Residents up in arms over Koweerup

Proud Kooweerup resident Gary King is passionate about his town. 117945_04 Picture: DANNY BUTTLER

By DANIELLE GALVIN

THE Kooweerup community has come out in defence of their town, saying it is the best country township in suburban Melbourne.
Long-term resident Gary King said he suspected the remark about Kooweerup’s village hill was “off-the-cuff” but he was humbled by the response from the town.
Human Rights Commission president Dr Gillian Triggs has since defended her comments saying they were taken out of context.
“What I am most proud of is the way that many residents were very quick to stand up for their township and show a commitment to set the records straight,” Mr King said.
“During my 40 years of community involvement in Kooweerup, the township has had some tremendous community workers who have achieved many of the great community facilities we all enjoy today.
“More importantly, with the new subdivisions being opened up the new residents are quick to get involved with many contributing to various organisations.”
Mr King said he was impressed with the reaction from the community about the town he had called home for more than 40 years.
“It is this attitude that will see our township continue to develop into a strong, proud and vibrant township on the edge of the sprawling south-east growth corridor,” he said.
“Fortunately, due to the fact that the township is only 10 kilometres from Pakenham and circled by the Kooweerup Flood Protection, the township will never be over developed and is why I often refer to it as the best country township in suburban Melbourne with the motto ‘Kooweerup, A Great Place to Live’.”
Social media has been abuzz since the comments were published last week.
While some in the community laughed off the apparent negativity, the town was united in their agreement that Kooweerup was a great place to raise a family and come together.
“Kooweerup is blessed with some excellent community facilities which didn’t just happen,” Mr King said.
“No local, state or federal government came along and simply gave them to us, they all came about by committed townspeople who got off their backsides and worked tirelessly for them.
“All these great community assets are all supported by committees who came together to achieve them and still continue to work for their township where they choose to live.”