FOR 15 years, City of Casey Deputy Mayor Wayne Smith has been making a significant contribution to the City of Casey.
The River Gum Ward councillor was recognised for his service to the Casey community with a Victorian Councillor Service Award from the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV).
Mayor Sam Aziz presented Cr Smith with the award for 15 years’ service at a council meeting on 6 December.
Cr Smith was first elected to council with the Shire of Cranbourne in 1993, elected the first Mayor of the City of Casey in 1997 after the amalgamation of the Cranbourne and City of Berwick councils, served as deputy mayor for three terms and was re-elected to complete a fourth term as deputy mayor in 2011 – 2012 in November.
Cr Smith thanks his familyand friends for their support over the past 15 years, and said he had met and worked with some remarkable people in the local community.
He said it was rewarding to see through a number of projects including establishment of the Hampton Park Library and its subsequent extension, the Cranbourne and Hallam Community theatres, redevelopments at’The Factory’ in Cranbourne East and improved arts fundingand policies.
“I’ve also been involved in planning for upgrades at a number of sporting grounds including a new oval and pavilion at Cairns Road Reserve and soccer grounds and a pavilion at KM Reedy Reserve in Hampton Park among others,” Cr Smith said.
Cr Aziz congratulated Cr Smith on his achievements.
“Standing for council is a significant commitment, and for Cr Smith to have dedicated so much of his life to publicly serving the community is very impressive, and deserves to be recognised,” Cr Aziz said.