For 40 years Ian Barclay, 66, has lived in Williamstown and has been heavily involved in the community, a place he loves to call home.
With an impressive resume dating back to the 1990’s , it is safe to say that Ian has earned his Council on the Ageing Award (COTA) at the 2023 Victorian Senior of the Year Awards.
On Wednesday, October 11, Ian joined 14 other senior Victorians at Government House who were recognised for their significant contributions to their local communities.
Ian’s contribution to the community includes his work at the University of the Third Age (U3A), Williamstown Swimming and Life Saving Club (WS&LSC), the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria (RYCV) and the Repair Cafe at the Louis Joel Arts and Community Centre.
For more than 25 years, Ian has been volunteering at the lifesaving club. He first started helping out when his family became involved in nippers.
Ian eventually started patrolling, something he has no plan to abandon any time soon.
“I really enjoy it all, and I also love giving back to the community,” he said.
“In a working career, you don’t have enough time for those sorts of things, but when you take the work factor out of it, you can do so much more.”
“I am very chuffed, I must admit. I am very humbled and definitely very honoured.
“I suppose it’s a bit of recognition for some of the stuff that I’ve done which is always lovely , but also to recognise the people who I have worked with who have been fantastic.
“This award reinforces what they’ve done as well, it’s definitely a two way award to my belief anyway.”
