29 January 2024

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, 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 commended 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,” Cr Leonard 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.

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

Senior Community Citizen of the Year

Victor Gatfield

Vic has been nominated for his commitment to the St John Ambulance Irwin sub-centre. As a volunteer ambulance officer he has played a crucial role this year, responding to nearly half of the callouts in the Dongara-Port Denison region.

He has volunteered more than 472 hours, exclusive of training. His reliability and availability to support and provide emergency medical assistance on almost a daily basis has enabled other officers to attend with him driving, and also to attend himself with other drivers.

Given the scarcity of volunteers, Vic’s contributions to both the community and the Irwin sub-centre of St John Ambulance are truly invaluable.

We thank you Vic for your dedication to such a vital service.

Young Community Citizen of the Year

Jasmine Elder-Thies

Jasmine’s dedication and motivation to help people enjoy the love of dance and exercise is to be admired. She goes above and beyond her role as owner of Move n Groove Dance. So much of her own time is spent helping her dancers.

For example, many hours organising a Dance Camp designed to expose the young dancers of Dongara to the 'World of the Arts' down in Perth.

She is a fantastic role model and her commitment and positive energy is to be admired. She dedicates numerous hours to produce the annual dance concert for the Dongara community to enjoy and achieves amazing results with her passion and commitment.

The community is so very lucky to have you Jasmine.

Montana Owen

Montana has made a significant contribution to the local community and is an inspiring role model.

She has been a member of Dongara Denison Surf Club since 2005 and volunteers her time doing patrols each summer season. In 2023, Montana was awarded the Senior Patrol Person of the Year and in 2022, she received the President’s award for her outstanding contribution to the club.

She is also a committee member and has been in charge of the club uniforms for the past 3 years. During this time she was involved with designing and ordering the new club bathers. Montana was also on the sub committee to organize the club’s 20 Year Anniversary.

During the 12 years the Surf Club was involved in running the Drive In, Montana regularly volunteered her time in the kitchen to help fundraise for the surf club.

She also volunteers her time in assisting with the Irwin District Charity Ball, set up and pack down.

Well done Montana, your dedication to our community is very impressive.

Mannelle Wilson

Mannelle is an outstanding role model and over the years has volunteered and contributed to many different activities, projects and events.

This has included helping with LDAG, Wildfire, The Placemaking Group, Soroptimist Group, P&C, assisting at dance and roller discos, the drive-ins, selling raffle tickets and market stalls.

Mannelle has a cheerful attitude, a calm presence, and a can-do attitude. She has been a rock of stability, taking on extra voluntary shifts at times helping many committees in desperate need of help. 

She has grown into a young leader and this year had the privilege of being invited to be a public quest speaker on Remembrance Day.

Congratulations Mannelle.

Tristan Gillis

Tristan has been an active volunteer of the historical society for many years. He shows a great interest in learning about all things history, including that of our region. He has won many history awards also whilst attending school.

Tristan always aims to please and a willingness to share his passion for the knowledge of history. It is encouraging to see a local youth actively engage in a volunteer role within our community.

Well done Tristian.

Active Citizenship Award for Community Group or Event

Dongara Denison Bowling Club

The current committee of the Dongara Denison Bowling Club have revitalised the club over the past 12 to 18 months. The club is now a weekly highlight to many locals and tourists attending for competition or social interaction. This is generating interest from new people of all ages.

The committee work tirelessly to accommodate groups of locals and tourists. Each year they hold carnivals which bring hundreds of people to town, showcasing not only the club, but our region as well.

We congratulate the committee of the Dongara Denison Bowling club for all their hard work and dedication to the club.

Dongara Surf-lifesaving Club

Dongara Surf-lifesaving Club have demonstrated active citizenship and enhanced our community life many years. They have educated our young people about water safety and have kept our beaches safe.

They also volunteer their time at the Irwin District Charity Ball and the Dongara Drive In’s.

Well done to the Dongara Surf-lifesaving Club you are a huge asset to our community.

Irwin District Historical Society

The Irwin District Historical Society dedicated to preserving the history of the Irwin Districts of Western Australia through our research office and three museums located at the Old Dongara Police Station, Russ Cottage and The Packout Room.

The IDHS is run entirely by a group of incredibly dedicated volunteers and is led by Chair Dr. Bruce Baskerville who goes above and beyond with the time and effort he commits to our community and preserving our heritage.

A big thank you to the Irwin District Historical Society.

Dongara Pottery Club

The Dongara Pottery Club is an outstanding community group. They welcome everyone into the club, have activities for people of all ages including young children and teenager.

This club does everything they can to reach the community, bring community together and help volunteer at different places and events.

The Club is run by a small but extremely dedicated committee who have helped the Club thrive and offered great support to our very talented members that are well known for their astonishing work.

The pottery club is a beautiful welcoming, inviting, relaxing environment that everyone can enjoy. Well done Potheads' keep up the marvelous work.

Community Citizen of the Year

Barry Wyse

Barry is an honorable mention, as he is a sitting member of the Council and not eligible to receive an award.

Barry is an active citizen who wears many hats from local business owner, to councilor, to volunteer and major contributor to this community.

He actively assists in whatever way he can. Bringing community together and helping raise much need funds when needed for many nonprofit organisations.

As president of the Dongara Irwin Race Club Barry poured his heart and soul to the Club. 

He had a vision of an upgrade and made it his mission to continue to build on the excellent work of previous committees. Organising busy bees, donating supplies from his own business, finding and encouraging contractors to lend a hand and offering hours upon hours of his own time, painting, fixing and significantly upgrading the Club.

He is a voice and a friend to our community, and we are very lucky to have him.

Well done Barry.

Debra Dempster

Debra Dempster please join me on stage

Debra is a tireless worker and helper wherever she is needed. She never has to be asked, just turns up, pulling weeds, setting up quilts, transporting people round, taking people to their favourite events if they are unable to attend, stands in as gym teacher, she is just an all-round good person.

She runs the family business very successfully, arranges outings near and far for people.

Debra is a friend to all who cross her path and we are very lucky to have her in our community.

Congratulations Deb. 

Tegan Goedecke

Tegan is involved in multiple sporting clubs and over many years has volunteered on committees for Dongara junior football, Dongara netball club and Dongara football club and 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.

Thank you and congratulations Teagan!

Erin Greaves

Erin has actively been involved in the Dongara Netball Club for over 10 years. During this time she has been coach, committee member, secretary and president.

In 2022 she held the position of secretary and president, and without out her the club would have struggled to continue. She attended multiple North Midland Meetings which are held in Three Springs which the club loses puts if no delegate attends.

Erin’s love for netball shines in how she assists on and off the netball court. Providing support to the coaches, increasing the morale for the players when games were lost and providing lifts for those who couldn’t get transport to the other towns for games.

We appreciate your efforts Erin – well done!