At a celebratory dinner, attended by Hon. Tony Simpson, Minister for Local Government in Western Australia, Councillor Graham Sanderson and former Councillor Bill Dinnie were acknowledged for their exemplary service to the Shire of Dalwallinu.
Councillor Graham Sanderson is a wheat and sheep farmer from Kalannie.
During his 28 years as a Councillor he was Deputy President from 1999 to 2005 and Chairman of the Works and Plant Committee from 1995 to 2005 when he represented Council at Regional Roads Group meetings.
In 2010 the Sanderson family passed a significant milestone for service to Local Government.
Graham, with his late father Hartley, achieved a combined total of 50 years of father and son service as Councillors to the Shire of Dalwallinu.
His natural attributes that make him a quality Councillor are his integrity and persistence.
This has enabled him to be a robust representative for minority positions, particularly residents disadvantaged by distance from the Shires service towns.
Bill Dinnie is a retired farmer from Buntine with a remarkable capacity to combine his farming and family activities with a wide range of community activities for half a centenary.
He was initially elected to represent North Ward for the Shire of Dalwallinu in 1965 and then was elected unopposed after every term.
From 1971-1985 he was Deputy President and from 1985-1995 Shire President.
He was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1976 and a Member of the Children’s Court in 1991.
In recognition of his service to the Shire and its community, he was awarded the title of Honorary Freeman in 1996; an Order of Australia Medal in 2000; and a Centenary Medal in 2003.
Also in 2003 he was awarded what is now the Eminent Services Award from the Western Australian Local Government Association.
Bill’s legacy to the Shire will undoubtedly be his exceptional community service over such a long period.
He was able to offer his best to the community. It was a combination of determination, enthusiasm and a willingness to give generously of his time and effort to improve community infrastructure and opportunities for the people of the Shire of Dalwallinu.
