ACCORDING to Warrnambool City Council’s Australia Day citizen of the year, Peter Headen, there are far more deserving recipients.
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Mr Headen said he was honoured and humbled to be recognised but was more than happy to continue his work out of the spotlight.
The general manager of ACE Radio has been an active member of the community, committing his time and energy to both Hampden and Warrnambool and District football and netball clubs, Peter’s Project, the Melbourne to Warrnambool Cycling Classic and numerous other community groups and causes.
Mr Headen said his motto had been to get up in the morning and do what he could to make a difference.
He said the enjoyment he got out of the work was ten-fold.
“I really just want to be in the background,” he said. “There are other people who volunteer off the bat and would be worthwhile recipients.
“I’ve been most fortunate in the job that I do.
“My employer has allowed me to be flexible and use their resources.”
Mr Headen moved to Warrnambool 17 years ago and together with his wife has raised four daughters.
He said his passion for local football and netball leagues stemmed from the clubs being centrepieces of their communities and countless families, including his own.
“Every Saturday morning mums, dads and kids are there,” he said.
“I think it’s really important we embrace them. I’ve got four daughters that we took to netball every Saturday and it was what was talked about the night before the game and the night after.”
Mr Headen has also been involved in Rotary, Lions, Fun4Kids, Homemade Jam Concert, Relay for Life, Light the Night, South-West Games, Rotary House, Father of the Year, Chaplaincy Appeal, Careers Expos, WRAD, Standing Tall, Wunta, 32-Hour Challenge and Seahawks and Mermaids sponsorships.
He is an ambassador for White Ribbon Day and was a board member of WRAD and Emmanuel College.
cquirk@fairfaxmedia.com.au