A handful of South-West residents and organisations were formally acknowledged in this year's Regional Achievement and Community Awards.
At an official event on Friday, October 18, Eaton's Les Wallam became the proud recipient of the 2019 RAC Volunteering Award.
"It was certainly a surprise," he said.
"Many of our volunteers travelled up to Perth for the ceremony, which was nice."
Mr Wallam was rewarded for his efforts in assisting the development of the Roelands community.
The indigenous elder has turned Roelands - a former Stolen Generation mission site - into a village of 30 houses on 500 acres of land.
Thanks to Mr Wallam and the Western Australian Indigenous Tourism Operators Council, Roelands has become a unique tourist attraction.
Along with overseeing the village, Mr Wallam now serves as Woolkabunning Kiaka Inc's volunteer chief executive officer.
WA iSports inc. celebrated after receiving this year's Woolworths Community Group of the Year Award.
The organisation allows people with disabilities to participate in sporting activities and wellbeing programs.
Operating out of its Payne Park headquarters, the group hosts weekly training sessions and an annual multi-sports event.
Last year, WA iSports inc. sent 14 athletes and eight volunteers to Malaysia for a 'sporting and cultural exchange' tour.
Harvey's South West Community Care was honoured to receive the Prime Super Employer Excellence in Aged Care Award.
Over the past three decades, the organisation has supported many senior citizens and employees.
Australind's Bianca Turri - Photographer was presented as a finalist in the Ricoh Australia Customer Service Award category.
Fellow South-West finalists Gravity ETC (Dalyellup), Claire Roach (Harvey), Harvey Community Radio, Joelene Lavrick (Eaton), Lynette Hillier, Tyril Houghton (Australind), and the South West Community Legal Centre (South Bunbury) were applauded for their efforts over the past 12 months.
