Shire of Plantagenet rewards dedicated volunteers at citizenship awards

The Shire of Plantagenet recognised the commitment and hard work of its citizens at an awards ceremony hosted by the Mt Barker Rotary Club at Frost Park Pavilion. Local artist and volunteer George Corke received the citizen of the year award for his commitment to the local community for more than 40 years. Mr Corke has been part of numerous community projects including the Mountains and Murals Festival and Mt Barker Painted Door festival in 2020. His work can be seen around town with his street sculpture, ‘When Push Comes to Shove’, installed on the corner of Langton and Lowood roads. Mr Corke has also invested heavily in Mt Barker’s youth, believing them to be the basis of the town’s growth. “I’m in total shock, really,” Mr Corke said. “I want to thank my wife, who has supported me in everything that I do. “This town welcomed us 43 years ago. We grew business here and employed a lot of people and it is just a great community to get involved with.“ Senior citizen of the year Robert Clarke could not attend the ceremony, with his award being accepted on his behalf by a member of St John WA Mount Barker Sub Centre. Mr Clarke has achieved life membership to St John WA Mount Barker Sub Centre and has volunteered with the bushfire brigade, SES and St John since moving to the Porongurup in the 1960s. “Whether it be supporting the team with great advice, cleaning or washing ambulances or keeping vital equipment installed and updated, Rob has always been there to lend a hand, or I am told a ‘hug’ when deemed appropriate,” Shire president Chris Pavlovich said. “Rob would be embarrassed, but excited to say there are more deserving people than me, but today is Rob’s day,” the St John member who accepted the award on Mr Clarke’s behalf said. Mount Barker Tourism Inc was awarded the active citizenship group award for its effort in running the Mount Barker Visitor Centre. The team of volunteers run the regional visitor information service seven days a week with more than 5000 visitors a year being welcomed to the centre. Mr Pavlovich said volunteers were the ambassadors of the region. “I would like to acknowledge and thank volunteers for their time and support given so enthusiastically to a service that is vital for tourism in our region.,” he said. The Mt Barker Rotary Club also awarded its community award and youth award recognising Porongurup couple Fiona Glen and Robert Healy for their dedication to the Porongurup community and Mt Barker man Kurt Edwards for his outstanding commitment to the community of Mt Barker both as a volunteer firefighter and in his involvement with the Plantagenet players and his time as head boy of Mt Barker Community College, among many other achievements. Mt Barker Rotary Club president Anthony Middleton said it was a fantastic day with a bigger crowd than normal. “It was really well represented by the community service organisations and a really good turnout,” he said. Full list of awards: Rotary awards Youth award – Kurt Edwards Community award – Fiona Glen and Robert Healy DFES volunteer medal/award presentations Kevin Forbes - 55 years long service bushfire brigade clasp Owen Sounness - 35 years national medal clasp and 30 years long service bushfire brigade medal Murray Wills - 20 yr long service bushfire brigade medal Robert Graham - 10 yr long service bushfire brigade medal Shire of Plantagenet citizen of the year awards Community citizen of the year – George Corke Senior citizen of the year – Robert Clarke Active citizenship group - Mount Barker Tourism Inc Citizenship ceremonies Alec Hillary, United Kingdom Annabel Charlton, United Kingdom Karar Khan Muhammad, Pakistan Basit Yousufi, Pakistan Shakila Jafari, Afghanistan Mohammad Nawroozi, Afghanistan Hafizullah Qasimi, Afghanistan Ghulam Alizada, Afghanistan