Monash Bulletin - 12 June 2007

No Rest For Sir John Monash Award Winner

After more than four decades volunteering his time to many sporting organisations, you'd think retiree Norman Walsh deserved a well-earned break. However, the 2006 Sir John Monash Community Leadership Award winner wouldn't dream of snoozing past 6.30am on a Saturday morning.

"Every Saturday I am up and out of the house nice and early and don't get home until about 7.30 at night," said Mr Walsh. "On Sundays I like to think I enjoy a good rest."

"It was a real surprise when I heard my name read out at the Monash Civic Centre. I wasn't good at sport as a child and I recall my parents never came to watch me whenever I did play. So that's why I vowed that when I had children I would get involved in their sport."
Forty years on, Mr Walsh is now a grandfather, his eldest son Andrew - at 48 years of age - still plays super rules football and he continues to volunteer his services.

"I've seen a lot of football games and athletics meets in my days and I've still got lots more to see. Volunteering keeps me young," he said. Mr Walsh's Sir John Monash Award is proudly displayed in his family dining room and has become a talking point whenever guests visit.

"I'm not one to go around boasting but my grandchildren have made a big deal about it at their primary schools. I must admit it was very nice to receive letters of congratulations from so many people."

Nominations are open until June 21 for the tenth annual Sir John Monash Community Awards in three categories: Community Leadership Award, Volunteer of the Year and the Young Volunteer Award.

Nomination forms are available by downloading the FORMS or by contacting Karyn Boardman - karynb@monash.vic.gov.au or phone 9518 3509.

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Published: 8 June 2007

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