07 February 2024

Shire President Update

It is with regret that I inform the community that Councillor Hayley Palmer has decided to resign from her role as Elected Member on the Irwin Shire Council effective 25 January.

On behalf of Council and the Irwin community I’d like to thank Hayley for her contribution as an Elected Member over the past 4 years.

Hayley was always willing to bring new ideas and strong advocacy to her role as Councillor and I feel sure she will continue to contribute through other avenues to our community.

We wish Hayley and her family well for their future endeavours.

Information regarding the extraordinary local government election required to replace Councillor Palmer will be released in due course.

Recently we lost a long standing, dedicated member of our community with the passing of Norman Summers. Shire of Irwin Councillors, staff and I offer our sincere condolences to Norman’s family.

Norman was a father, grandfather and great grandfather, the patriarch of his family, he was a man of the land and a treasured member of our community. A World War 2 veteran, who served in the RAAF, Norman moved to Irwin in 1960 with his wife Elaine and children Peter and Helen, after he purchased some land on the Arrowsmith River.

Norman was dedicated to our region and served on the Irwin Shire Council for a remarkable 29 years from 1970 to 1999. He spent four of those years – 1974 to 1979 as Shire President.

We commend and thank Norman for his years of service with the Shire of Irwin. He will be truly missed.

Finally the Shire of Irwin presented the Australia Day Citizen of the Year Awards over the long weekend.

It was an absolute honour to spend time with this remarkable group of people, who so generously give up their time for the betterment of our Shire.

I commend all of you for your efforts and thank you for your commitment to community.

Community Citizen of the Year Awards

Outstanding community spirit was on proud display at our 2024 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 the Shire of Irwin had fourteen 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 several criteria including how they value add to their community and act as role models for others.

This year the Community Citizen of the Year Award – Citizen of the Year was awarded to Tegan Goedecke.

Tegan is involved in multiple sporting clubs and over many years has volunteered on committees for Dongara junior football, the Dongara netball club and the Dongara football club and has taken on many roles. She is always willing to lend a hand when volunteers are required and does it with no complaints.

Tegan also provides sponsorship for awards which adds great benefits to clubs. She wants the best for everyone and it shows in her love of the sports and her kids.

Shire of Irwin President Mark Leonard said all the winners and nominees should be highly applauded for their commitment to the Irwin community.

“I congratulate all of you. You are remarkable individuals, role models and your dedication to the Shire of Irwin is truly appreciated,” he 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) – Tegan Goedecke
• Senior of the Year – Victor Gatfield
• Young Citizen of the Year – Montana Owen
• Active Citizenship Award (Group) - Denison Bowling Club

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 here and to read about all this year's nominees visit here.

Australia Day on the Foreshore

A big thank you to everyone who came along to our Australia Day community celebration!

We are especially grateful for our volunteers, as well as the Lions Club and Year 6 Camp volunteers who kept the crowds fed.

Thanks also to Shane Croke for singing the national anthem, all the local and Mid West businesses that helped make the day a huge success and the band Goodstock for providing the soundtrack for the day.

Download this month's Community Update here