Friends of Cynda Miles honour her legacy

Nominated by her fellow environmental volunteers at Transition Margaret River, Cynda will be in the running for the RAC Volunteering Award at the WA Regional Achievement and Community Awards.

The Margaret River community was left devastated when Cynda and her family were killed in May’s Osmington tragedy. 

Friend Karen Majer said they wanted to remember and acknowledge Cynda for who she was and for her enormous contribution to the region.

“Cynda was a warm-hearted, generous, hard-working farmer and community volunteer with a great love for her family, environment and community,” she said.

“Cynda’s impact as a volunteer in Margaret River was huge, and her gifts to the community are still coming to light as people share stories.”

Cynda was the driving force behind Boomerang Bags, the borrow-and-bring-back fabric bags created to reduce plastic shopping bag use. She was one of the hub organising group of Transition Margaret River and she was the pavilion coordinator for the annual ‘Love Where You Live’ Sustainability Pavilion at the Margaret River and Districts Agricultural Show.

Ms Majer said these achievements were only the start of a lengthy list of Cynda’s contributions.

“Almost everywhere you go in Margaret River, there are visible signs of Cynda’s generosity and involvement,” she said.

“Rose bushes donated to the Organic Garden, sweet potatoes thriving the primary school vegetable garden, an old cut-off rainwater tank garden in the Environment Centre Community Garden, and a sea of handmade bags which are now cherished by those lucky enough to have been gifted one by Cynda.”

The award finalists will be decided on August 31 and winners announced on October 19. 

Ms Majer said Cynda personified the essence of community spirit.

“She was involved in many projects that helped to make our town a better place,” she said.

“We are determined to keep Cynda’s work going, and it will be a part of our healing as well as her legacy.”