Page 11 - Best Of Local Mag April 2023 Edition

2023 Life Membership Award - Ken Wilkinson

A measure of the success of the Mango Hill Progress Association over
the past 37 years, has been based on our “family” of community minded
residents, who with a wide variety of special “talents” are dedicated to
working together for our community.

One such person is former Naval Officer Lt Ken Wilkinson who, upon
leaving school, joined the Royal Australian Navy where he served for 18
years in both the regular Navy and Reserve Forces, including 2 years (2010-
2011) as Aide de Camp to Queensland’s 25th Governor, Penelope Wensley
(AC).
In 2007, Ken and wife Cate moved into the Mango Hill Village, where Ken
was “encouraged” by his next-door neighbour (Ken Hatchman) to join the
Mango Hill Progress Association, which he still attends between business
priorities and helps out wherever he can be of service to his community.

Ken has indeed served his community well in the form of that merry
gentleman dressed in a “Red Suit” carrying out the role with great
enthusiasm since 2009, riding his “sleigh” drawn by many forms of transport
to Danzy Buchanan Park on his annual visits to the Mango Hill Christmas
Carols.

In those early days, he had to make a quick dash into Santa’s suit in Ken
Hatchman’s house next door to avoid meeting up with his own young
children, before “magically appearing in Santa’s Sleigh down at Danzy
Buchanan Park among hundreds of excited children (including his own
Isaac & Helena). In more recent years, it has been Isaac and Helena who
assisted “Santa” as his Elves.

Mango Hill Village remains a special place for the Wilkinson family, despite
leaving the Village to be close to elderly parents. Ken still attends Progress
Association meetings and returns for that special role of making children
happy each Christmas Carols.

At the February Annual General Meeting on 15th February, those present
were delighted to award Life Membership to Ken Wilkinson who, among
many other services to the Association, continues to bring great delight
& joy to many hundreds of children in his role as Mango Hill’s very own
SANTA.

(As so many Mango Hill kids have said over the years! “THANK YOU
SANTA!)

April 2023 www.bestoflocal.com.au 11