Rockingham pioneers celebrated

The City of Rockingham celebrated the outstanding contribution of its longest residing residents last week with around 200 people attending the City’s 2022 Pioneers’ Luncheon at the Gary Holland Community Centre. 

The Pioneers’ Luncheon is an annual celebration held in October to honour the people who have lived within the City for 50 consecutive years or more, and are 65 years of age or older.

This year the Pioneers’ Luncheon featured a garden party theme, with Lorraine Dunkling from the Rockingham Community Garden in Hillman the guest speaker.

Brand MHR and Minister for Resources and Northern Australia, Hon Madeleine King, was also in attendance along with members of Council.

Mayor Deb Hamblin (centre) with Minister for Resources and Northern Australia, Brand MHR the Hon Madeleine King, and Pioneer Diana Morris, who is the Hon Madeleine King's mother. PIC: City of Rockingham 

City of Rockingham Mayor Deb Hamblin said the Pioneers’ Luncheon gave the City an opportunity to celebrate the contribution its long-term residents had made to the community. 

“The Pioneers’ Luncheon gives the City a chance to express its sincere gratitude to the people who have built their lives here, and in so doing, have helped build our City into the fabulous community it is today,” Mayor Hamblin said.

“Over the years Rockingham has grown from a small seaside town to become a diverse community that is now home to approximately 136,000 people.  

“In this time our Pioneers have played a significant part in the City’s growth and development, and we thank each and every one of them for their sustained contribution.”

Wayne Watkins and Dianne Watkins. PIC:City of Rockingham.