Long-time Melville Palmyra Tennis Club member Alex Foster knows first-hand that volunteering adds to the sense of community.
It was a pointed moment for Alex when he received the City of Melville Auspire Community Citizen of the Year earlier this year, alongside Senior Community Citizen of the Year Lynda Chapman, Youth Community Citizen of the Year Sascha Finlay-Collins and the Willagee Youth Drop-In, which received the Active Citizenship (Group or Event).
He first started playing at the Melville Palmyra Tennis Club as a junior in 1992 after his family moved to Melville, with his journey including various committee roles including being President for 23 years along with roles with the Melville Sporting Association.
“It’s not been about the accolades, I was happy to be involved and give the club a younger aspect at the time.
“I just enjoyed leading the team of volunteers, and it’s great to see our facilities being used by the community and bettering the sport of tennis.
“One of the highlights for me is with the Melville Sporting Association, seeing football, cricket and tennis clubs act as one.
“Fostering that relationship and seeing the band of volunteers who turn up each week, my role has been to encourage them to stay involved.
“Over the journey I’ve made life-long friends and seen the changing demographics, tennis is traditionally usually you have your juniors and the older cohort and the in-between fade away, but we’re seeing that change in demographic with the popularity of Padel, Pickle Ball and tennis also making a comeback
Alex said it was a shock to receive the City of Melville Auspire Community Citizen award for his roles not just with sporting clubs but also with and local schools Seton Catholic College, and Mel Maria Primary School.
“I wasn’t aware that I was up for the award, but I was appreciative to be acknowledged.
“You don’t volunteer for monetary gain or accolades, you need to be the leader and figurehead sometimes, but it’s about involving the tennis club members, sporting association members and the community.
“I was overwhelmed to be acknowledged, I was very proud to receive the award”
“A lot of the community services that happen in the City of Melville, WA and throughout Australia are because of volunteers.
“It’s a sense of belonging to your community, some see it as a hobby or to take the stress out of everyday life but its about being together”
“A lot of the services in our community couldn’t be provided without volunteers, they need people to lead, help and organise.
“Volunteering can mean different things to different people, it doesn’t matter if it’s a little bit or a lot, but it’s great to see people involved in the tennis and sporting club.”
Nominations are now open for the 2027 Auspire Community Citizen of the Year Awards until Saturday, 31 October 2026.
From volunteers and sporting leaders to environmental champions, community groups and local changemakers, these awards recognise the people who help make Melville a more connected, inclusive and vibrant place to live.
To nominate a local hero, visit citizenshipawards.com.au
Attribute the following comments to City of Melville Mayor Katy Mair:
“It’s so great to see volunteers such as Alex being recognised for their vital volunteering – adding to the sense of community in the City of Melville.
“I encourage our community to think about the volunteers in our community who are making Melville a more connected, inclusive and vibrant place to live and nominate them, whether it’s sporting leaders to environmental champions, community groups and local changemakers,
“I can’t wait to see the 2027 Auspire Community Citizen of the Year Awards in January 2027 and for us to celebrate even more people making Melville a vibrant, sustainable and inclusive City.”