L to R. Councillors Jake Keogh, Marcia Timmers-Leitch, Peter Lockwood, Volunteer Heather Kleesh, Cr Nicole Seymour, Volunteer Kevin Knox and Cr Tony Holland.

From its earliest days Ferntree Gully has benefited from the long-standing service of committed volunteers. The Australia Day Awards honour these contributions every year.

Late last year a special volunteer contribution was recognised by Knox City Council. This was the longstanding service of volunteer representatives on the former Ferntree Gully Cemetery Trust.

Kevin Knox, Heather Kleesh and Tricia Kirk over many years had generously dedicated their time to making considered, thoughtful decisions for the benefit of the cemetery, its grounds, and the families for whom the cemetery holds an important place. The Trust’s
direction included the recent refurbishments and the new Grove Niche walls for ashes interment.

Long-standing Gully resident and Knox Citizen of the Year in 2014, Kevin recently received a handsome plaque commemorating his work on the Cemetery Trust. Around the same time his family and friends were congratulating Kevin and his wife Aileen (nee Boyd)
on their 60th wedding anniversary.

Kevin has always lived in the Dandenongs. Aileen’s family came to Ferntree Gully for a tree-change from Sunshine in 1949. Her parents, Val and Albert Boyd, are commemorated by a plaque at the Val Boyd Reserve in Victoria Street for their service to the community

Such networks of family and neighbourhood connections are part of the strength of our community. Congratulations to Aileen and Kevin, to Tricia and Heather and all those honoured on Australia Day.