Passion for community drives winner

If there’s one message Mandy Grubb wants to send, it’s that anyone can make a difference in their community.

The Medina volunteer was named the City of Kwinana’s community citizen of the year at the Australia Day ceremony last Thursday.

Ms Grubb said she struggled to find the words to express her feelings after hearing her named read out.

“I was speechless,” she said.

“I’m not sure what I’m going to do with this but I really want people to know that we need to treasure what we have and that one person can make a difference.

“When you volunteer in the community it is about giving back, but you also get so much in return.”

After moving to Medina in 1994, Ms Grubb got to know Kwinana while making a movie about the region’s history. “I really got the sense of the place and its history, and it really grabbed me,” she said. “I love the parks, gardens and natural bush.”

She began building her connections in the area with an interest in giving back to the community, which led her to help form a range of organisations. The Medina Residents Group was formed in 2005 with the intention of speaking out against threats to public open spaces.

Ms Grubb also helped start Friends of the Spectacles after the wetlands were devastated by fire in 2007.

Her work in getting heritage recognition for Medina and her ongoing dedication to Kwinana’s NAIDOC celebrations were named as just two of the many reasons for her award.

The Medina Residents Group also picked up an award for best community organisation, which Ms Grubb said was a highlight of the day.

“I was overwhelmed but I was especially pleased that the residents group received the group award because for a small group we do so much in the community,” she said.

“It’s great recognition.

“My passion is about working with my community to make it even better whether it is paid or unpaid.”