Top service award for Cowaramup councillor

Long-serving Shire of Augusta Margaret River councillor and past Shire President Ian Earl has collected a top honour at the recent WA Local Government Association’s (WALGA) annual awards.

Cr Earl was in Perth on Friday, where he received the ‘Eminent Service Award’ for his contributions to the community and local government.

“It is an honour to be able to serve our wonderful Augusta Margaret River community, and to be recognised at the WALGA Awards night”, he said after the win.

Having spent most of his life in Cowaramup and serving on the Council for 15 years, Cr Earl said he had seen the district grow into a “strong and vibrant region where residents can find employment and raise a family with confidence”.

“I would like to thank my wife of 49 years, Helen, who without, I would not have been able to do all of these things and be so involved in this great community,” he said.

Shire President Julia Meldrum said Cr Earl was a “down to earth, all-in, hands on, lead-by-example community leader”.

“Ian is the epitome of community service. His passion for the place he lives, and his drive to see the community thrive is evident in everything he does.

“From being a member of the Cowaramup Bushfire Brigade for 43 years, a president of six sporting clubs and life member of three, to volunteering as a student mentor at Margaret River Senior High School, and taking on over 100 young people for workplace learning in his business, Ian’s dedication and commitment to our community is extraordinary.”

First appointed to the Council in 2009, Cr Earl spearheaded a range of strategies and sought funding to complete some of the Shire’s biggest projects.

His efforts include securing funding support for the construction of the Margaret River HEART, and working with the CEO and Council to champion a $2 million COVID-19 Community Care Package.

He also pushed for the Margaret River Main Street project to maintain momentum as it faced several challenges and delays.

“Due to Ian’s advocacy and lobbying, the Shire was successful in receiving an additional $3 million, enabling the Shire to finish the Main Street refurbishment quickly and reduce the impact on local traders who were feeling the pinch with both the impacts of COVID-19 and the redevelopment.”