Published on Sunday, 26 January 2020 at 3:00:00 PM
The Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale was proud to welcome 110 new Australian citizens at its biggest citizenship ceremony of the year as part of its Australia Day celebrations today.
The Shire’s newest citizens hail from 33 different countries including Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Great Britain, India, South Africa, Colombia, the Philippines and Ethiopia.
Shire President Michelle Rich said the Shire was honoured that so many new Australian citizens called Serpentine Jarrahdale home.
“Each year we are privileged to welcome new citizens to our growing community as part of Australia Day celebrations,” Cr Rich said.
“We are truly lucky to live in such a thriving multicultural community.”
Community members who have made a significant contribution to the Shire were also recognised at the Shire’s Australia Day Awards Ceremony, with Tom Hoyer presented the Clem Kentish Community Service Award for service to the community for more than 20 years.
Having lived in the Shire for the past 40 years, Mr Hoyer has been involved in the local community through the Jarrahdale Tennis Club, SJ Men's Shed, Byford and Districts Rotary Club, Cardup Volunteer Fire Brigade, SJ Residents and Ratepayers Association, Byford Probus Club as well as being a former councillor of the Shire.
Cr Rich said Mr Hoyer had made a significant contribution to improving the welfare, health, safety and recreational opportunities within the Shire.
“Tom is a valuable asset to our community and thoroughly deserves the 2020 Clem Kentish Award,” Cr Rich said.
Mundijong resident Marilyn Marsden was recognised with the Australia Day WA Community Citizen of the Year Award for her work in maintaining and facilitating a home base for Alcoholics Anonymous at the Mundijong Heritage Uniting Church.
Ms Marsden has also been instrumental in acquiring grants to improve the church’s facilities for all and the delivery of garden space adjacent to the building.
The Australia Day WA Senior Community Citizen of the Year Award was presented to Colleen Rankin.
A previous winner of the Clem Kentish Award and a recipient of the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2007, Mrs Rankin has a proud history of volunteering in the community, which she continues to do today.
Mrs Rankin, a former councillor and Shire president, is passionate about the environment and has made a significant contribution to improving the Shire’s nature and road reserves by helping plant thousands of trees and shrubs through her volunteer work with Byford Envirolink since 2006.
The Byford and Districts Rotary Club presented the Rotary Service Above Self Award, which was awarded to Margaret Ward.
Cr Rich said the Shire was grateful for the contribution of the four award winners.
“They don’t do the work they do for recognition, but it is important that we recognise these great citizens,” Cr Rich said.
“They all are inspirations within our community and without their work our Shire wouldn’t be the great place it is to live in today.
“Congratulations and thank you to Tom, Marilyn, Colleen, Margaret and all the nominees.”
More than 200 people took advantage of free children’s activities and enjoyed a free community BBQ breakfast as part of the Shire’s Australia Day celebrations.
The Shire acknowledges the Lions Club of Serpentine Jarrahdale, Rotary Club of Byford & Districts, Byford Baptist Church, Heritage Country Choir and Local Volunteer Bushfire Brigades for making the Australia Day Awards and Citizenship Ceremonies possible.
Photo: 2020 Shire Australia Day Award Winners with Shire President Cr Michelle Rich.
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