpower to weed and plant the reserve. Maureen is now working on rejuvenating another project; the Mundaring Cemetery in conjunction with the Historical Society and the Shire.

PATRICIA WILKINSON-COX

Patricia is well-known amongst the community and is a highly regarded and respected senior community member having resided in the Shire since 1971. Patricia has been a foster mother along with raising her own three children; she provides a welcoming household for children and adults of all ages from the district. She has been an active supporter of Arts within the hills area with the Midland Opera Studio, Mundaring Arts Centre, Hub of the Hills and HCSG. She works as a volunteer within the community providing meals for the unwell, and bereaved; both young and old. She is the designated driver for countless trips supporting local elderly.