Cr Thompson honoured with WALGA Life Membership Award

The City of Fremantle’s longest-serving Councillor, Doug Thompson, has been honoured with a WA Local Government Association (WALGA) Life Membership Award.

The award recognises outstanding service to the WALGA and/or Local Government sector and distinguished contributions to the community over a significant period of time.

Cr Thompson joined Fremantle Council in 1988 and has been consistently re-elected in the City’s North Ward ever since.

Fremantle Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge said Cr Thompson has shown commitment to both local and larger issues throughout his 36 years of service.

“Doug’s dedication to reducing landfill as well as his many strategic leadership roles at WALGA and Resource Recovery Group is deserving of this recognition.

“He’s had a huge influence on the improvement of waste management in Western Australia as has been a champion for recycling, FOGO and Containers for Change,” Mayor Fitzhardinge said.

Fremantle Deputy Mayor Jenny Archibald has been a Council colleague for much of Cr Thompson’s tenure.

“In 1989, Council was asked to approve a strategy for waste management and discussions for a regional recycling service. It was a long and complicated journey and bringing the community with us was not straightforward. However, Doug persevered, along with council colleagues Anne Forma and Bryn Jones who were all on the working group of Council.

“Following trials and iterations of community debate, a final regional approach was agreed and the Council, along with its neighbouring municipalities pioneered a groundbreaking approach to waste management.

“While there is always more to do, this work led the way to change community thinking on the recycling of domestic organics and other recyclables," Cr Archibald said.

Cr Thompson joins an exclusive list of about 50 Life Members, honoured since the WALGA Awards’ inception in 2001.

Above image: Councillor Doug Thompson being presented with his WALGA Life Membership.