27 January 2023

Outstanding community spirit was applauded at our 2023 Australia Day celebrations.

The Community Citizen of the Year Awards recognise those in our community who are doing extraordinary work – making our Shire a better place to live. This year we had eight nominees across four categories.

The Community Citizen of the Year Awards recognise the outstanding contribution by local people to local communities – the recipients are judged against a number of criteria including how they value add to their community and act as role models for others. 

The Community Citizen of the Year Award – Citizen of the Year was presented to Jim Phillips.

Jim Phillips has been actively involved in Dongara's sporting scene for 30 years. Not only at a playing level but predominately a committee level for both cricket and football.

He is the only person between the codes to be a life member of both sporting clubs and his efforts throughout the years at an administrative level has brought and maintained a level of stability to a struggling sport scene in the region.

Jim volunteers his skills, his wisdom and kind heart in sporting groups of all age, from nippers to veterans. Jim has been a strong motivator for positive change and is an inspiring, kind, committed role model for youth, parents and club members

Shire of Irwin President Mike Smith congratulated all the winners and nominees.

“The Shire of Irwin is so grateful for these wonderful people and I am pleased to have the opportunity to show them how much we appreciate their efforts and commitment to creating a better Dongara – Port Denison,” Cr Smith said.

The Australia Day WA Active Citizen of the Year Awards were presented to the following individuals and groups:

• Community Citizen of the Year (Overall) – Jim Phillips
• Senior of the Year – Graeme Roberts
• Young Citizen of the Year – Raine Jeffery
• Active Citizenship Award (Group) – Dongara Osprey Girl Guides

The Australia Day WA Active Citizen of the Year Awards are supported by Auspire and the Australia Day Council WA.

More information about the Awards is available at www.auspire.org.au

Nominees for the Shire of Irwin 2023 Community Citizen of the Year Awards

Community Citizen of the Year

Sophie Watson

Sophie is the Secretary of the Dongara Football Club and has been for many years. She is highly involved with the North Midlands Footbal League on behalf of the Dongara Club. Sophie is prepared and always comes equipped with the required supplies for any strapping the players may need before the game.

She goes above and beyond for the Dongara Football Club in every possible way! Everyone you ask will say something great about Sophie. Her positivity, her motivation and willingness to assist the team is inspiring.

Well done Sophie!

Jim Phillips

Jim Phillips has been actively involved in Dongara's sporting scene for 30 years. Not only at a playing level but predominately a committee level for both cricket and football.

He is the only person between the codes to be a life member of both sporting clubs. Jim's efforts throughout the years at an administrative level has brought and maintained a level of stability to a struggling sport scene in the region. Jim has demonstrated his strength in the leadership required to keep these sporting groups operating local, growing, and evolving.

Without Jim's consistent involvement we would have not seen the success both clubs have achieved.

His active voluntary community roles have continued even in the face of dealing with personal issues. Jim volunteers his skills, his wisdom and kind heart in sporting groups of all age, from nippers to veterans. Jim has been a strong motivator for positive change and is an inspiring, kind, committed role model for youth, parents and club members

Thank you for your effort and dedication Jim.

Ria Kirkman

According to her nominee and I must agree - Ria is absolutely amazing! She is 85 and nothing stops her. She is fearless, determined and always giving to the community.

Ria is really inspiring. Not long after losing her husband, she was down at CRC offering to help and teach people with their computer skills. She keeps up to date with everything.

Ria is very active within our community - she organises Building Better Bones at the Autumn Centre each Friday, volunteers for Meals on Wheels, driving WACHS cars and doing deliveries.

Ria also volunteers to drive patients to Geraldton for appointments and bring them back home and is an active member of Dongara Tennis Club.

Ria is an incredible woman whose tenacity is to be admired, she is a role model and makes an outstanding contribution to our community.  

Thank you Ria!

