O'Shannassy Ward Councillor and four-time Yarra Ranges Mayor, Cr Jim Child, has been recognised for his work in local government, receiving an OAM in the 2026 Australia Day Honours.
Cr Child was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) on Monday as part of the annual honours, where people are recommended to the Governor-General for recognition.
Serving as the Shire President for the Shire of Upper Yarra in 1985, Cr Child was elected to Yarra Ranges Council in 2012, becoming Mayor for the first time in the same year.
Yarra Ranges Mayor, Cr Richard Higgins, said that Cr Child had continually served his community with integrity, purpose and care.
"We've been truly privileged at Yarra Ranges to have a Councillor as committed and dedicated to the community as Cr Child," Cr Higgins said.
"From driving major initiatives across the municipality, to providing calm, consistent leadership during times of crisis such as COVID or natural disasters, Cr Child has been a passionate and unwavering advocate for his community.
"From championing the ongoing delivery of local services and projects to responsible financial management and engaging directly with residents to understand their needs, Cr Child always brings a thoughtful and community-minded approach to his role as Councillor.
"When we recently welcomed four new Councillors to Yarra Ranges following the 2024 elections, Cr Child set a clear example of what it means to serve in elected office for the benefit of the community.
"While our Councillor group naturally brings a diversity of views, it is undeniable that Cr Child is someone we all respect. The community has truly benefited from his steady leadership and passion for Yarra Ranges.
Cr Higgins said that projects such as the Warburton Bike Park (formerly Warburton Mountain Bike Destination) wouldn't have progressed without Cr Child.
"The community may not always know, but the role of Mayor requires a lot of advocacy to the State and Federal Governments – representing the views of the community and projects across our region, to try and help put the Yarra Ranges on the map," Cr Higgins said.
"The Warburton Bike Park has been more than a decade in the making, and Cr Child has championed not just the project, but the many side conversations about community infrastructure, support for local business and the local environment.
"We've been very successful in receiving State and Federal funding for this project, thanks to tireless work from our project staff alongside advocacy from Cr Child.
"Congratulations, Jim, on a very well-deserved award."
Cr Child joins Cr Len Cox OAM as the second serving Yarra Ranges Councillor to be awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia.
