Best dad of them all
MOOLAP dad Andrew Fratantaro received an early Father’s Day present yesterday when he was crowned the 18th annual Geelong Father of the Year.
He was nominated by his 10-year-old son Joseph in a funny, creative and heartwarming entry detailing the traits he most admires about his favourite bloke.
Mr Fratantaro, a V/Line signal technician, beat hundreds of nominated men from across the region to take the title and prize pack including a family holiday to the Gold Coast.
He said the win, announced in front of 300 people at yesterday’s breakfast event, was an unexpected honour.
“About a month ago Joseph came home from school and told me he wanted to read out his submission to me. I thought it was kind of nice, the hairy back bit wasn’t the best but it was honest ... I didn’t think anyone else would really read it,” Mr Fratantaro laughed.
The award celebrates the importance of positive male role models in families and the community, as seen through the eyes of children like Geelong East Primary School student Joseph.
“When your kids turn into the sort of people you would like them to be, that’s the most rewarding thing and all the other bits and pieces that go along with it, the day to day stuff,” Mr Fratantaro said.
The award is a longstanding partnership between Bethany Community Support, the Geelong Advertiser and the Rotary Club of Geelong that encourages primary school children in the Greater Geelong area to tell why the special man in their life deserves to be Geelong Father of the Year.
The annual event was held at the Geelong Football Club and hosted by Ian Cover, who also interviewed guest speaker Wayne Schwass.