By Peter Douglas
Long-time Emerald volunteer Mike Allery says his recent Australia Day honour is largely due to working with so many fantastic people.
After receiving Cardinia Shire’s Senior Citizen Award for 2017, Mr Allery said he owed a great deal to the many dedicated volunteers he had worked with.
Mr Allery said volunteering was a great way to meet top people.
“There are too many to name, but we’re all mates and they’ve been a pleasure to work with,” he said.
“I’m definitely not in it for the awards … being a volunteer isn’t hard work if you enjoy it.”
Mr Allery said receiving the award was a humbling experience, particularly due to the regard in which he held other nominees.
“When I looked at the other nominees, there were two in a wheelchair and another who needed a walking stick, yet they all found time to give so much to their community,” he said.
Mr Allery was acknowledged for his work with youth at Emerald Secondary College, as well as co-ordinating the Emerald Men’s Shed for almost a decade.
Through his involvement in the Men’s Shed, he has assisted many local groups including SES, RSL, Fernlea House and NHP Museum.
Over the years, Mr Allery said he had enjoyed many rewarding volunteering efforts, but one stand-out was the level of community assistance offered during Black Saturday in 2009.
With the help of the U3A, he remembers helping to organise the donations of much-needed equipment for the people of Marysville, such as generators and woodworking tools.
“That’s something that really stands out in my mind, just due to the high level of community supports – it was really amazing to see,” he said.
Fellow U3A member Paul Bianco said Mr Allery thoroughly deserved the award.
“Mike was president of the U3A for five years and a great deal of our present success is due to him,” he said.
“His work with the Emerald Men’s Shed is legendary.”
Meanwhile, hard-working citizen Wayne Collins was named Cardinia Shire Council’s Citizen of the Year.
Since establishing the Emerald Centre for Youth and Outreach (ECHO) more than 30 years ago, Mr Collins has dedicated himself to improving the lives of others.
