Wellington locals are all invited to a special commemoration service for a beloved local leader, volunteer, and advocate, who served the community for decades.

A celebration of the life of the district author and Wellington Caves enthusiast Dr Mike Augee is being held this Sunday, March 9, from 11am at Wellington Golf Club.

The club is on Caves Road adjacent to the Wellington Caves which was one of the Dr Augee’s — a renowned palaeontologist — greatest passions.

The former councillor and deputy mayor of Wellington Shire, local author, and 2024 Citizen of the Year, died after a recent illness.

Among his many roles, Dr Augee was past-president, secretary and treasurer of the Wellington Historical Society; a member of Wellington's Heritage Committee; founder of Friends of the Wellington Caves; heavily involved in The Fossil Trail at the Caves; a member of the Wellington Lions Club; a volunteer ranger at Mt Arthur; and a supporter of Burrendong Botanic Garden and Arboretum.

A public leader, he also served on the former Wellington Council, holding the role of deputy mayor with a commitment to the betterment of the wider community.

A local environmentalist, Dr Augee’s Citizen of the Year award was in recognition of his commitment to the environment and his love of education and sharing knowledge of Australia’s flora and fauna.

In recent years Dr Augee joined the Greens and narrowly missed election to Dubbo Regional Council in September under their banner. Dr Augee had a distinguished professional life, including serving as the research director at the Wellington Caves.