Springvale’s Wesley Eggleston was a finalist in the Premier’s Award for the Victorian Senior of the Year.SPRINGVALE resident Wesley Eggleston was judged the second runnerup at the Premier’s Award for Victorian Senior of the Year.
Staff at the City of Greater Dandenong nominated Mr Eggleston for the awards, which were presented at a special reception at Government House on Friday.
Mr Eggleston said he was chuffed to have been thought about in the first place.
“Any recognition is very, very nice,” he said. “You know you don’t go looking for these things but the rewards are very sweet when they come.”
Mr Eggleston said several people accompanied him to the presentation, including Greater Dandenong’s Linda McCann and Cr Angela Long, and various elderly citizens of Springvale including Pat and Albert Belaski from the Springvale Benevolent Society.
“It was a day of lovely celebrations,” he said.
Greater Dandenong mayor Maria Sampey said Mr Eggleston had made a great deal of difference to the Springvale community.
“His commitment to enhancing the lives of the socially disadvantaged in the area through his long involvement with the Springvale Benevolent Society has made a difference to so many,” she said.
Accredited as a local Methodist preacher in 1952, Mr Eggleston has had numerous awards presented to him for his services to the community. These include the City of Springvale Citizen of the Year in 1984 and the Commonwealth of Australia Centenary Medal Long Service for Community Aid in 2003.
Mr Eggleston has most recently been nominated as a Greater Dandenong Living Treasure.
The Victorian Senior of the Year Award celebrates men and women aged over 60 whose selflessness and achievements inspire their fellow citizens and strengthen their communities.
