A BASSENDEAN councillor and officer were recognised for their contributions to the community at last Saturday’s annual WALGA honours awards night.

Long-serving councillor Jennie Carter and environmental health officer Jeff Somes were the recipients of the Merit Award.

Cr Carter was awarded for her community advocacy, historical preservation and civic leadership throughout the years while Mr Somes was recognised for his 20 years of service in local government and continued leadership in public and environmental health.

Cr Carter has lived in Bassendean since 1981 and was commissioned to write a book about the north-eastern suburb in 1982.

Her work was published in 1986 and helped inform the Bassendean local studies collection in the library.

The following year she ran for council and was elected.

“It was an unbelievably busy time as I had young children, was finishing post graduate studies and had started a new career as a librarian (or) archivist while also juggling council work – which was full on in those days,” Cr Carter said.

She was elected for two more terms in 2011 and 2021, following her first term in 1987.

“I intend to run again in October,” she said.

“There’s fire in the old girl yet.”

Mr Somes studied environmental health at university and has worked in both metropolitan and country local governments.

“(I) have a passion to protect and improve public health in the community,” he said.

“I’m most proud of the contribution of environmental health officers in the response to the Covid-19 pandemic.”

Continuing his line of work, Mr Somes hopes the management of tidal wetlands is addressed soon.

“I’m hoping to see greater collaboration between relevant state agencies and local governments in the management of tidal wetlands known to breed mosquitoes and to improve the response and management of community housing related issues.”