Cr James Cook from the Shire of Morawa and Mayor Ron Norris from the Town of Mosman Park both received the prestigious award, along with 51 other Local Government Members who were honoured with a Certificate of Appreciation, Long and Loyal Service Award, or Distinguished Service Award.

WALGA President, Cr Bill Mitchell said the annual Local Government Honours Awards recognise those who have gone above and beyond their normal position requirements in order to better serve the community and the Local Government sector.

“More often than not it’s the unsung heroes that quietly go about their business and achieve extraordinary things that go unrecognised, so we take great pleasure in being able to present these awards each year,” Cr Mitchell said.

Elected to Council in 1984 and elected Shire President in 1992, James Cook is the longest serving Shire President in the history of the Morawa Shire, whilst Mayor Ron Norris is highly regarded as an enthusiastic leader who has been serving Local Government since he was first elected in 1979.

In addition to the Life Membership awarded to Cr Cook and Mayor Norris, the following Honours were awarded:

Life Membership
Cr Jim Cook, Shire of Morawa
Mayor Ronald Norris, Town of Mosman Park

Certificate of Appreciation
Cr William Dinnie, Shire of Dalwallinu
Cr Kevin Forbes AM, Shire of Plantagenet
Cr John Sewell, City of Geraldton-Greenough
Mr Gavin Watters, Shire of Swan, EMRC

Long and Loyal Service Award
Cr Bruce Altham, Shire of Kent
Mr Daniel Bignell, former Shire of Broomehill
Cr Barbara Black, Shire of Quairading
Mrs Marion Blair, City of Belmont
Cr David Boulter, Shire of Nannup
Cr Beverly Bracknell, Shire of Dumbleyung
Cr Dawson Bradford, Shire of Cuballing
Cr Jennifer Brown, Shire of Cuballing
Cr Kim Bunce, Shire of West Arthur
Cr Ken Clements, Shire of Plantagenet
Cr Paul Clements, City of Subiaco
Mr Allen Cooper, Shire of East Pilbara
Cr Ray Curo, Shire of Manjimup
Cr Murray Curti, Shire of Manjimup
Cr Margaret Davey, Shire of Goomalling
President Barbara Dunnet, Shire of Nannup
President Nola Forbes, Shire of Corrigin
Cr Robert Fulwood, Shire of Cunderdin
Cr Anita Grace, Shire of East Pilbara
Cr Bruce Hearman, Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup
Mr Gregory Holly, former Shire of Broomehill
Cr Neale Johnson, Shire of Leonora
Cr John Kirkpatrick, Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale
Cr John McNamara, City of Swan
Cr Veronica Melville-Levay, Town of Mosman Park
Cr Jeff Moir, Shire of Plantagenet
President Denyse Needham, Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale
President Robyn Parsons, Shire of Irwin
Cr John Price, Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale
Cr Michael Skinner, Shire of Plantagenet
Cr Judith Tomlinson, Shire of Chittering
Cr Christopher Travers, Shire of Derby/West Kimberley

Distinguished Service Award
Cr Garth Addis, Shire of Kent
Cr Wally Barrett, Shire of Murray
Cr Len Cargeeg, Shire of Mt Marshall
Mayor Ian Carpenter, City of Geraldton-Greenough
Cr Rod Carter, Shire of Cunderdin
Cr Bev Clarke, Shire of Busselton
President Graham Cooper, Shire of Cunderdin
President Bob Eddington, Shire of Shark Bay
Cr David Fardig, City of Swan
Cr Clive Gibsone, Shire of Cunderdin
President Ken Hooper, Shire of Merredin
Cr David Lucas, City of Swan
President Noel Nancarrow, Shire of Murray
Cr Gary North, Shire of Morawa
Mr Alan Richardson, City of Belmont

Further details and photos of recipients are available upon request.
Ends