Mrs Mavis Bookham made a Freeman of the Shire of Wyalkatchem

The award was presented by the Honorary John Bowler, Minister for Local Government and Regional Development at a morning tea in Mavis's honour.

Mavis has been an outstanding member of the community, still active at 85, taxiing the "oldies" around town and a member of several committees and clubs. Mavis moved to Wyalkatchem in 1938 where she worked in a boarding house called the "White House" until she married Jack Bookham in 1939. In 1941 they bought their own farm north of town where they raised four children.

Mavis joined Red Cross and CWA early in her married life and was a member or office bearer for both until they closed. She has been a printer on the local "Wyalkatchem Weekly" since its inception, she and friend Ethel Metcalf have only recently stopped printing, possibly because it's all too easy these days not like when you had to wrestle with the machine to produce any results. Mavis found threatening it with a hammer worked wonders!

Mavis, with Sue Woods steered the Tidy Towns effort in the 1980s leading to a most improved and then state title winner for Wyalkatchem. Her role as a caterer in the many clubs in which she held membership over the years is unsurpassed;  even into her 80s "Bookie" was making chicken rolls for football lunches.

Mrs Bookie is a life member of the Wyalkatchem District Club, Wyalkatchem Hockey Club and Wyalkatchem Ladies Bowling Club. She has been awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship by Rotary and was mid west Senior of the year in 2002. She still serves on the committees of the Senior Citizens Homes Trust and Wylie Weekly and takes an active part in Senior Leisure group.

Mavis was joined by family and friends for the occasion and is a very deserving recipient of the honour, being only the fourth Freeman in the 80 years of the Shire's existence.