Council bestows high honour on community stalwarts

7 June 2019

Two highly respected Albany residents are being recognised for their lifetime of commitment to the community with the highest honour the City of Albany can bestow.

At its meeting on May 28, Council voted unanimously to appoint Alice Rule and Terry Eaton as Honorary Freemen of the City, joining long term Freeman Mr Stan Negri.

Alice Rule has championed the Tidy Town movement in Albany since the 1970’s and is a driving force behind keeping Albany litter-free long term. Highly involved in the sporting community, Mrs Rule has been playing, umpiring and organising local hockey teams since the 1950’s, with the Great Southern Carnival Trophy named the Alice Rule Perpetual Shied in her honour.

Terry Eaton has been the manager of Albany PCYC for 24 years and is passionate about helping troubled young people make positive choices. He has also contributed to Albany’s thriving sporting community as the President of the Albany Cricket Association and an umpire advisor during the Great Southern Football League season.

 Mayor Dennis Wellington said Council was proud of the contributions both Mrs Rule and Mr Eaton had made to Albany and he was pleased to see them honoured with the title.

“The honour is only conferred in rare and exceptional circumstances to maintain the prestige of the title,” said Mayor Wellington.

“It’s fantastic that the Council can bestow this honour on two people who have continuously given their time and passion to the Albany community, and recognise them in this way.”

 A private civic reception will be held to confer the honour on Mrs Rule and Mr Eaton in the coming weeks.

As an Honorary Freeman of the City, Mrs Rule and Mr Eaton will be invited to all civic events and functions as dignitaries, have their photograph hung in the Council chambers, and will be presented with a plaque to commemorate their honour.