At the recent annual Blessing of the Roads ceremony, held prior to the Easter Break, the City acknowledged the 20 year anniversary of its RoadWise Advisory Committee.
RoadWise is the WA Local Government Association’s (WALGA) Community Road Safety program, and has been in operation since 1994 when Armadale became the first local government in Western Australia to form a community based RoadWise Safety Committee.
Armadale Mayor Henry Zelones said members of the RoadWise Committee work in conjunction with the WA Police to help spread the road safety message to the community.
“The Committee is actively involved in projects such as the Blessing of the Roads and White Ribbons campaigns which focus on trying to keep our roads safe at peak holiday periods.
“The Committee members play an important role, as education and awareness are key factors in saving lives and reducing road trauma in the community.
“Their input and participation is crucial in the staging of these local events and they are also consulted on various Council projects which impact on road safety in the community.
Mayor Zelones also made a special presentation to Fred Nancarrow during the Blessing of the Roads ceremony.
“Fred has volunteered on the committee for the last 20 years, donating his time and valuable input on community road safety issues.
“I was delighted to present a copy of the book Settlement to City and a Certificate of Appreciation to Fred, on behalf of the City.
“Fred, an inaugural member of the committee has been an enthusiastic contributor to many RoadWise activities and I thank him sincerely for his efforts.
“During his time on the RoadWise committee he has attended the group’s meetings and regularly joined with other committee members in promoting road safety at Random Breath Test stops with the WA Police in the Armadale area.
“The RoadWise committee promotes road safety education within our community and it needs active participation from local residents,” said Mayor Zelones.
Winners of the Drinking Kills Driving Skills competition were also acknowledged. Peta Clarke and Thomas Roff correctly answered questions on road safety, at the City’s Annual Carols by Candlelight event, and each received a fuel voucher and a gift from the City.
Over the past two years the City has been proactive in identifying black spots in its road network and has secured Black Spot Grant funding to eliminate 10 identified black spots in the Armadale area.