John Ballestrino has been putting up his hand to fill vacancies on committees, raise money for community groups and help get local projects off the ground since he was 13.
Now his 40-year commitment to the Wyndham and Hobsons Bay communities has been recognised with an Order of Australia (AO) in this year’s Queen’s Birthday honours.
Mr Ballestrino, of Seabrook, says the award is not recognition for his community service but of all the volunteers he has ever worked with.
“If they weren’t around none of this would have happened,” he said.
“I wish they could all receive replicas of the
award. You can’t get on with things unless other people help and I’ve worked with hundreds.”
Mr Ballestrino has been involved in a variety of organisations in Wyndham and Hobsons Bay, from the Altona Youth Group to the Laverton Magpies Football Club, where he is a coach, committee member and life member, and Hobsons Bay Pirates Softball Club.
He volunteers for school councils and the Royal Melbourne Hospital dialysis support group and is president of the committee which set up Point Cook’s own Relay for Life event to raise money for cancer research.
“Relay for Life is the most fulfilling committee to be on in terms of what you get back from it,” he said.
“The people involved have such strength.”
Mr Ballestrino said volunteering was something he had always done.
“I like being part of a team and have made lifelong friends along the way,” he said.
Former Lalor MP Barry Jones received a Companion of the Order of Australia for his roles in scientific, heritage, musical, medical, political and public health organisations.
Laura Michell
