Australia Day in Serpentine Jarrahdale welcomed 17 residents as Australian Citizens and celebrated our community champions.
Some residents across the shire attended a big breakfast and cricket match and others were welcomed as Australian Citizens at the annual Australia Day Awards and Citizenship Ceremony.
During the awards the Clem Kentish Community Service Award was presented to a community member who contributed a minimum of 20 years’ service to the local community.
This year the Clem Kentish award recipient was Alan Elliott who is a founding board member of Landcare SJ which begun in November 2002.
Mr Elliott designed the Cockatube, an artificial nest hollow for Black Cockatoo’s, in 2005.
The Community Citizen of the Year award winner was Don Warner led the Byford Baptist Church Free Food Market for many years and is recognised for his efforts ensuring the market was able to continue in 2020 during the peak of COVID-19 and lockdowns in Western Australia.
Senior Community Citizen of the Year was awarded to Ian Nice who has been a daily presence in the Jarrahdale Heritage Park.
Ian has inspected the park daily for the last four years and clears up any litter, cleans the pathways and ensures they are accessible.
He also developed gardens behind the Jarrahdale Café and the gardens near the Old Nurses Quarters.
Youth Recognition Award was given to Thomas Dawson, Zain Jeffery and Reece Thatcher for their involvement in the Ride4Ash Urban Art Project.
Ride4Ash is an initiative that begun to honour the life of Byford Secondary College student Ashley Graham who passed in 2018.
Thomas, Zain and Reece all secured grant funding, obtained quotes, scheduled project design workshops and delivered an urban art mural at the local Byford Skate Park in collaboration with the Shire and urban artist Dan Duggan.
Active Citizenship Award was presented to Jarrahdale Heritage Society, Guided Walks Group.
Since 1993, the Jarrahdale Heritage Society has provided guided walks, starting with a history walk during Heritage Week and developed into a monthly walk during cooler months.
These walks are organised and run by volunteers from the Jarrahdale Heritage Society and are trained in first aid. They prepare for each walk to ensure all walkers have a positive and memorable experience.
Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale President Michelle Rich said the ceremony was an opportunity for the community 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 people in our Shire to reflect on and affirm their Australian citizenship as we warmly welcome our newest citizens.”
The Shire celebrations also included a big breakfast and cricket match, which 400 people attended.
All had a great day, enjoyed the breakfast and the cricket match was a big hit.
