By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
MANY would say that Bert Rae’s Citizen of the Year award was a matter of ‘when’ rather than ‘if’.
On Sunday night this theory was proven true when the Narre Warren stalwart was awarded the Casey Citizen of the Year award at a special Australia Day ceremony held at the Casey Civic Centre.
Other award recipients included Casey Young Citizen of the Year Ben Hill, Senior Citizen of the Year Margaret Sansom, Sportsperson of the Year Shabnam Safa and Non-resident of the Year Maree Cullinan.
Alkira Secondary College’s Year-11 VCAL students were awarded the Community Event of the Year for their In Their Footsteps program.
Mr Rae, 73, has been a devoted and active community member since he was a child and is involved in daily community volunteer work.
He is the chairman of the Narre Warren North Community Carols and a valued committee member of the Berwick and District Benevolent Society.
Mr Rae is also heavily involved in the Berwick Agricultural Show Society, the Narre Warren North Community Association and volunteers for a range of other community organisations.
Mr Rae said he wouldn’t be able to do what he does without the help of his wife, Gwenda, and his family.
“I’m quite overwhelmed; it was an honour just to be nominated,” he said.
“I just enjoy helping people. I am proud of the City of Casey, to live here and to be involved with it.”
He said he had no idea he would be announced as the Citizen of the Year after being invited along to enjoy the evening on Australia Day.
Casey Mayor Geoff Ablett said the awards were a significant part of Casey’s proud history and a strong reflection of its community spirit.
