Cr Cook receives WALGA Life Membership

Life Membership

Recognises long and outstanding service to the Western Australian Local Government Association (as an Executive Member or Serving Officer of the Association or member Council) or for long and outstanding service to Local Government (as an Executive Member or for significant achievement and/or active involvement in intergovernmental relations).

Jim Cook, Shire of Morawa

Elected to Council in 1984, and elected Shire President in 1992, Jim Cook is the longest serving Shire President in the history of the Morawa Shire and is highly regarded throughout the region for his visionary leadership and outstanding commitment to the Morawa community.

A statesman in the Morawa community, and an ambassador for the wider northern wheatbelt region, Jim has made a significant impact on the Morawa district and has spearheaded many projects that have improved opportunities and enhanced the lifestyle of those in the area.  Some of these projects include the development of the new $11 million Morawa hospital and a $3.5 million water storage facility, the creation of an industry first Morawa Education Alliance, the establishment of the Morawa Lodge for elderly community residents and the creation of a $6 million mining development package with Mid West Corporation Ltd, which includes the formation of a community trust and the sale of mining land and road construction corridors.

Jim was the Chairman of the Mid West Regional Road Group from 1988 until 2000 and was the Local Government representative on the Northern Agricultural Area Rural Towns Project from 1994 until 1999.  Jim initiated the North Midlands Voluntary Regional Organisation of Councils and was inaugural Chairman of the group from 1993 through until 1999.

Chairman of the Northern Country Zone of the WA Local Government Association from 2001 until 2003, Jim was also a member of the Association’s State Council and was the inaugural Morawa delegate to the newly formed Mid West Regional Council.

Jim has held many other community positions, including President of the Morawa Lions Club, Chairman of the Morawa Local Community District Committee, was a member of the Morawa Community Care Committee and is a Justice of the Peace.

Jim has been a major contributor to the development of the Morawa community and it is difficult to identify anyone who has made a greater impact on the lifestyle and quality of life that the Morawa community enjoys today.  Jim is a worthy recipient of Life Membership of the WA Local Government Association.