Laverton’s Lesley Ould and Seaholme’s George Said are joint winners of the Hobsons Bay citizen of the year title announced on Australia Day.
A Scout leader for 44 years, Ms Ould, 72, became heavily involved in volunteering for the community through her children.
“I’m just an ordinary person and I’d come to Laverton when I’d had my second child and I got my home through the housing commission,” she said.
“Unfortunately for my kids, I’m one of these ladies who would not let them join anything unless I’m involved because I want to know what they’re doing and where they’re going.”
She said Laverton had become even more lieveable with a new prep-to-12 school, community hub, art space and transformed train station complete with artwork.
Ms Ould said she cried when she heard of her civic honour.
“I don’t know if I’m worthy of that,” she said. I work for Laverton because I love Laverton. I love working with the people in Laverton. I’ll probably always be working for Laverton – as long as I can anyway.”
A Greek who was born in Egypt and lived there before being expelled for being a British subject, Mr Said arrived in Australia as a refugee in 1962.
He was “delighted, surprised and honoured” when he learned of his Australia Day award.
A volunteer for 52 years, Mr Said, of Seaholme, cited among his proudest achievements the development of a Greek church and the planting of trees along the nearby railway line to deter graffitists.
Gabrielle Duke, a 15-year-old student at Mount St Joseph Girls College, Altona, was named young citizen of the year.
Altona Yacht Club won the volunteer group of the year title. It prides itself on being a club for everyone and regularly hosts free “come and try sail days” for the community, including people with disabilities, of migrant backgrounds and from the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (GLBTIQ) community.
