Published on Thursday, 9 May 2024 at 9:19:39 AM

The Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale’s inaugural SJ Remembers Community History Awards will pay tribute to beloved local legend Jan Skillington. The awards will recognise recipients across four categories with one worthy winner to receive the Jan Skillington Award.  

A historian herself, Ms Skillington played a vital role in shaping SJ’s community history collection through her passion for capturing local narratives from around the Shire. Using her experience as an archivist for the State Library, Ms Skillington was able to preserve our Shire’s stories and ensure they would captured in permanent records.

Local historian Jan Skillington who passed away in 2023.

Shire President Rob Coales paid tribute to Ms Skillington for her work in preserving Serpentine Jarrahdale’s local history, and said the Shire was thrilled to be honouring such a worthy local.

“Jan’s work to ensure our historic local families and their stories are remembered is remarkable,” President Coales said.

“Serpentine Jarrahdale has such a rich history and the dedicated work of locals like Jan Skillington ensures we will remember the past that has shaped our identity as we move into the future.

“Naming an award in her honour is a fitting tribute.”

The four categories in the Community History Awards include Oral History, Written Memoir, Photographic Memory, and Original Research. Last month, Council resolved that one winner across the four categories should be bestowed with the Jan Skillington Award ensuring that regardless of category entries, Jan Skillington would be recognised and remembered.

Nominations for the Community History Awards are now open. Submissions can be made online at www.sjshire.wa.gov.au/sjremembers or in person at Byford Library.

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