Ballan resident Kevin Healey was one of fourteen Victorians to receive a Council on the Ageing (COTA) Victoria Senior Achiever Awards as part of the 2023 Victorian Senior of the Year Awards program on October 11.
The 73-year-old was raised in Blackwood, and after a stint in Melbourne moved to Ballan where he has lived for 43 years and dedicated his time to a number of volunteer organisations.
Mr Healey said he feels honoured to receive the award.
“It’s not about gaining public kudos, but it’s a good feeling to be recognised,” he said.
Mr Healey has worked with the Ballan Men’s Group, the Ballan Community House, Wombat Regional Arts Group, Steptoes Op Shop, marshalls the BAF parade and assists seniors with physical disabilities.
In 2011 he joined the Local Control Facility (LCF) of the Ballan CFA, and since becoming a firefighter in 2014 has responded to 249 callouts.
In 2013 he offered to identify and research people from what was Ballan Shire who served in WW1 as a part of a project towards centenary commemoration of the landing at Gallipoli in April 2015.
Consuming approximately 2500 hours of research over 2 years I identified over 1000 people who enlisted and over 700 who served. This information was printed in a 3-volume book form,” he said.
“As well, the names of those who served were later imprinted in bricks and laid in the garden of the Ballan Soldiers Memorial Hospital.”
Mr Healey said his community contributions trace back to role-modelling from his mum growing up.
“[She] was a keen contributor to local community activities so I grew up seeing it as the norm,” he said.
“It’s pleasing to make a contribution and help out. It’s a warm feeling to be able to help someone.”
