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Australia Day celebrated in style

Australia Day brought blue skies and perfect temperatures for residents around the region who enjoyed a free breakfast courtesy of their shires.

The Town and Shire of Narrogin did not disappoint and put on a splendid spread of bacon, eggs, sausages and doughnuts for community members who attended the celebrations.

As well as providing the opportunity for friends to enjoy each other’s company, each shire celebrated people who had given outstanding service to their communities.

Town of Narrogin active citizen winner Delia Youngman with Mayor Leigh Ballard. Picture: Pia van Straalen

Town of Narrogin volunteer Delia Joy Youngman was awarded the Premier’s Active Citizenship Award for her contribution to the Narrogin community over the past decade.

Town Mayor Leigh Ballard said Ms Youngman had devoted her time tirelessly and selflessly to the Salvation Army, Narrogin Family Dance, Narrogin Art Group, Narrogin Nursing Home and Karinya.

Part of her volunteering work included organising regular dance nights and entertainment for residents at the nursing home, and fundraising events for Karinya.

Mrs Youngman said she never expected the recognition.

“The great thing about volunteering is that you get to choose what you do — and who wouldn’t want to sing and dance,” she said.

Mr Ballard gave the group award to the Narrogin sub-branch of the Returned Services League for their ongoing commitment to supporting returned servicemen and women in the community.

Shire of Narrogin active citizen Sally Rogers with Shire councillor Janice Sieber. Picture: Pia van Straalen

In the Shire of Narrogin, Councillor Janice Sieber awarded Sally Rogers with the Shire’s Active Citizenship Award for her community service, in particular her role as chairwoman for Narrogin’s Relay for Life.

Mrs Rogers said she was honoured to receive the award, and joked that after 10 years in Narrogin she hoped this “means I’m a local now”.

Mrs Rogers paid tribute to the community and volunteer organisations for helping her raise almost $85,000 in 2014 alone at Relay for Life events.

In Brookton, Ross Evans was recognised as the Citizen of the Year. He was celebrated for his passion for Brookton and all it has to offer.

Spanning 50 years, Mr Evans was an active member of the Brookton Choral Society in the late 1960s, early 1970s, and an active member of the Catholic community.

He has long held membership with the Brookton football, basketball and cricket clubs and was an active volunteer with the Brookton volunteer fire brigade.

The Shire also handed out three community service awards, the first to Brad Mills for his commitment to rebuilding and improving the Old Time Motor Show, the second to Jim White, who for more than 10 years was the only remaining active member of the Brookton RSL and co-ordinated the community Anzac Day service.

Jessie Fancote was given the third community service award, honoured for her ongoing efforts to raise money for cancer research.

Narrogin Mayor Leigh Ballard with new Australians Isaac Makasi and Nicole and Joseph Felipe. Picture: Pia van Straalen

The community event award was jointly won by the Brookton Choral Society and Brookton Pingelly Football Club.

The choral society was recognised for its huge contribution to the Brookton community and surrounding districts over the past 50 years, while the football club was awarded for hosting a 1928 to 1995 reunion, and its first reunion of the 1980-1983 premiership teams.

In Wagin, Sandra Moffatt from the Wagin Gun Club was awarded Sportsperson of the Year, while John Stuart Johansson was chosen for the Premier’s Australia Day Active Citizenship Award for his long service to many groups.

Community-minded teen Dana Stephens, 16, won the Premier’s Australia Day Active Citizenship Award for a person under 25 years and Wagin Palliative Care was awarded the Premier’s Australia Day Active Citizenship Award for a community group.

Boddington’s citizen of the year was Maxine Marston, who was honoured for her volunteer work for groups including the Tidy Towns Association, Boddington CWA, fire brigade, State Emergency Service and Friends of the Reserves, while the Boddington Triathlon Club won the group award.

Wickepin honoured Stephen Hill as Citizen of the Year for his contributions to the community, including as an ambulance volunteer and his involvement in the Wickepin Golf Club.

Mulvie Corke was recognised as the Senior Citizen of the Year for her contributions as a member of the Yealering community and the Shire of Wickepin for more than 60 years.

Alexander Heffernan was named the Young Citizen of the Year for his volunteering efforts.

Last year, Alexander was awarded Junior State Bush Poet Champion, performed with his guitar for senior citizens’ groups and volunteered his time to youth camps, and at 12 years old was recognised as a great role model for younger children.

In Pingelly, the community celebrated Sportsperson of the Year Richard Leake for his ongoing contribution to sports in the town, while the community services award went to Brian Weatherhead for his volunteer efforts, in particular his long-term commitment to the Pingelly Men’s Shed.

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