The Tom Vickers Community Service Award was awarded to Paul Coleman of Breakaway Youth at the Golden Anniversary Celebrations.
The Tom Vickers Community Service Award was established in the 1996/1997 Rotary Year.
The Award not only recognises an individual’s outstanding contribution to the local community, it also honours and recognises Tom Vickers as an outstanding member of our community, a Rotarian and the Charter President of the Rotary Club of Greensborough.
The Award is not intended to be an annual award, but rather is an “occasional award”; to be given at any time the Board wishes to recognise an individual. Hence, nominations are open throughout the year, and the Board can select the time for making an award.
On the recommendation of the Anniversary Committee, and the nomination by one of the Members, the Board agreed that this was a significant occasion to make this award and approved the nomination of Paul Coleman for outstanding service to disadvantaged young people through his work with Breakaway Youth.
It was while Paul was a secondary student at Plenty Valley Christian School that he first heard of the vision for Breakaway Camps (now Breakaway Youth). Paul was working with Merv Landy at a working bee at the school when Merv shared his vision and plans. Paul’s comment was “I want to be your first volunteer leader’.
Paul worked with Merv in those initial stages as a volunteer. In 1997 he travelled overseas for 7 months. While hiking some of the mountains in Scotland Paul felt directed to work for Breakaway full time when he returned to Australia.
Today Paul’s commitment to the young people, and the vision of Breakaway Youth, is what drives and mot
ivates him.
ivates him. Paul completed a Tourism Outdoor Recreation Management course in 1998.
Sponsored and encouraged by our club he completed RYLA in 2001 and was part of a Support Team for RYLA in 2002.
Paul and Sharyn were married in April 2003 and Paul was appointed Acting Executive Director the same year. This was soon changed to Exec Director.
For all of that, if you asked Paul “what are his greatest achievements” he would tell you that they are to be found in the changed lives of the young people he serves.
The award was presented by Ms Merrin Vickers in honour of her father and in recognition of the commitment of the recipient.