Community focus important to Australia Day celebrations
Shannon Bochenek and Tari JeffersManjimup-Bridgetown Times
The importance of contributing to the community was a focal point for Australia Day Citizen of the Year award winners throughout the region.
Australia Day ceremonies for the shires of Bridgetown-Greenbushes and Manjimup were held on Friday as part of the national holiday festivities.
In Manjimup, Citizen of the Year was Pemberton resident Mark Hudson, Youth Citizen of the Year was Northcliffe resident Khiara Holdsworth, 15, Senior Citizen of the Year was Manjimup resident Harvey Giblett and Community Group of the Year was the Walpole Yacht Club.
Bridgetown-Greenbushes’s Active Citizen of the Year was Barbara Johnson, Senior Citizen of the Year was Rita Baldock, Community Group of the Year was Grow Greenbushes and Douglas Sumner-McGhie, 13, was Junior Citizen of the Year.
Mr Giblett said he had always wanted to make sure people knew how much he cared about Manjimup.
“I can’t quite believe I’m standing up here receiving the award,” he said.
“So thanks to the people who nominated me and to those who judged me against so many outstanding candidates.
“Our town punches well above its weight in everything.
“I will continue to give my wholehearted support to everything that comes up for Manjimup and the region.”
Allegra, 7, Ysabel, 7, Reina, 4 and mother Kathryn Ruiz Diaz enjoyed breakfast in Bridgetown. Credit: Shannon Bochenek
In Bridgetown, the community continued to celebrate the 150th anniversary of its gazettal as a big crowd filled the veranda, gazebos, and bleachers at the Bridgetown Showgrounds for the Australia Day breakfast and citizen awards ceremony.
Breakfast was served from 7.30am by the shire councillors and Warren-Blackwood MLA Terry Redman told the crowd Australia Day was a time to reflect about what it meant to be Australian.
Colin and Sue Caters came from London to visit Colin’s brother Peter and Patricia Cater. Credit: Shannon Bochenek, Shannon Bochenek.
Three members of the Klette family were presented with Australian Citizenship and the Citizen of the Year award winners were recognised for their community involvement.
While Douglas was recognised for his impact with his wildlife work, Mrs Johnson was recognised for enhancing the lives of the community’s retirees with “fun, friends, fellowship and food,” among other contributions and Mrs Baldock was commended for her 59 years of community involvement across many clubs and community groups.
More pictures from Lower South West Australia Day celebrations
Bridgetown locals Jennie Linto, Daun Crozier and Simon Harrington enjoyed a morning in the sun together ahead of the citizenship ceremony. Credit: Shannon Bochenek, Shannon Bochenek.The 2017 Bridgetown-Greenbushes Citizen’s of the year hoist the Australian flag as the national anthem played to open the citizenship ceremony. Credit: Shannon Bochenek, Shannon Bochenek.Samuel Klette with mother Bronwyn and Sister Kirsty were presented with Australian citizenship. Bronwyn’s emotional pledge of loyalty to Australia and it’s people was punctuated by “happy tears.” Credit: Shannon Bochenek, Shannon Bochenek.
2018’s Bridgetown-Greenbushes Citizens of the Year Barbara Johnson and Senior Citizen of the Year Rita Baldock hold their certificates of recognition high. Both said they felt “honoured” and gave thanks to those who had nominated them as worthy for the awards. Credit: Shannon Bochenek, Shannon Bochenek.Shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes 2018 Youth Citizen of the Year Douglas Sumner-McGhie ,13, was recognised for his passion for wildlife and his work rescuing and protecting native fauna. Credit: Shannon Bochenek, Shannon Bochenek.Shire of Manjimup senior citizen of the year nominee Nancy Jennings and Hazel Vermeulen, both of Walpole. Credit: Tari JeffersBill Vermeulen and Jack Jennings, both of Walpole. Credit: Tari JeffersThere was an unusual visitor at the Walpole Australia Day celebrations. Credit: Tari JeffersLucy Hoskins, 8, of Peaceful Bay, received her prize for winning best score in her age group from Manjimup shire president Paul Omodei. Credit: Tari JeffersElla Coleman, 11, of Perth, receives a prize from Manjimup shire president Paul Omodei. Credit: Tari JeffersMadison Vaughn, 11, ofPerth, with the highly commended certificate she received for her scone. Credit: Tari JeffersMargot Pierce, of Hazelvale, with the prize she won for her award-winning scone. Credit: Tari JeffersManjimup shire councillor Dave Tapley and his son Greg, both of Walpole. Credit: Tari JeffersHenry, 3, and Angus Laseed, 5, both of Perth. Credit: Tari Jeffers
