THIS year's Australia Day will have a more significant meaning for two prominent local members of the community as they were named Honorary Freemen of the City of Mandurah.
Former mayor Paddi Creevey and Aboriginal elder Harry Nannup were nominated for their extensive support for the Mandurah community over many years.
The title recognises the efforts of outstanding contributions and achievements of community members.
Mayor Marina Vergone said it was a great honour to acknowledge two extraordinary people who had given so much of their personal and professional lives to help others.
“They join a number of other prominent local identities who have also received the honour,” she said.
Ms Creevey has been recognised for her leadership and outstanding contributions to the local community for more than 20 years.
From 1994 she was a councillor for 19 year and was mayor from 2005 until her retirement in 2013.
In that time she led the City through an extensive period of growth with dedication to the protection of the environment, promotion of Mandurah and the delivery of community support services.
Ms Creevey was awarded the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2010 for her services to the community and local government and was inducted into the inaugural Western Australian Women’s Hall of Fame in 2011.
Her other achievements include an extensive career in social work, where she established a number of key welfare and social development agencies including: Peel Legal Centre, Pat Thomas House, Peel Volunteer Referral Service, Allambee Counselling Service, West Aus Crisis Care and Peel Community Development Group.
Ms Creevy has also been a member of various state and national committees as well as the Active Ageing Taskforce, board member of the Peel Development Commission and chair of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Women in Local Government.
She is still involved in the local community, being the current chair of both West Aus Crisis Care and Community Solutions.
Mr Nannup has been honoured for his ongoing support for the community.
He is a respected leader and Aboriginal elder and has wide ranging respect from many people in different walks of life.
Mr Nannup provides advice and wisdom in relation to respecting cultural, family and ancient land issues and performs Welcome to Country ceremonies across the region.
He is involved in many community groups, is an active member of the City of Mandurah’s Reconciliation Action Plan Strategic Committee, a member of the South West Land and Sea Council and is involved in some native title work.
Mr Nannup has faced many challenges over the last 70 years but still manages to give to the local community.
He was educated at Mandurah Pre-School, Hopelands and Mundijong Primary Schools and Pinjarra High School before he was stolen along with his siblings and taken to New Norcia.
Mr Nannup didn’t see his parents for two years, attending Wandering and New Norcia missions and during this time lost most of his first language.
The City has previously awarded the title of Honorary Freeman of the City of Mandurah to Dudley Tuckey in 1984, Owen Tuckey in 2004, Hal Sutton in 2005 and Kathleen Malta in 2006.
