Freeman of the City announced

Recognising his dedication to serving the community, Council has awarded former Councillor David Boothman JP the City of Stirling’s highest honour by naming him the 10th Honorary Freeman of the City.

Mayor Mark Irwin made the announcement during the Community Citizen of the Year Awards and Citizenship Ceremony held on Australia Day 2023.

The award of Honorary Freeman of the City is bestowed on a citizen in recognition of their services to their city. Just nine individuals have become an integral part of the City’s history by receiving the honorary title in the past 50 years for their important contributions to the City and community.

The appointment is the first since 4 July 2009, when the honour was last bestowed on former Mayor and Councillor, Tony Vallelonga JP.

David Boothman was a Balga Ward Councillor from 1994 to 2021, serving as Deputy Mayor from 2000 to 2001 and then Mayor from 2007 to 2013.

During his 27 years of service, David Boothman contributed to the development of the City on almost every committee of Council, including:

• Planning and Development Committee (presiding member)
• Metro North-West Joint Development Assessment Panel
• Mindarie Regional Ordinary Meeting of Council (chairperson and audit committee)
• Crime Prevention Advisory Group
• WALGA North Metro Zone Committee
• WALGA State Ordinary Meeting of Council Road Safety Working Group
• Audit Committee
• Strategic Property Committee
• Resources Management Committee
• Stirling Alliance Board
• Scarborough Environs Area Strategy Steering Committee
• Mirrabooka Project Steering Committee
• Local Emergency Management Advisory Committee (chair)
• North Metropolitan Catchment Group (chair)
• Road Safety Committee (chair).

Mayor Mark Irwin said bestowing this honour on David Boothman was one of the easiest decisions Council has made in recent years.

“David was a police officer before joining Council, and went on to be awarded Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA) Life Membership, Long and Loyal Service, and the Distinguished Service Award,” he said.

“When he announced his retirement from Council in 2021 ahead of the Local Government Elections, I was filled with both a sense of sadness at the loss of his calm and wise voice around the Council table, but also pride at his achievements and the example of service he set.

“Announcing David’s appointment yesterday on Australia Day was a fitting recognition of the scope of his contribution to this community. We celebrated new citizens and the winners of our Community Citizen of the Year Awards, and we look to their example of community service to inspire our own actions.

“We honour David Boothman JP, Honorary Freeman of the City, for his service and commitment, and we believe him to be a fine example of someone who will represent the City’s values and beliefs and perform his duties with pride and passion.”

David Boothman is awarded Honorary Freeman of the City for his outstanding contributions to the City of Stirling, the local government sector, and to WALGA, including but not limited to:

• His efforts to improve safety and crime prevention in the local community
• Securing greater funding of waste to landfill targeted towards supporting recycling
• The significant role he played in supporting the City’s Reconciliation Action Plan
• Promotion of significant upgrades for the Princess Wallington Community Parkland
• His honesty and integrity across his 27 years of service.

The City takes this opportunity to thank the two living Freeman of the City – Rodney Constantine PSM and Tony Vallelonga JP – for their continued service to the City and community.

A Special Council Meeting will be convened on 20 February 2023 to formalise the appointment of David Boothman as a Freeman of the City.

Read more about other Freeman of the City.