By Jamie Salter
Pakenham’s Tim Ahern is this year’s Stan Henwood Volunteer Award winner for his work with the Pakeham Rotary Club among many other contributions to the community.
The Volunteer Reception Dinner was held at the Cardinia Cultural Centre in Pakenham on Thursday 19 May.
About 180 people attended the sit-down dinner in a celebration of community spirit.
The award honours the late Stan Henwood and his lifetime contribution to Tynong and the municipality.
Stan’s wife Bev Henwood and daughter Denise Davidson attended the event and helped Cardinia Shire Council mayor Jeff Springfield present the award.
“Dad always said ’You do not do community work for an award, you do it for the community,“ Mrs Davidson said.
Cr Springfield said all the nominees make an invaluable contribution to the community.
“Volunteering brings people together, creates a better society for everyone and build stronger communities and I’m really proud to say Cardinia Shire has a really strong community thanks to our many volunteers,“ he said.
“We’ve seen so many tough times this past year or two for Caridnia Shire residents, and if it wasn’t for the selfless dedication of volunteers, we would have truly struggled much more than we have.“
Councillors Greame Moore, Kaye Cameron, Jack Kowarzik and chief executive officer Carol Jeffs all attended the special event.
Mr Ahern has been actively volunteering through Cardinia Tennis Club, Pakenham Young Liberals, Pakenham Squash Club, Pakenham Hall and Recreation Reserve, Rotary Club of Pakenham, Pakenham Junior Football Club, Beaconhills College, PB. Ronald Trust, Pakenham Lions Social Club, Pakenham Angling Club, Pakenham Cardinia Bushfire Relief Rebuilding, Consolidated School Council, Pakenham Bush Nursing Hospital, Officer Scouts Group and Pakenham East Probus Club.
Tim is highly regarded by his peers and has also been awarded the Rotary Club of Pakenham Paul Harris Medal in 2011 and the Paul Harris Fellow Sapphire Pin in 2018 for ongoing service to Rotary and the community.
His volunteering journey started at age 17 at the Cardinia Tennis Club annual meeting.
He said he was “extremely honoured to be chosen“ as the award recipient.
“Volunteering is something that you get an enormous pleasure out of, but have a look at the room tonight, where’s the younger generation?“ he said.
“With successful volunteering, you’re only part of a team of people who all work together to make our shire a better place.
“Sadly, red tape is getting in our way a bit.“
He said he was proud of the award, to be a member of Cardinia Shire, and most importantly, the people he has worked with over the years.
