Mayor Russell Aubrey (centre) wit City of Melville award winners Ryan Garvey and Denis Waddams.
Camera IconMayor Russell Aubrey (centre) wit City of Melville award winners Ryan Garvey and Denis Waddams. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Murdoch University Melville Football Club volunteer wins City of Melville Community Citizen of the Year award

Aaron CorlettMelville Gazette

A LONG-TIME volunteer at Murdoch University Melville Football Club has been named as the City of Melville’s Community Citizen of the Year.

Coach and uniform coordinator Denis Waddams received the honour at the City’s Australia Day celebrations at John Creaney Reserve in Bull Creek on Saturday.

The Booragoon resident has been involved with the club for about 10 years, coaching his son Lucas through the ranks.

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“Our whole family is involved with the club, my wife Wendy is the under 18 coordinator and Lucas is the webmaster and organises our social media too,” he said.

“It’s a great way to volunteer and give back to the community.

“It was a surreal experience to receive the award, my wife had to jab me in the midriff when the Mayor called my name.

“I decided to head along to the celebrations after I received a nomination letter, I hadn’t been to a citizenship ceremony since my own in 1998.”

The Young Community Citizen of the Year Award was Ryan Garvey, who was recognised for volunteering in the Kimberly with the Teach Learn Grow program along with volunteering the Melville Rotary Club and Anglicare.

About 1000 people attended the City’s Australia Day celebrations, which included breakfast cooked by the Lions Club of Bull Creek, a flag raising, traditional Welcome to Country, the awards and a citizenship ceremony.