SHIRE of Mundaring deputy president Luke Ellery has been given a merit award for his contributions to the shire, community commitment and strategic thinking through his engineering background.

Cr Ellery received his award at the 2026 Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA) local government honours awards event.

The WALGA merit award recognised notable contributions and service to WALGA, local government and the broader local government sector, while also acknowledging leadership and ongoing participation within the sector.

A lifelong hills resident raising a fourth generation of locals, Cr Ellery was elected to council in 2021 and currently serves as deputy president.

Shire of Mundaring President Paige McNeil congratulated Cr Ellery on the achievement.

“Council is delighted to see Deputy President Luke Ellery recognised through a WALGA Merit Award,” she said.

“Luke brings professionalism, integrity and a genuine commitment to serving the community.

“His engineering background, strategic thinking and passion for sustainable outcomes make him a valuable contributor both at the council table and within the wider local government sector.

“This recognition is well deserved and reflects the contribution he continues to make on behalf of our community.”

As a sustainability engineer working to deliver water infrastructure in financially, socially, and environmentally responsible manner, Cr Ellery brings technical expertise and a strong focus on sustainability, environmental stewardship and long-term planning to his role on council.

Cr Ellery said he was honoured to receive the award.

“I am humbled to represent the place I love and to be acknowledged for doing so,” he said.

“I’d especially like to recognise my wife, who often supports me with such care, President McNeil, who leads with wisdom, and council, who all care deeply for our community.”

“It is an honour to seek the good of a city, and I am excited to continue to serve to see our shire flourish.”

As reported in Third-generation hills boy to renominate Cr Ellery worked as an engineering consultant in the energy space for seven years.

In that role, he was involved in front-end engineering which required him to assess how to achieve the best economic outcomes that were also sustainable.

Back then he said an insight from that role showed him what was economically better was sometimes also environmentally better, and the two metrics weren’t always in opposition.