AUSTRALIA Day in Boyup Brook was celebrated by almost 200 people, commencing with a flag raising ceremony and singing of the national anthem.
The shire councillors then prepared breakfast for everyone to enjoy. Following breakfast, Shire President Cr Michael Giles announced the recipients of the 2015 Shire of Boyup Brook Australia Day Awards.
The Citizen of the Year award was presented to Lisa Martin, a widely loved and respected community member who has a passion for voluntary work.
She is involved with a number of organisations including the Boyup Brook Football Club, Country Music Club of Boyup Brook - Ute and Truck Muster Sub Committee and Upper Blackwood Agricultural Society. Her involvement with Home and Community Care (HACC) has seen many unpaid hours spent doing all sorts of things to benefit the seniors. She is also a driving force in the organisation of the annual Seniors’ Lunch.
Ms Martin has a ‘can-do’ attitude but is very humble about her contribution to the community.
“We are so lucky to have a great community and when you ask someone to do something they go ‘yep’ - it’s very rare that you get a knock back,” Ms Martin said.
The Young Achiever of the Year was awarded to Angela Chilwell.
At fifteen years of age, Miss Chilwell has achieved an incredible amount, displays leadership qualities and is a role model for not only her peers and younger children, but also older members of the community.
Miss Chilwell’s long list of accomplishments in the facets of sport, particularly hockey where she has achieved State representation, music and academia is proof that she is a true young leader in the Boyup Brook community.
Sports person of the year was awarded to Jodi Nield, whose passion for sport in general has increased local participation levels, particularly at the junior level.
Her on-field hockey achievements have earned numerous club fairest and best awards, as well as association awards in Collie and Bunbury. Ms Nield has also taken on many off-field roles for the Boyup brook hockey council and Boyup Brook Tennis Club including Secretary, Junior Coordinator, Junior Coach and Open Tournament Director.
In her acceptance speech, Ms Nield took the opportunity to commend the Shire for the quality sporting facilities provided to the community.
The President’s Award went to Lynda Coote, and was received by her husband Gordon and son Mathew.
In October 2014, Boyup Brook lost an inspiring and driven community leader in Mrs Coote.
Upon arriving in 1999, Mrs Coote instantly became involved with the community through the school’s P&C Association. Through the years she was involved with many other organisations including the Blackwood Basin Group, Tennis, Swimming and Hockey Clubs, becoming an umpire with no prior knowledge of the game.
Perhaps what is not widely known is the impact Mrs Coote had on the WA Community Resource Network, establishing Boyup Brook as a leader in the network, providing support to many managers, creating network opportunities, whilst simultaneously developing programs and initiatives for the Boyup Brook community. She also established the Registered Training Organisation to provide regional students with an alternative training experience, allowing 80 students to complete qualifications over a four year period.
