THE West Arthur community hosted a welcome barbecue for Australian Tidy Towns Awards judge Dick Olesinski on Monday night as it vies for the coveted title of Australia’s Tidiest Town.
The following day, as part of his national judging tour, Mr Olesinski checked out the many projects undertaken within the community that earned West Arthur the prestigious title of WA’s Tidiest Town in mid-November.
West Arthur takes over the state title from the community of Westonia, which was announced WA’s Tidiest Town in 2010.
At the Monday night barbecue, which was held at the Darkan Sports and Community Centre, Mr Olesinski was officially greeted by Member for Wagin Terry Waldron.
Tidy Towns committee member Ann Knapp then presented Mr Olesinski with a package of information which new residents to the shire receive.
Shire president Ray Harrington also spoke briefly in welcome and thanked the many volunteers that make West Arthur such a vibrant community.
The night also saw representatives from a large variety of community groups, including the St John’s Ambulance, the swimming pool and the tourism and community building fund committees in attendance.
Mr Olesinski’s tour of West Arthur on Tuesday started with a presentation at the shire offices before heading off to Duranillin School, via the local swimming pool.
He then continued onto Lake Towerrinning, the Moodiarrup Sports Complex and hall and the Arthur River Country Club and Historical Precinct.
The afternoon was spent visiting the Nangip Reserve Heritage Trail, the rail reserve, the shed and the railway station and house, before finishing his tour at the Darkan Primary School.
During his visit, Mr Olesinski evaluated West Arthur’s many initiatives against the national awards criteria, which encompass environmental innovation and protection, water and energy conservation, community partnerships, litter prevention, resource recovery and the preservation of local heritage and culture.
“Each of the Tidy Towns national finalists should be extremely proud of their efforts as they provide inspiration and practical case studies that other communities can learn from to protect and preserve their local environment, culture and heritage,” Mr Olesinski said.
“It’s great to see how the dedicated work of individuals, community groups, industry and local councils can successfully come together to achieve positive environmental outcomes that helps to ensure their town and region can move forward sustainably.”
Following his national tour of the state and territory finalist towns, Mr Olesinski will face the tough task of deciding who will be crowned Australia’s Tidiest Town for 2011-12.
The other towns in the running to take the national title include Kyogle in New South Wales, Mornington in Victoria, Caloundra in Queensland, Mount Gambier in South Australia, Wynyard in Tasmania and Wugularr in the Northern Territory.
The winner will be announced in May.
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