Senior Community Citizen of the Year

Kym McGlinn

Kym created a centre for community crafting at her shop the Empty Bobbin. Even though she has now unfortunately left town to care for a family member, she was such an amazing advocate for the Shire and her contribution to community deserves to be recognised.

Kym’s enthusiasm was infectious. In her business the quality of her work was high and she generously taught this to other people through her crafting classes. Kym was an active member of our community and was involved in many initiatives such as the recent Pink Up Dongara campaign, but she was also active further afield. She was instrumental in the HD Streetwise Quilting Angels initiative that saw people across the Mid West donate fabric and make quilts for the homeless that were then distributed in Perth.

We were sad to see her go but are truly grateful for the contribution she made to the Shire of Irwin. Thank you, Kym.

Michele White

Michele was nominated for her pivotal role in the Soroptimist International Pink Up Dongara Denison breast cancer fundraising campaign.

Having battled breast cancer herself, Michele now offers support for those in a similar situation through Breast Cancer Sister’s.

When the Pink Up Dongara Denison campaign swung into action Michele’s commitment and dedication was admirable – working for months on the event.

She turned her home into Pink headquarters where she dealt with endless letters, emails, messages, phone calls, crafting and sewing. It became like a full-time job coordinating everything behind the scenes.

Through her work Michele helped bring invaluable breast cancer awareness to the community and raise funds for the McGrath Foundation nurses.

Although the Soroptimist International Pink Up Dongara Denison breast cancer fundraising campaign was organised by a very dedicated team. Michele’s, incredible work behind the scenes needs to be acknowledged.

Well done Michele the community is lucky to have you.

Graeme Roberts

Robbo is a humble man and has never asked for personal recognition which is why he was nominated.  

He is a role model through his leadership of the Men in Sheds group, and his exceptional contributions to the community.

He is passionate about men’s mental health, which is why he is so dedicated to the Men in Sheds, who to give men a purpose in their life through giving to community and encouraging positive change.

Under Robbo’s leadership the Men in Sheds a thriving, they have secured profitable industry contracts – such as the recycling of scrap metal and then redirected the profits from these projects back into the local community.

These profits have been spent on various initiatives such as the sponsoring of local sporting groups and the donation of bench seats along Point Leander Drive.

The group have also facilitated and funded the Memorial Park upgrade along with the local RSL, supported by local industry.

This Christmas he built 20 Christmas trees for the children in our town to decorate, the Shire Christmas tree and special chess boards for the Health Centre.

Robbo will help anyone in need and is always doing odd jobs for others in our town.

We are very lucky to have him – thank you Robbo.

Young Community Citizen of the Year

Raine Jeffery

Raine Jeffery was nominated in the Youth category for volunteering so much of her time to coach and umpire the Dongara Sub Junior Netball girls teams over the last few years.

She not only gives up her afternoons and weekends to coach and umpire for the club but she has spent a lot of time mentoring her girls on finding a balance for their mental health and happiness.

She has nuturerd them on many levels and the girls look up to her as a role model. Raine also spends time teaching local children how to play the guitar and takes part in many community events such as beach cleanups. She displays remarkable community spirit.

Active Citizenship Award for Community Group or Event

Dongara Osprey Girl Guides

The leaders at Girl Guides provide an amazing opportunity for girls in the Shire of Irwin to make new friendships as well as learn new skills and develop confidence.

The girls are active members of our community – picking up rubbish around the marina every month and taking part in ANZAC day services. The leaders have taught the girls sewing, fire safety, the importance of caring for our environment and many other valuable life skills.

The volunteer leaders at Girl Guides are patient and kind, they organize activities such as the regular beach clean ups, outings and camps. The Girl Guides empower girls, teaching valuable skills, building caring friendships and community involvement. Kylie Wynne the leader of the Girl Guides has bought positive change into the lives of local girls helping build self-esteem and modelling positive behaviour.

Nominated twice for this award - every member of the Dongara Osprey Girl Guides should be extremely proud of their efforts. Well done!