Gong for Jackie

Melbourne councillor Jackie Watts has been awarded an Australia Day honour for services to local government and to the community.

Cr Watts was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the general division.

She told Southbank Local News she was humbled and honoured to receive the award.

“Knowing how much others do for the community, it is particularly humbling,” she said.

Cr Watts also said it was also pleasing to represent women in the award system, where gender equity was yet to be achieved.

She has been a councillor since 2011.

Cr Watts has a track record in community activism, advocating on behalf of residents and ratepayers through her work as Convener with the Carlton Residents Association, CoRBA-Melbourne (Coalition of Resident and Business Associations) and more recently, with the Carlton Alliance, a group dedicated to reunifying North Carlton with the City of Melbourne.