TIRELESS volunteer Ken Cumming has a capacity for remembering dates as expansive as his list of good deeds.
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The 69-year-old was recognised as Warrnambool’s Senior of the Year yesterday after decades of service to the Returned and Services League (RSL) and other community causes.
In his acceptance speech, Mr Cumming recalled with affection the work ethic of his adoptive parents which he said motivated him to help others.
“March 28, 1945 was the day I had the extraordinary luck of being adopted by Bill and Alice Cumming, who were wonderful parents,” the Warrnambool retiree said.
“I was a Berry Street orphanage baby and out of all the kids there, they picked me. Having a good mum and dad sets you up for life.”
Mr Cumming grew up in Bendigo before his parents moved to Warrnambool when he was 13.
He attended Warrnambool Technical School and later undertook an optical technician apprenticeship with FG & RG Bennett and Associates.
Several more auspicious dates stick out in Mr Cumming’s memory.
“February 19, 1966 I finished my apprenticeship,” he said. “Two months later — April 19, 1966 — I was drafted into the army and went to Puckapunyal.”
From there, Mr Cumming served his country in the rubber plantations of Vietnam, spending most of his eight-month tour in Nui Dat. His service translated back home into a passion for helping fellow servicemen and their families through the RSL.
He is known as the club’s “raffle man” and was awarded a RSL life membership two years ago.
Mr Cumming retired several years ago from his work as an internal auditor at Nestlé Dennington factory. But he has little spare time, also volunteering with Warrnambool Legacy and the Salvation Army.
“A lot of the Vietnam vets work for the Salvation Army because they were very good to us over there all those years ago,” Mr Cumming said.
“I’ve also volunteered for Legacy. Not because I’m a member, because I believe you should fully commit to something, but because I know what wonderful things they do for families in need.”
Lyndoch volunteer Charles Torney, fund-raising athlete Alby Clarke and Red Cross veteran Ken Billington were also recognised at yesterday’s civic ceremony.