The annual Australia Day breakfast at the Bridgetown Showgrounds acknowledged the 2018 Citizens of the Year.
Recognising and rewarding individuals and organisations who have made a notable contribution within the Bridgetown-Greenbushes shire is what helps make the awards such a special event, with Shire President Tony Pratico pleased to be able to present the awards again this year.
“These awards are made each year as a way to show our appreciation to those people in the community who have made a notable contribution during the past year or who have given outstanding service over a number of years,” he said.
Mr Pratico will present the awardees with certificates at the Australia Day breakfast and encourages everyone to come along to be a part of the celebrations.
The Bridgetown-Greenbushes Citizen of the year for 2018 is awarded to Barbara Johnson, with the Senior Citizen of the year being awarded to Rita Baldock, the Junior Citizen of the year being awarded to Douglas Summer-McGhie and the Active Citizen Group going to the Greenbushes Tidy Towns Committee.
Johnson, 78, has been recognised for her outstanding leadership skills and enthusiasm for organising successful events.
Since moving to Bridgetown 10 years ago, Johnson has been an active community member, recently working as a Research Officer for Hon. Robyn McSweeney MLC for three years, managing the Tweed Valley Lodge in Bridgetown for two years and as manager of the Bridgetown-Greenbushes Information Centre for four years.
As the current President of the Bridgetown Blackwood Valley Probus Club, she, along with a small committee, organised the 2017 South West ‘GetTogether’ in Bridgetown, with more than 200 Probus members and friends from the South West and metropolitan clubs attending the event.
The GetTogether provided tours to Talison Mine, local wineries and gardens and a historical street walk ensuring many local businesses benefited from the gathering.
For 59 years, Baldock, 80, has been a volunteer for almost every community organisation in the Bridgetown-Greenbushes shire, making her a well-deserved recipient of the 2018 Senior Citizen of the Year.
Rita has been an active member of the Bridgetown Tennis Club, Bridgetown Golf Club and Bridgetown Bowling Club, recognised for her dedication to each sport and for the amazing food she prepares.
Rita has also been a long-time supporter of the Geegelup Village Hostel, helped raise funds for the rebuilding of the local swimming pool, and has been on various committees including the Yornup Hall Committee and Bridgetown Meals on Wheels.
Douglas Sumner-McGhie, 14, was awarded 2018 Youth Citizen of the Year for his efforts in rescuing and nurturing native animals.
Douglas has an encyclopaedic knowledge about animals and native birds, which has helped him save the lives of many, including five kookaburras, three magpies and 28 parrots.
Douglas has given a talk to Greenbushes residents about his caring for birds and has provided information and advice to his fellow students at school.
Greenbushes has represented the state at the 2017 Australia’s Keep Australia Beautiful Tidy Towns Sustainable Communities Awards, ensuring they were winners of the Active Citizenship Group award.
The Greenbushes Tidy Towns Award, a sub-committee of Grow Greenbushes, has been entering the town in the competition for more than 20 years.
The Tidy Towns group also partners with the local primary school and local businesses to develop activities that ensure locals are involved in sustainability projects.
