Former Rockingham mayor Barry Sammels has been awarded the highest honour a Council can bestow upon an individual.
The Council voted to award Mr Sammels the title of Freeman of the City for his contribution to the community over many years as a councillor, a mayor, and through his own involvement in a wide range of community organisations and activities.
Mr Sammels was first elected as a councillor representing Rockingham Ward in 1997.
He was elected Deputy Mayor in 2001 and two years later was elected to the position of mayor, a role he fulfilled for more than 18 years.
Mr Sammels sat on numerous committees and working groups and served as chair of the (then) South West Group, and chair of the Australian Coastal Councils for a decade.
He was also a local businessman for over 30 years, a life member of the Rockingham Kwinana Chamber of Commerce, past president of the Rockingham Trade Centre Association, and a recipient of both the Paul Harris Fellow award from Rotary International, and the Western Australian Local Government Association’s Long and Loyal Service award.
City of Rockingham Mayor Deb Hamblin said Mr Sammels had made an outstanding contribution to the community over many years.
“Barry worked on behalf of the people of the City of Rockingham for more than 25 years, helping steer the local government through a period of massive growth as our population soared from fewer than 60,000 residents to more than 140,000.," Mayor Hamblin said.
“His tireless efforts representing our City built strong connections with every level of government and other major public and private sector stakeholders, and he was a staunch supporter of many community organisations and causes. I’m delighted that Council has chosen to honour him with this well-deserved recognition.”
Mr Sammels said he was honoured to have been recognised as a Freeman of the City of Rockingham.
“I remember in my time as Mayor I would always pay tribute to the past and present Freemen as I believed they were some of our most treasured people. I never thought I would ever be in the position to join such distinguished company. I thank the mayor, councillors and the City for the honour and the privilege.”
The City of Rockingham has bestowed the title of Freeman on only six other members of the community.
Former Mayor Laurie Smith, whose title was bestowed in 2012, is the only other living Freeman of the City.
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