Community volunteers celebrated with cheers

Mayor Linda Aitken said the 2025 Community Services and Conservation Volunteers Dinner at the Wanneroo Civic Centre was an opportunity to honour our incredible volunteers and thank them for their contributions to the City.

“With the City of Wanneroo home to almost 240,000 residents and growing rapidly, we rely more than ever on dedicated and committed volunteers to help ensure it continues to be a great place to live, work and visit,” she said.

“Our 92 conservation and community services volunteers help the City in a variety of ways, supporting staff to deliver a range of programs and services for some of the most vulnerable members of our community and caring for our natural environment.”

Six volunteers were presented with peer-nominated excellence awards for outstanding dedication to their role and service to the City.

Bukamu Dube

Since 2021, Bukamu has been a member of the City’s Multicultural Advisory Group and currently serves as its Deputy Chairperson, helping shape conversations around diversion and inclusion in our City.

Outside the group, Bakumu runs a small business focused on training and community support, helping others from multicultural backgrounds navigate new opportunities.

Kadambii Barnao

Kadambii started her volunteering journey with the City in 2011, as part of the City’s first Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group, which has since evolved into the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community reference group, Ni Kadadjiny Koort.

She remains an active and dedicated member of the group and a strong advocate for cultural values, human rights and reconciliation between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities.

Andrew Fairbairn

Andrew has served as a dedicated member of the City’s Disability Access and Inclusion Reference Group since 2019, consistently offering thoughtful input and championing meaningful change.

He has helped to raise awareness about mobility mapping in our town centre, highlighting how features like gradients, surfaces, ramps and elevators can make a real difference for people with mobility challenges, helping them navigate public spaces with greater confidence and safety.

Jennie Villiers

Jennie’s journey as a volunteer with the City started in 2016 when she attended a community planning event as part of the City’s GOLD program.

After asking about walking and photography in Koondoola Bushland, she helped organise a guided wildflower walk and has been involved with the City ever since.

She first registered as a conservation volunteer, becoming one of our most active contributors - regularly weeding, collecting litter and supporting conservation events.

Now, she leads annual wildflower walks for the community and local schools, and has even obtained a flora license for educational use and detailed surveys of Koondoola Bushland.

In 2023, Jennie took the lead in running her own conservation activities, building a team and strengthening the Friends of Koondoola Bushland group along the way.

Volunteering is a great way to get involved with your local community, contribute to a cause you care about and meet like-minded people.

To find out more about volunteering with the City, visit wanneroo.wa.gov.au/volunteers.