Shire of Corrigin & Corrigin CRC Newsletter - Edition No.4 - 12 September 2016

2 / 12

Matt Dickinson
I was born in the Corrigin Hospital, so
my history with Corrigin truly involves my
entire life. I am a father of two beautiful
children (Ben & Lani) and excited to say
my fiancée Kelly Roberts and I are
expecting the arrival of my 3 rd child in
mid-November this year.
I carried out all my schooling education
in Corrigin (in which I feel was a
wonderful foundation for my future), after
graduating year 10 at age 15, I was lucky enough to start an Auto
Electrical apprenticeship with Dino at Neu-Tech. Dino was and still is
a great mentor and I really do owe him for the positive start to
working/business life he gave me. After nearly 6 years I moved
across the road to work for Greg Humphries at Interline Sales. Under
his watchful eye and guidance, Greg taught me all about the farming
machinery business and after 5 years I then moved into my current
role as being the area John Deere, Sales Representative for Ag
Implements. The original plan being that I was to head the new John
Deere branch that was to be built on the eastern outskirts of town
but we all know how that ended don’t we!
I really have focused my life around Corrigin and it’s sports. From my
young years of achieving selection in the state Softball development
camp for the under 16’s boys, to playing many years of Football,
Hockey, Cricket, Tennis and I have also helped coach Junior
Football and Cricket (children in sport are our future). After injuring
my back and undergoing my first back operation at the tender age of
26, I played a season of pennant Bowls and have had the pleasure
of playing competition Bowls with my grandfather. We have
partnered together and even won the odd social event, (not too
many Grandfather/Grandchildren combos can hold that feather in
the cap). My current sporting commitments no longer see me playing
much sport but I have continued to be involved where I can. I have
held positions on many committees and currently, one of the
Football Club’s medic/trainers where I’ve been for 6yrs. It takes a
mountain of work to run these organisations and I truly encourage
anyone to help out where and whenever possible.
Out of sports, I am involved in the Corrigin Apex Club and have held
the Treasurer position for the past 6 yrs. I am a long serving member
(17yrs) of the Corrigin Volunteer Fire & Rescue and served briefly as
a volunteer with the local St Johns Ambulance. These years have
been very rewarding with self-satisfaction knowing I have helped
make a difference and provide an essential service to the
community. These jobs/groups have had some very real, life
changing and testing moments but it has also had some very
humbling and fun times, knowing you are part of an extremely
valuable service to the community gives you a lot of pride.
As far as Shire Council goes, I am a very upfront, speak my mind,
tell it like it is, type of person. Some people won’t like this type of
approach but at least people always know where I stand. I am not
always right but I love a strong debate anyway. I decided to join
Council in 2013 after speaking my mind and voicing my opinions to
another Councillor, who later encouraged me to run for Council and
follow my thoughts and passion for the Corrigin community. Council
has been a HUGE education for me on how local government works
(and doesn’t work, ha-ha) as well as an insight into state and federal
government operations. It has truly been a wonderful experience so
far and an eye opener to why nothing seems to be as easy as “just
get the job done”. Government red tape is frustrating….might be a
case of keeping someone in a job?
Corrigin has been and is a great country town to grow up in and I
feel very lucky to be a part of such a community that has treated me
well my entire life and I look forward to continuing my service to
Council and the local rate payers, that make our entire council
possible. Corrigin has many positives that most other country towns
would be envious of. My dream for a prosperous and sustainable
future for Corrigin really comes down to us all in the community. It
takes a big team effort to make organisations and communities
operate, if everyone chips in, we will only continue to move forward.
Readers, have a think how you can help make a positive difference
to Corrigin’s future, no matter how large or small, it all helps.
Matt
Cr MATT DICKINSON
Email: Phone: 9063 2189
Strengthening our community now to grow and prosper into the future
2
SHIRE OF CORRIGIN COUNCILLORS
Cr Lyn Baker - SHIRE PRESIDENT 9065 7053 0427 097 141
Cr Des Hickey - DEPUTY PRESIDENT 9063 2455 0428 751 024
Cr Matt Dickinson 9063 2189 0428 632 013
Cr Shannon Hardingham 0427 630 063
Cr Janeane Mason 9063 2138 0417 095 804
Cr Brian Praetz 9883 7550 0418 927 211
Cr Terry Pridham 9063 2532 0429 192 659
Know yourCouncillors...
Councillors are elected by you to represent the town’s residents and ratepayers. If you wish to discuss a
Council matter, offer any suggestions, have compliments, concerns or feedback, we want to hear from you.