Mayor wears family’s medals

A new Kwinana tradition may have started this Anzac Day, as Mayor Carol Adams wore the medals of a local family in tribute.

Calista resident John Byles contacted the City of Kwinana with the idea, which was taken on at Monday’s service in Kwinana.

Mr Byles is a former national serviceman and said the idea was to honour those who had defended Australia.

“We are a local family — my grandfather was a group settler in Baldivis and the family has been in the area for 90 years,” he said.

“Over that period of time there have been 10 members of our family that have served in the military — nine men and one woman.

“They have served in all three branches. The idea popped up that we could do something to recognise local families that have served.”

Ms Adams said it was an honour to wear the medals of Mr Byles and his family, which took pride of place beside two of her own father’s medals.

She said a local tradition could well be forged.

“The more we started talking about it, the more we thought what a wonderful tradition it could be that the mayor of the day, in consultation with the RSL, could source a Kwinana family who has a military background each year,” she said.

“It is to honour the veterans by wearing their family’s medals. This is the first year and it is the first time that I know of that any mayor has done this.”