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Rangers best in the West

It’s official – the City of Fremantle ranger team is the best in the State, after winning the WA Rangers Association top award for the second time. Named the 2004 Ranger Team of the Year and presented with a perpetual shield, winner’s shield and inscribed clock, the City of Fremantle ranger team previously took out the inaugural award in 2002.

Fremantle Mayor, Councillor Peter Tagliaferri, said the ranger team, which is part of the City’s Integrated Patrols, has very efficient processes in place and a good rapport with the community.

“Gone are the days when rangers were perceived as the bad guys in Fremantle – they do much more than just catch stray dogs and strive to be an integral part of the community, taking a proactive approach to their everyday work,” he said. “Our rangers go above and beyond their normal areas of responsibilities in order to help people, whether it’s lending a hand to light barbecues on the City’s reserves or even on occasion transporting residents’ dogs to the vet to be sterilised.

“It’s the little things they do that help the community and also help to make their job more rewarding. I am delighted our ranger team has been recognised for their hard work and dedication to the local community, right across the municipality, as they get out and about in the suburbs and places such as Booyeembara Park and Samson Park.”

City of Fremantle Integrated Patrols Coordinator, Dave Braid, said the ranger team focused on more than just pet related matters.

“Some of the varied duties include educational talks for schools, following up litter complaints, liaising with buskers and providing assistance at public events held on Council property,” he said. “Many submissions were entered for Ranger Team of the Year and an independent board selected the City of Fremantle as the ultimate winner – congratulations go to Rangers Andrea Smith, Dave White and Mark Liddington, as well as Integrated Patrols’ administration and parking teams in their supporting roles. We are thrilled with the award but it’s the positive feedback from the community that drives the team forward to continuously improve.”

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