GRANT District elected member Shirley Little has seen the highs and lows of the Tarpeena community.
She can vividly recall the devastating Ash Wednesday bushfires that swept through the timber town and the closure of the school and much loved football club.
But despite the setbacks that has faced the township, Cr Little has been an unwavering advocate for community.
Cr Little has been recognised for her dedication to the community with a local government 25 year service award.
“Tarpeena is a different place to the one it was many years ago,” Cr Little said.
“The school closed in 2011 due to dwindling enrolments and the 2010 closure of the Nangwarry mill hit the town hard.”
But Cr Little – who was the town’s postie for some 40 years – said the community spirit was strong and young families were moving back to the area for an affordable country lifestyle.
“We now have a population of about 415 people with 124 families living in the area which is wonderful,” the long serving councillor said.
Sadly, the community stalwart also remembers the Ash Wednesday fireball that claimed 14 lives and destroyed countless properties.
“There is only a small group left in Tarpeena that experienced the devastation of Ash Wednesday, however we all need to remain vigilant and be prepared for the upcoming fire season,” she said.
Starting her local government journey in 1994, Cr Little she had witnessed first-hand the ups and downs of life in a small rural community.
Cr Little helped steer the council through the 1996 amalgamation of Mount Gambier and Port MacDonnell district councils to form Grant District Council.
Reflecting on her 25 years of service, Cr Little hoped her efforts had contributed some good for the betterment of the whole of the district.
“I have been an active participator in life in Tarpeena, not only in my role with the post office but on the town’s progress association, cancer support group, football club management committee,” she said.
Cr Little was involved with the local school, where four generations of her family have attended.
“I believe in representing my community and I must continue to make it a great place to live.”
Although there has been a demise of sport in Tarpeena, Cr Little is buoyed by the resumption of cricket in Tarpeena which she says has been great for the young ones.
At this week’s council meeting, Cr Little was presented a Local Government Association certificate and pin for her 25 years of service.
