Georgia Hallam believes her dad can save lives.
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The nine year-old Port Fairy Consolidated School student was thrilled when her dad Adrian was announced winner of Rotary Club of Warrnambool’s Father of the Year award on Wednesday morning.
The award meant he could be publicly thanked for his work helping others.
“My dad makes me feel special because I am really proud of him,” she said.
“I am proud because he has suffered from migraines for 30 years and he still has them. He doesn’t let this stop him from helping others. His passion is to help others suffering from similar things.
“He has helped people who have cancer, headaches and health problems.
“He runs a boot camp very early in the mornings to help people try and stay fit and healthy.
“My dad donates blood to help people who are lacking it. That makes me feel really proud of him.”
Tearing up with emotion, winning dad Adrian Hallam said parenting was a case of ‘actions speak louder than words’.
“You realise they’re watching you all the time,” he said. “Children don’t do what you say, they do what you do.
“If you act with love and kindness so will they.”
Mr Hallam said after suffering migraines for more than 30 years he was determined not to let it affect time spent with his three children.
Once diagnosed with celiac disease the forty-five year old left teaching to study naturopathy and help others with similar ailments.
Accepting his award Mr Hallam said it was important to congratulate all dads.
“It’s not easy,” he said. “You never know if you’re doing it right until something goes wrong,
“Or on days like this.”
Mr Hallam also believes his lucky pink shirt might have played a part in Wednesday’s win.
“This was the shirt I wore when both girls were born,” he said. “And I’ll wear it till the day I die.
“I even wore it for the third birth, which they said would be a girl but believe it or not it was a boy.
“That was a shock, but a great shock.”
Mr Hallam’s was one of 1214 entries from 21 south-west schools in this year’s event.
The annual event, now in it’s tenth year, aims to recognise and promote the importance of good fathering and male role models in the community.
Other winners included Ian Leonard, Tony Hillam, Ted Phillips, Tom Holden, Rick Hynes, Glen Petschel and Rodney Mackay.
Related: Year’s best dads named
