Baldivis Basketball Club players Harry Gidman and Alex Kingston with Cr Matt Whitfield after a recent training session.
Camera IconBaldivis Basketball Club players Harry Gidman and Alex Kingston with Cr Matt Whitfield after a recent training session. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

City of Rockingham councillor Matt Whitfield donates fees back to the community

Declan ByrneWeekend Kwinana Courier

Representing the Baldivis ward, Cr Whitfield said he had been donating his appearance fees and wage since payments to councillors began.

“Requests have started drying up… when I first got in we weren’t getting paid, then they turned around and said ‘we’re going to start paying councillors’ and I was quite vocal saying no,” he said.

“Then I thought, ‘well if I’m going to get it, I’ll do something with it’.”

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The latest recipient of one of the councillor’s donations was Baldivis Basketball Club, which received $500 for new uniforms.

It takes the amount donated by Cr Whitfield to more than $50,000 over 18 months.

He said people outside his ward of Baldivis were welcome to get in touch.

“Simply ask. If it’s for a good cause, especially if it’s something that’s going to benefit long-term, I’ll consider it… I’d prefer to give someone $500 for a barbecue so they can keep using it, rather than $500 for a function,” he said.

People interested should contact Cr Whitfield via email at matthew@baldiviscouncillor.com.