Can-do attitude building Badgingarra community

Making sure her three boys have all the opportunities they could want has led Jade Williams to become the go-to-person for getting things done in her Badgingarra community.

Making sure her three boys have all the opportunities they could want has led Jade Williams to become the go-to-person for getting things done in her Badgingarra community.

Located about 200km north of Perth in Western Australia’s Wheatbelt, Jade runs a local transport business with her husband Shaun, but is also involved in various committees throughout the town, including the Badgingarra Primary School P&C, Community Association and Markets Committee. She is also involved with the Country Women’s Association, and was instrumental in esablishing the Badgingarra Junior Sports Club.

Often sourcing new experiences for community members, Jade was rewarded for her efforts with the Shire of Dandaragan Citizen of the Year award in January.

“I was quite shocked. I’m not really good at receiving praise … I run the kids’ sports because it helps my kids, I help the school because my kids are in the playgroup, and I do the community stuff because my kids are going to be in the community,” she said.

“When you’re getting rewarded from the community it’s quite nice to hear that, even though I feel like I’m doing it (for my family), what I’m doing is helping people and the greater community.”

Jade Williams, pictured here with son Clancy, 3, at Badgingarra, WA has been nominated for the Shine Awards. Picture: Ross Swanborough

Jade’s inability to say no paired with a can-do attitude has made Jade an instrumental figure in making Badgingarra a better and more vibrant place.

“I don’t like people complaining about things when there’s a solution. So that’s how I kind of end up on these committees … and I can’t say no,” she said.

“When people ask, ‘can you do the school council because no one else can do it?’ Sure. ‘Can you go get your bus licence to drive the bus because no one else can do it?’ Sure. I don’t know why … I’ve really shot myself in the foot,” Jade laughs.

“This is where my family is going to be for a long time, this is where we’re invested, so I just want to keep the community at its best.”

Jade Williams with husband Shaun, and kids Harvey, Dusty and Clancy. Picture: Supplied

Growing up on a dairy farm in Boyanup, about 200km south of Perth, Jade made the move to Badgingarra following work on feedlots, and is using her experience with livestock to help educate others on the importance of the live sheep export trade for rural communities in Western Australia.

“I’ve been on a live export boat doing a four-port stop ending up in Pakistan, I’ve been in the feedlots, done the processing … I feel like I’m quite an educated person because I’ve been involved in all the processes,” she said.

“So it gets me really mad when people throw out these things about how animals are treated or the (supposed) cruelty of it. Because if it was cruel, myself and other people in the industry wouldn’t be doing it, because we’re not cruel people and we wouldn’t be letting it happen.”

Jade was awarded the Shire of Dandaragan Citizen of the Year award in January. Picture: Ross Swanborough

Jade Williams has been nominated for the 2024 Shine Awards, which celebrate the achievements of rural and regional women across Australia. Click here to nominate an outstanding woman you know.