Margaret Coyle Reserve unveiled

The reserve at the corner of Balcombe and Lindfield Streets in Balga will now be known as Margaret Coyle Reserve, in memoriam of a local resident who gave more than 20 years of her life to community organisations. 

Members of Margaret’s family, community members, Councillors David Boothman JP and Karlo Perkov, and Mayor Mark Irwin attended a ceremony on 12 June 2021, where representatives from the Lions Club of Stirling highlighted the contributions Margaret had made to the Westminster, Nollamara and Balga communities.

Margaret was an active member of the Stirling Lions Club since 1993, having served as president, club secretary and other positions at club and district cabinet level. Her unwavering commitment was integral to many successful Lions Club projects and fundraising efforts over the years.

She joined the Nollamara – Westminster Action Group in 2003 to contribute to improvements to the area and she later became treasurer for five years. A volunteer for Silver Chain for 15 years, Margaret was involved with the establishment of the Smith Family’s ‘Community 4 Kids’ program, which provided children’s activities to improve health and literacy.

Margaret was a mentor and committee member for a group in Balga that offered a supportive environment for people who had experienced self-harm to seek professional advice and services. She also helped establish the Westminster Community Garden and from its inception, she was  keen and enthusiastic supporter.

Mayor Mark Irwin said that of an average 20 requests the City receives for memorials, plaques, trees and renaming each year, this was one of the most straightforward requests the City had encountered.

“When the City assesses these requests, it’s important we consider names that are requested in the name of person to ensure that the person is deemed worthy of such an honour,” Mayor Irwin said.

“Margaret Coyle’s varied and long-standing service to the community of more than 20 years across several community organisations made it clear that she is worthy of the honour. Having this reserve named after reflects just how much she has given so much to her community and I know she is dearly missed.”

Margaret Coyle was born in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia on 12 August 1941 and had lived in Westminster since 1998. She sadly passed away on 7 November 2018.