Youth worker named citizen of the year
Almost two decades of outstanding service to Neerim and district youth by John Van der Marel has been recognised with him being named the district’s 2020 citizen of the year.
The award was presented during Australia Day celebrations at Neerim South by the event’s chair Jim Rae.
Mr Van der Marel moved to the district in 2001 and immediately involved himself in community work.
He has spent most of his adult life in youth work as a volunteer and in a professional capacity as a youth work, as a school chaplain and co-ordinating camps.
Eighteen years have been spent as a youth worker at the Neerim South Co-operating Church and he has juggled full-time work as program manager at Forest Edge camp with running a weekly youth program.
The youth group provided a safe place for many young people, some from as far as Noojee, to join in fun and character-building activities.
Mr Van der Marel’s help has also extended help to youth group members’ families in times of difficulty.
The citizen of the year award further highlighted the Positive Choices Mentoring Program; his programming, facilitation and leadership of adventure-based activities for youth and school groups since 2003 including an annual 10-day wilderness camp that was expanded to incorporate an eight-day sailing program.
Mr Rae said Mr Van der Marel’s mentoring and personal development programs had benefitted countless young people with impacts that were immediate, ongoing and long term.
What began as a “little raffle” by Neerim district Community House and Men’s Shed to support bushfire victims in East Gippsland turned out a bit larger than expected.
Tickets were sold preceding Australia Day with a presentation to be made to the Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund’s bushfire appeal during the day’s activities at Neerim South.
A cheque for $500 was drawn up in advance for the presentation but by the time that came round proceeds had swelled to $750.
Deputy president of GERF Lynda Bertoli was delighted to go to Neerim South for the handover, even more delighted when she received $250 more than she had been expecting.