By Tate Papworth
What’s your connection to Brimbank?
I’ve lived out this way since 1973. When I was a kid I was knocking around Braybrook and Sunshine. I was a western suburbs boy right from the start.
What do you like best about the area?
It’s a great little community. I love the different cultures and how each one tries to get on with each other.
What could be done better?
I think the council and everyone does a good job. They continue to do the things we need to have done. It can be hard to get the funds to do things we need to do, particularly things like the roads and the development is probably happening a bit too quick for the infrastructure.
Tell us a little bit about your involvement with the Caroline Springs RSL.
Myself and a colleague Murray Lewis actually opened the Caroline Springs RSL, which sort of got things going back in 2013. We’ve been going six years now.
And what was the main driving factor for doing that?
The reason we did it was to try and cater for the younger people coming back from Afghanistan and Iraq.
We thought the community really needed one. It’s all about being there for our people if we’re needed.
And you’ve just won the Veteran Community Award at the Victorian Senior of the Year Awards?
I did. I’m pretty chuffed about it. It’s something strange, you don’t do these things expecting to be rewarded for it, so it’s a real honour when you are. I know a lot of people worthy of an award such as this, but I’m honoured to even be thought of.
So have you had time to celebrate?
It’s a bit over the top for me. My wife jokes I’m always out searching for the glory and in the front of photos, but it’s all good.
