Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Maroondah City mourns passing of Freeman of the City

Maroondah City Council has acknowledged the recent passing of Freeman of the City, Bill Wilkins.

Mr Wilkins (pictured) was a Councillor with the City of Ringwood from February 1977 until August 1989, Mayor from 1985 to 1986, and was dedicated to the idea of representing the community fairly and impartially while striving for excellence in the establishment of services and facilities to benefit the community, Mayor, Kylie Spears said in a statement.

“Bill had numerous links to the community and was involved with the Scouts for more than 55 years.”

“He also had links to the sporting community and was a member and office bearer of the East Ringwood Cricket Club for 45 plus years and member and executive of the Ringwood District Cricket Association for 22 plus years, working for a number of years to establish and promote underage cricket throughout the district,” she said.

He was made a Freeman of the City by the former Ringwood City Council on 20 June 1994, an honour that was confirmed by Maroondah City Council on 7 April 1997. The honour of Freeman of the City recognises the outstanding achievements and dedicated service to the community by a person over their lifetime, and is the highest honour a Council can bestow upon an individual.

In the Queen’s Birthday Honours 2013, Mr Wilkins was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his Services to the City of Maroondah.

In 2019 Maroondah City Council established the annual Bill Wilkins Volunteer Award, named in honour of Bill and in recognition of his 75 years of volunteering in Maroondah. The Award recognises the outstanding contribution made by long-serving volunteers in the Maroondah community.

“Bill will be greatly missed by his family, friends, the Maroondah community and all who knew him.”

“On behalf of Maroondah City Council and the Maroondah community we pass on our sincere condolences to Bill’s family and friends,” said Mayor Spears.

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