Ian Bushell has taken out the honour of Collie’s citizen of the year at the annual Australia Day awards.
Mr Bushell was recognised for his service to the community for over 40 years since moving to Collie to become the Coles store manager.
Among his many community achievements, Mr Bushell said he was especially proud of his work in the building the Menshed and the Collie River video project, as well as the Christmas Pageant and his work in getting Collie’s natural attractions upgraded.
Mr Bushell also paid tribute to all the other nominees and volunteers who give their time to the community.
“There’s a lot of people in Collie who go under the radar and spend a lot of personal time making Collie a place to be,” he said.
Hayden Barber was named Collie’s young citizen of the year for his volunteer work at the Coalfields Museum.
Collie PCYC was recognised with the community group of the year award for its programs and support directed towards the youth of Collie.
Centre manager Linda Gallagher said the award was a testament to the work put in by volunteers to run the programs and the support received by Collie Police.
“We’ve undergone a massive transformation over the last two years and we’re no longer the place where the naughty kids hang out. We’re a youth centre for all the kids of Collie just how we should have been all those years ago,” she said.
“I would like to thank Senior Sergeant Heath Soutar, without his support our PCYC would not be anywhere near as awesome as it is today.
“I would (also) like to thank our massive contingent of volunteers that are at the centre – all of our programs are run by volunteers and we can’t do what we do without them.”
The Friends of the Collie River took out the Environmental Award for its work in engaging the community to rehabilitate the Collie River and Minninup Pool.
Group coordinator Donna Davies said it was especially to win the award which is held in honour of former shire environmental officer Ron Van Delft.
“This award was in Ron’s honour and I did work with Ron, so it means an awful lot to me,” she said.
Ms Davies also thanked the Rotary Club and the shire for supporting the group.
“After working with the shire, I could see a need in the community … to get people having a sense of ownership of the river and activities,” she said.
“We’ve had over 300 participations in seven or eight events during the year.”
The award ceremony also saw local volunteer bush fire brigade members recognised for their service to the community with the 15-year National Service Medal being awarded to Allan Bowers, Stuart Jones, Terry Kowal, Isabella Bishop, William Harper, Karen Molloy, Bradley Bowden, Adam Becker, Michael Hart, Brett King, Daniel Bourgeois, Thomas Craigie, Christine Genev, Duncan Marshall, Steven Melvin, Laurence Roberts and Delys Watt.
Harris River Bush Fire Brigade member Jay Hewson was also recognised with a National Service Medal for 25 years of service.
The day also saw Sarah, April and Jade Paton, originally of the Philippines, take part in an Australia Day citizenship ceremony.
To cap off the great morning, the Collie Lions and Leos clubs were on hand to provide their annual Australia Day breakfast for the strong crowd that turned out for the morning.
