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Release Date: 
Friday, 24 January 2014

Dr Ian Colquhoun a founding member of NFP Roleybushcare and chair of the Roleystone Dieback Action Group was awarded the Environmental Contribution of the Year Award at a special ceremony hosted by the City as part of its Australia Day celebrations on Sunday 26 January.

Ian has worked tirelessly both in the professional arena and wider community to prevent the spread of dieback and minimise the impact of the disease on our states reserves, and enhancing our bushland communities.

Armadale Mayor Henry Zelones presented this year’s winners with framed certificates and said the awards recognise outstanding contributions to the community by local residents and groups.

“The winners all demonstrate community leadership and are ideal role models that deserve to be recognised and I congratulate all the worthy recipients.”

Members of the Armadale Kelmscott Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Inc., winners of the Community Group category, were acknowledged for their fundraising efforts. Since 1964 the Auxiliary volunteers have raised over $1.4 million through running the hospital kiosk, which has contributed towards much needed equipment for patient care.

The Active Citizenship Award for a person under 25 years was awarded to James Devine, a Year 12 Chapel Prefect at John Wollaston Anglican Community School in 2013. James was a role model to Year 8 to 12 students, and was involved in fund raising for the Light Home Orphanages during his mission trips to Bible Schools in India.

This year the City awarded the Active Citizenship Award for a person 25 years or over to two worthy nominees in recognition of their outstanding contributions to community programs.

For over 19 years, Mal Osborne has been the popular face of Armadale Youth Resources and instrumental in developing community programs aimed at creating opportunities for ‘at risk’ young people.

Mal is also key member of the Armadale Independent Film Festival contributing his musical skills and industry knowledge to events such as the Australia day fireworks celebrations, Youth Music Festival and numerous youth music programs within the community.

Many local young people in the Armadale community have benefited from Mal's mentoring and gone on to have successful careers in the music industry.

Gerry Chapman is a shining example of what volunteering is all about and has given endless hours of his time to various organisations such as the Roleystone Theatre, where he attained life membership for his tireless work since joining the theatre in 1976.

Mayor Henry Zelones said Gerry’s community service is extensive and varied having served on the Roleystone Church board for 30 years, been a weekly volunteer at the Leprosy Mission Op Shop and a scripture teacher at Roleystone Primary School.

“For the last three years Gerry has been a volunteer with the Adult Migrant English Program where he takes weekly conversation classes. His contributions to the local community are endless and to be highly commended.

“The calibre and diversity of all the winners this year is an example of how many wonderful, selfless people we have living in the City of Armadale,” he said.

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