Bruce Porter, Director on the YMCA WA Board, was recently awarded the rare achievement of YMCA WA Life Membership at the annual YMCA WA Staff Awards on 26 October 2018.
Life Membership at YMCA WA is not awarded often, and not considered lightly. To be eligible for life membership, a nominee must have demonstrated a greater than ten year commitment to YMCA WA, been instrumental in the development or transformation of YMCA WA at some point, and be a person of good character and reputation. Bruce represents only the 12th person to be granted Life Membership in over 100 years of YMCA history in WA.
In seventeen years of continuous service on the Board, Bruce has served primarily as Director, including a brief period as President from 2003 to 2006. Bruce has provided a valuable link for current management and board members to the history of the YMCA in WA as it has evolved over a long period of time.
This stems from his involvement with YMCA Perth as a child, where he attended various programs in South Perth. This followed through to his teenage and young adult years, acting in roles of voluntary leadership at Saturday schoolboy activities and camps at Stoneville and Rottnest.
Speaking of Bruce’s’ contribution to YMCA WA, President of the Board, Justin Eve, commended Bruce on his stellar achievements to date.
“In Bruce’s tenure as Board President, he has demonstrated success in a number of initiatives, including introducing a Governance review, adoption of the constitution, and recruitment of Board members with relevant skills to enhance the business” said Justin.
“His most significant achievement, however, was his assistance to the YMCA WA into the field of Long Day care, something which has become a key pillar of our current growth strategy.”
In accepting the award, Bruce spoke with humility and said, “It’s a great honour to be recognised amongst those who have shaped the YMCA in WA over our 110 year history”.
Bruce was quick to distinguish the contributions of many of his long standing colleagues that he felt were equally deserving and also commented, “I am proud to have been recognised for championing the voice of young people, which is something the YMCA has been doing since I was a participant in my youth.”
The YMCA WA Staff Awards are held annually, providing an important opportunity to recognise the achievements of all YMCA staff across the state. This year the YMCA WA Staff Awards were held at South of Perth Yacht Club, celebrating those who have gone above and beyond in serving YMCA WA and local communities.
Outside YMCA WA, Bruce is Managing Director of his own property and investment business, Porter Commercial. Porter Commercial stand as one of Perth’s specialist commercial agents, focusing on shopping centre development, leasing and management and portfolio growth.
Above: Justin Eve, President - YMCA WA (left), Lin Doust, Volunteer Historian (middle) and Bruce Porter, Director - YMCA WA (right) at the YMCA WA 2018 Staff Awards.