Community champions of Harvey gather to celebrate community awards ceremony

Harvey’s community champions gathered on Wednesday to recognise and award stand-out people in the shire at the Harvey Community Awards Night
The evening started with a chance to network before the crowds took to their seats, with community development officer Andre Morris leading the ceremony.
He said the evening was about celebrating individuals in the community — seen and unseen — who had done exceptional work within the region.
Shire president Michelle Campbell introduced the first award recipients for the prestigious Freeman of the Shire Award.
Cr Campbell said it was the shire’s highest honour, acknowledging community members who left behind a legacy of service felt around the Harvey region for years to come.
Peter Monagle received the honour. Cr Campbell said he had a legacy that touched almost every club, group and organisation in the Harvey Region and in the wider South West.
As Mr Monagle was unwell, his daughters Trish, Matilda and Naomi Monagle collected the award on his behalf.
“He’s been an excellent role model for his children,” Trish said.
“He’s instilled in us community values.”
With so many “outstanding nominations” this year, the shire presented a second Freeman of the Shire honour to Tania Jackson.
Ms Jackson’s work for the Harvey region has been extensive, demonstrating resilience and strength during the Yarloop Bushfire disasters of 2016, among a plethora of other accolades.
She said she became a councillor because she had a passion for the community, and her time in local government was a “wonderful ride”.
“Over the years, I’ve made my mark,” she said.
“Anyone wanting to get into local government, you will find so much value just like being a volunteer — you meet some terrific people and work with some wonderful people.”
The council’s appreciation awards were next, the first of which went to Heldi Bibby.
The crowd was told she had made a lasting impact on everyone she had worked with, from her role in the Brunswick River Cottages project, involvement with the WA Youth Cattle Camp, and her ongoing work with St John WA.
Paul Fonck was also honoured at the ceremony, for being an example of triumph over adversity as one of the driving forces behind the development of the Leschenault Men’s Shed.
Mr Fonck thanked the council for the award, but said he did not deserve it.
“There are hundreds of members who are helping me in the yard, and they are all overcoming their grumpiness for a better future for everybody,” he said.
After dinner, the Youth Award was presented to Annie O’Connor, by Cr Joe Capogreco.
Cr Capogreco praised Ms O’Connor’s commitment to surf life saving since graduating from the nippers lifesaving program in 2020.
He said if she was not on Binnigup beach doing voluntary beach patrols, or teaching the upcoming generations of nippers, she could be found at major coastal events like the Busselton Jetty Swim.
“I’ve been doing surf lifesaving since I was about six and my favourite part is teaching the kids to love it as much as I do,” Ms O’Connor said.
The final awards to be presented were the Meritorious Awards.
The first was presented by Cr Craig Carbone, who in a touching speech said it was a great honour to present the award to his best friend, Mark Talbot.
Cr Carbone spoke to Mr Talbot’s commitment to the Brunswick Community, from his volunteer fire fighting to acting as a committee member for the Livestock and Rural Transport Association of WA.
“I’ve only just touched on part of the work he’s done in his life of community service,” he said.
Mr Talbot said he was humbled to receive the award and looked forward to continuing to do what he did best — serving the community.
The second was presented to Robert Newby, who the council said had made an unparalleled contribution to the world of sport, fundraising and the community.
He said he was often asked by people why he volunteered — to which he answered, “because I can”.
“Everybody contributes in their own way to make our Harvey a better place, and I’m just one of many,” he said.
The final award was presented to Robert William George.
Cr John Bromham said Mr William George has provided an “incredible” 45 years of service to the community with work as a fire control officer, committee member of the Brunswick River Cottages, and a member of the Lions Club.
Mr William George congratulated the other award recipients and said being a volunteer in the community was “absolutely vital”.
“It is very rewarding to be a volunteer in the community,” he said.
With all awards presented, Cr Campbell said it had been a fantastic night celebrating some of the shire’s best residents.
“I just wanted to say, congratulations once again to all our recipients,” she said.
“Their acknowledgement and recognition is very worthily deserved.”
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