Merit award winners Wagin’s Allen Hicks and William’s Natalie Major honoured by WALGA for esteemed shire work

Two Wheatbelt stalwarts were recognised on a State level for their dedicated work and ideas in local government at the 2025 WA Local Government Association awards earlier this month.

Shire of Wagin manager of works Allen Hicks and Shire of Williams deputy president Natalie Major were two of 22 elected members and officers to receive a merit award at the WALGA Local Government awards at the WA Museum on July 19.

WALGA’S annual event acknowledges the outstanding achievements and contributions by elected members and officers.

Mr Hicks, who has worked for regional shires for more than four decades, said he was nervous to accept the award as such an honour and opportunity was a first for him.

“It was a shock, I never thought I’d get one and that they were only for CEOs and councillors, but it felt really good, I was honoured,” he said.

“I put my heart and soul into the shire and I’m 100 per cent committed and that’s how I’ve always done it.

“I think of the ratepayers too, so I try and keep the costs down and treat it like it’s my own business and do what’s best for the community.

“There’s more works managers out there that have done what I’ve done, so hopefully they get recognised too.”

Over his 21 years with Wagin, Mr Hicks has carried out countless community roadworks to ensure safety and prompted the districts water harvesting scheme for droughts.

“I put a weir in town to harvest water, that’s one of my bigger achievements, we’re just about drought-efficient now,” he said.

“That was something that had to be done and I took it to the council who agreed and never looked back.”

Wagin is ready to install its third weir now, with their other two holding 9 million litres of water plus two dams.

Shire president Phillip Blight said Mr Hick’s contribution “is felt in every road, drain and park in Wagin”.

“It is wonderful that we can recognise Allen’s lifelong work with elected members and staff across the State,” he said.

“Allen’s commitment to Wagin is immeasurable.”

Shire chief executive Kenneth Parker agreed with Cr Blight, saying “Allen is simply the best works manager in the State.”

Mr Hicks thanked past and present councillors for their support.

Cr Major was elected as Williams deputy president in 2019 but has served on the council for 15 years and has been an avid volunteer for community events and regional partnerships.

The merit award recipient is involved with Hotham Williams Voluntary Regional Organisations of Councils to promote co-operation and shared growth with neighbouring shires, and is a bushfire radio base operator to support local emergency services.

“I’m grateful to my peers for recognising my contribution and honoured to have represented my community,” Cr Major said.

“Hopefully going forward it’s something we can do more of, because there’s lots of special people in the community.”

As a sportswoman, Cr Major said she is proud to be a part of the upcoming purpose-built recreation space geared towards female clubs, including female change rooms and netball courts.

In her role, she said she prides herself on being a “conduit for knowledge” between the community and shire, ensuring she is an unbiased ear to listen to local requests and help bring the ideas to fruition while explaining the limitations council face.

Shire of Williams president Jarrad Logie also received a WALGA eminent service award for his 15 years in council.