Benalla Rural City Councillor Don Firth has been recognised for his decade-long commitment to serving the community.
Cr Firth was presented with the Councillor Service Award, awarded by the Municipal Association of Victoria at the Victorian Councillor Service Awards, to acknowledge the remarkable contributions of long-serving councillors throughout the state.
Benalla Rural City Mayor Bernie Hearn acknowledged Cr Firth’s dedication and commitment to the community.
“The fundamental role of a councillor is to represent and serve their community, and Cr Firth’s passion, knowledge, and dedication to his community are a testament to his commitment as a councillor,” she said.
“I congratulate him on his outstanding contribution to the Benalla and district community.”
Cr Firth was first elected to Benalla Rural City Council from December 2008 to October 2012 before being elected again in November 2016 and has since remained an elected official for the Benalla community.
He was elected mayor in November 2016, where he served for two years, and elected deputy mayor in November 2021, serving 12 months.
He said serving his community as a councillor for so many years had been an honour.
“The positive changes I have seen over the years as a councillor have been humbling to watch, and I’m honoured to have been a driver in that change,” he said.
“Being a councillor is still a role I greatly enjoy, and I am continually proud of the way council and the organisation work together to serve the community.”