Peter Headen from ACE Radio commenced proceedings for the 2017 Father of the Year Awards, handing over to Rotary Club of Warrnambool President Trevor Williams to introduce the invited guests this morning;

Welcome to the boys & girls, their families and all Rotarians.  It is the 9^th year Father of the Year has been held with a record number of 1,299 entries to be considered, surpassing previous years’.  Special thanks to Ian Cairns and his Committee for their hard work in organising the competition, Ace Radio, South West Credit, Bunnings Warehouse, Brophy Family & Youth Services and the Rotary Club of Warrnambool.

 

Francis Broekman thanked all the dignitaries’ for attending today’s annual Father of the Year Award.  A significant Father figure in Francis’s childhood was his Grandfather who was a child in WWII surviving in the Dutch underground.  His Grandfather wisely quoted “be gentle with yourself, be honest and accept your failings”. 

 

Twenty three schools have participated in this year’s competition and we thank the teachers for supporting the students, creating opportunities for them to enter.  David Irving was last years – 2016 winner, David felt it was an overwhelming honour receiving the Award.

Woodford Primary School was the highest participating school in the competition.

 

Paul Hughes, Manager of Bunnings Warehouse, a nine year involvement with Father of the Year Award.  We thank Bunnings for their generous $50 gift voucher, together with David Brown – CEO, representative of South West Credit for their $100 prize also presented to the following year levels.

Denis Napthine – our 47^th Premier of Victoria congratulated all Father’s in South West Victoria.  We live in complex times today with social media and the day to day demands on family life, a message I can take from my own family is to provide a loving environment, listen to your children and be gentle on yourself (which we have heard earlier).  There is an absolute right Fathers must pass on to their children, the football team they must barrack for!  And celebrate each and every day with your children.

I was brought up in a family of 10 children, five girls and five boys, well balanced family.  My father would have loved Bunnings as he was a very practical man, in fact he owned a Commer Van and fashioned seats fit the interior. Not all things went to plan however, on a road trip one of my sisters Barbara fell out of back of the van, when we told Dad he said “I can’t stop, I’ll never get up the hill!”  When we reached the top, we went back for Barbara who wasn’t injured.

 

The next group winners received $100 gift voucher from Bunnings Warehouse and $250 account with South West Credit, together with an award certificate.

 

Roma Britnell, Member for South West Coast remarked today is a beautiful celebration recognising it takes a village to raise a child, the importance of all Father figures and the role Father’s (Father figures) play in children’s early lives.I too have fond memories of wonderful advice received from my Father role model ‘Jim’. A fantastic event run by Rotary.

 

The overall winner of Father of the Year was announced – Daniel McKenna.Daniel and his family win weekend accommodation in Melbourne and passes to the Melbourne Zoo.

 

Cr. Kylie Gaston expressed her pleasure attending the Annual Father of the Year and asked the audience to join with her in showing appreciation of this wonderful event.

 

Cr. Jim Doukas congratulated Daniel and all Fathers who were nominated.Well done Ian Cairns and your Committee.