Our 2026 judges
Andrew Bagust
Andrew has stepped out of a lifetime in the building industry, is now semi reitired and enjoying travelling to communities all over the world. He is an author of four historical novels. Andrew is involved in giving back to the local community, loves bird watching, swimming and getting out in the caravan to explore our diverse state.
Wendy Bagust
Wendy is a semi retired property manager, with a house building and renovating background. She enjoys gardening, meeting people from all walks of life, and hopes to do a Camino walk one day. Caring for the unique WA flora and fauna is a big value for her.
Julie Gibbings
Julie is a retired primary school teacher/deputy principal who enjoys travelling off the beaten track and camping within Australia. She enjoys history, gardening and gerneral maintenance. She also loves giving the gift of tiem and helping friends.This is Julie's second year as a judge, she loved it so much she volunteered again!
Aaron Johnston
Aaron Johnston leads the Community Resource Centre Program at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, working with over 100 CRCs across Western Australia. His lifelong connection to regional communities spans living, working, and travelling from the Kimberley to the Great Southern. Aaron’s early passion for local stewardship, from school involvement in Tidy Towns to founding Estuary Guardians Mandurah, led him back to Tidy Towns as a judge in 2025.
Peter Kenyon OAM
Peter is Director of, Bank of IDEAS, and has exceptional knowledge of regional development, offering his insights to communities to encourage sustainable outcomes. Peter has been involved with the Awards since 2017 and was the Western Australian Senior of the year in 2017.
Cassandra Marriott
Cassandra is a Project Officer for the Community Resource Centre Program at DPIRD. Cassie coming from a longline of farmers, grew up in the Great Southern and Wheatbelt, and has been working with community groups for the last 11 years. In 2025, Cassie was a partner judge for the WA Community Achievement Awards, sitting on the DPIRD Economic Development Award.
Kylie Payne
Kylie has lived and worked across a range of regional communities in Western Australia, in Landcare, environmental and natural resource management with state and local government, as well as in community engagement. She values connecting with people doing inspiring work in their local areas and enjoys travelling across WA, along with native gardening and bushwalking.
Linda Walker
Linda worked in Age Care for 36 years and loved her role. Now retired she enjoys travelling, camping, gardening, reading and knitting. A people person, Linda loves meeting people and spending time with her wonderful friends and eating chocolate.
Print this page
