MAYOR'S SPEECH
FREEMAN OF THE TOWN
CEREMONY
FRIDAY 13 FEBRUARY 2009
FOR
MRS GWEN FENECH OAM JP
Honoured Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen - Gwen
As the Mayor of the Town of Bassendean I would like to extend a special welcome and greeting to all of the guests invited today to this historic occasion, to formally bestow the title of Honorary Freeman of the Town on Mrs Gwen Fenech.
Today is a rare and historic occasion, for on only five previous occasions have Mayors of the Town had the same privilege as I now find myself in.
Today we acknowledge a lifetime commitment to the residents in our Town, a lifetime of passion for what is right, a lifetime of giving, a lifetime of epitomizing community spirit.
Today is a rare occurrence indeed as the Town welcomes our sixth Honorary Freeman, Mrs Gwen Fenech OAM JP.
Gwen was born and grew up in the Town - not too far away from where she currently lives in Kathleen Street - she moved next door to her childhood home.
I have known Gwen for a long time and have always known her to be a champion for causes and people. For the many, many people Gwen has helped over the years, she is a beacon in the night - a protector and an icon of what is good.
Gwen's personal values were bedded-down in her early years and modelled on those of her parents - they were not rich in material goods - but the family was strong and united - and always welcoming of others who may find themselves down on their luck, or for whatever reason, less fortunate.
It was not by chance that Gwen has dedicated her life to assisting others. Gwen has a strong spiritual belief and holds to the virtues of giving.
Gwen is also strong in spirit and while pioneering in advocacy is not a feminist as much as, well, a humanist - someone who believes we are made equal.
In marrying Joe, a migrant from Malta, Gwen developed understanding and empathy for the hardship of non-English speaking migrants. As we have subsequently learnt, Gwen decided to "do something about it herself". It seems this became her mantra - whenever she saw something needing to be done - Gwen did something about it.
Gwen's support for Maltese migrants connecting with "home", forging new lives in foreign Perth, led her to study law, become a JP and sit on the Court of Petty Sessions in Midland as an Assistant Justice.
Her experiences led her to being appointed Visiting Justice to Bandyup Prison in Caversham and a Member of the Children's Court in Midland.
But throughout this time, Bassendean and Bassendean residents remained the centre of Gwen's life and what was most important to her.
That is why, when Gwen heard that the State Government had created a new funded program called Welfare Officers, she "negotiated" for Bassendean to be funded to provide the role - and then got appointed to the role.
For 25 years, Gwen filled the role of Welfare Officer or Manager Welfare Services, as it became in later years.
Listed in today's program are the honours and achievements that Gwen has received. Just a couple are:
Awarded the prestigious Australia Day Citizen of the Year Award in 1986 for service to the community;
Presented with a citation from the Prime Minister of Malta in 1990 for services to the Maltese migrant community of Western Australia; and
Awarded the Order of Australia Medal for services to the community in 1992; and
Honoured with a Damehood of the Holy Sepulchre, Malta, in the same year.
Gwen was an employee of the Town for 25 years - in that time the Town built the Hyde Retirement Village, the aged hostels, grew the HACC services to seniors, established the Volunteer Community Transport Service, established a host of social activities - that continue today - and on and on - nothing happened in the Town that Gwen didn't seem to have an involvement with.
In that time the Town's reputation for services to residents was flying high - inside the Town and regionally.
Gwen's love for music has permeated her being for all her life - and what a pianist and entertainer she is!
Gwen has been able to unite her love of music and her passion for her community in re-establishing the Broadway Band, a Band that symbolized community spirit for Gwen - a value installed in her at a young age watching her mother performing as part of the Band.
In a fitting tribute to the importance of that piece of the Town's history, Gwen called the Band the Broadway II Band. The members may have changed over the past 15 years or so, but the spine has remained. Gwen plays on today as she has since the first dance all those years ago.
People travel from all over Perth to the Melody Club and to the Tea Dance each week. There is no such thing as a break over the Christmas period - the Band plays on.
And in that time - the Band has pumped out three - yes three CD's and performed at innumerable nursing homes and other venues.
Before bestowing the Freeman title on Gwen, I have some messages from people who couldn't be with us today, but who wanted so much to let Gwen know how special she is to them.
Firstly, Mr Stephen Smith MP, the Federal Member for Perth and the Foreign Minister, said "Gwen, I was delighted to hear that the Town will be bestowing on you the title of Honorary Freeman - this honour in recognition of your exceptional service to the local community is very well deserved".
Also, Jennifer and Trevor Jellicoe, who live interstate, have sent this message. "Gwen, Congratulations on this very special day. You absolutely deserve this special honour in recognition of all the wonderful and important work you have done over the years and still continue to do, for the people of Bassendean and beyond. You make such a difference to so many people's lives".
Mr Clarrie McCreed, who was the CEO at the Town for a number of years, but who now lives interstate wrote to the Council and said, "I am very pleased that you and the Councillors are aware of the tremendous contribution that Gwen has made to the residents of Bassendean over such a long period and decided to grant her the highest award possible. Well done. When I appointed Gwen as Welfare Officer it was really only a formal extension of the voluntary work she had been doing for many years. I have the greatest respect for her and very much would have liked to be present on this important occasion."
Therefore, in recognition of a lifetime of service to the community of the Town, Gwen, it gives me much pleasure in presenting you with this citation as recognition of you having been bestowed the title of Honorary Freeman of the Town - and of the rights and privileges that come with the title.
Congratulations from everyone involved with the Council and the community.
Cr Tina Klein JP, Mayor, Town of Bassendean
