All-rounder named citizen of year

Deanne Ventris, of Pemberton, has won Manjimup’s Community Citizen of the Year Award for 2021. The Auspire Citizen of the Year Awards were handed out as part of the Australia Day celebrations at Manjimup Heritage Park on Tuesday. Mrs Ventris is the president of Pemberton Mill Hall restoration committee, secretary of Pemberton Heritage History Group, a St John Ambulance officer and organises the Pemberton’s Got Talent concerts every year. Mrs Ventris said she thought the other nominees were deserving and felt humbled by winning the award. “I just love to give back to the Pemberton community,” she said. “It’s very humbling because there is a lot of community work and the other nominees are all very, very worthy of their nomination. “I just feel honoured, and privileged, and humbled by such an award.” Manjimup shire president Paul Omodei congratulated everybody nominated. “All of the nominees were worthwhile nominees and any of them would have made a good citizen of the year,” he said. “I think that shows how good and healthy this community is in that we had so many nominations. “Deanne is a most worthwhile winner, I know how much work she does.” Cr Omodei said the winner of the award was kept secret for two months despite Mrs Ventris’ husband Murray Ventris sitting on the council. “I think it was one of the best kept secrets of the shire of recent years,” he said. “The decision was made two months ago at a council meeting and Deanne’s husband Murray, who is a Pemberton ward councillor, was excluded from the meeting because of his conflict of interest, and it’s been kept a secret right up until today. “Which I think is a really good thing that shows everybody kept the story solid.” Other winners included Bianca Eleuteri as Youth Citizen of the Year, Michael Filby as Senior Citizen of the Year, and Manjimup Speedway Club winning the Active Citizenship Community Group or Event award.