On behalf of the committee and members, it was with much gratitude and in recognition of their excellent service and significant period holding office bearing roles that that Vice-President, Graeme Sennett,  awarded three of Advance Morwell’s greatest contributors Life membership. 

John Guy, Keith Brownbill and Max Williamson the very deserving recipients, have all made a tremendous contribution to Advance Morwell over many, many years.

John has undertaken the role of Chair for almost 20 years, and has not only actively led the organisation, but has provided active community representation.  He represented Advance Morwell on various committees including those responsible for Mine Fire Recovery, Future Morwell, The Morwell CBD Taskforce, Legacy Place Development, Kernot Hall redevelopment, amongst active participation in many other activities such as organising various events, and festivals and the development of a Morwell business guide.

As the organisation’s Secretary for the best part of 20 years, Keith Brownbill has been actively involved in the Town Common Redevelopment, Legacy Place development, organising various community events including the initial International Rose Garden festivals, preparing award winning Tidy Town submissions along with leading the installation and maintenance of rose planter boxes throughout the CBD, developing a tourism brochure for Morwell and initiating the creation of new town entrance signage.

Max Williamsons cautious guidance as Treasurer for almost 20 years ensured the organisations finances were in the best of hands.  Max led Advance Morwell’s largest project, the Airlie Bank House restoration, and subsequently managed the maintenance of this facility for many years.  He represented Advance Morwell on the Yallourn Environmental Review Committee, helped run various rose garden events, was actively involved in the Legacy Place Development and the erection of the Sir Stanley Savige memorial. 

He played a key role on the Town Common Committee of management, provided input into the Hazelwood Mine Westfield development, organised the purchase and installation of addition Christmas decorations and provided active input onto the Northwest residential development. Most importantly he assisted in supporting the Latrobe Planning Scheme c62 Amendment challenging the Yallourn Mine overlay which ultimately enabled approval for the Morwell Golf Links residential development to be built. 

Other activities included the design, construction and installation of new town entrance signage, and assisting Morwell Rose garden Committee with the development and installation of enhanced rose garden  signage and tourist information along with the development and installation of the town’s decorative murals.