Local hero calls for recognition of volunteers
ONE of Geelong’s “local heroes” has urged people to consider the myriad of volunteers who power the community and nominate them for the 2019 Australian of the Year awards.
Bernie Jenner was named Australia’s Local Hero (Victoria) in 2007 for his paediatric work at Geelong hospital and St John of God, and founded two charities to assist children with disabilities and their families, but believed there were more deserving people to be recognised.
“The glue that holds this country together is volunteering and we have, at every level, every sportsground, every club, every educational facility, emergency services, and there are so many people who deserve accolades and deserve a thank you,” Dr Jenner said.
“I accepted the award on behalf of all the people I work with and that leadership, if in any way, it encourages other people to give back, that’s partly the reason for the existence of the awards, it’s really to do with leadership.
“You can register people online very easily and it’s a way of promoting the organisations of the community and thanking people who have made a difference in your lives by voting for them or nominating them.”
Dr Jenner, an Australia Day ambassador, said he saw his award as a representation of how fortunate he was to be Australian and a reflection of the community-minded people around him.
Nominations can be submitted online at australianoftheyear.org.au and close at midnight on Tuesday, July 31. The finalists are named on January 25 in Canberra.