Conversation about men’s health and well-being is slowly gaining momentum around Melton – thanks to Gill Ellis.
The 67-year-old from Melton South has been heading the Melton’s Men Shed for the past five years, encouraging conversation among the fellas about their health issues and bridging the gap between them and local schoolkids.
“Because of bad health I had to pull the pin and quit, but I just felt that I wasn’t finished with life,” Mr Ellis said.
“At the shed, we can get down there and we talk and we all have the same problems. We can talk about how we feel and it re-instils a bit of faith in what you’ve been doing for the past 30 or 40 years.”
Mr Ellis’s work at the shed – including his passion for connecting blokes in town, partnering with the local Aboriginal Men’s Group, and his close relationship with local schools – has landed him the Melton citizen of the year award.
Melton mayor Sophie Ramsey said the awards recognised the contributions residents make to community life.
“Volunteers play a crucial role in making our neighbourhoods safe and inclusive for all our residents. Without them, our great city wouldn’t be half as great it is.”
Kelli McLaren is Melton’s woman of the year, a title recognising her commitment to improving the health and well-being of young people through sport.
And 14-year-old Maddison Wood, who is young citizen of the year, has been instrumental in forming the first Caroline Springs Lakes girls youth rugby team.
The BusyFeet Melton, which provides a special place for children with a disability to build friendships and have fun, is the community project of the year.
