By CASEY NEILL
NOBLE Park’s top contributors received recognition this month.
Noble Park Community Action Forum (NPCAF) presented its annual awards at a gala dinner at Noble Park RSL on 11 October.
City of Greater Dandenong Mayor Jim Memeti and South Eastern Metropolitan Region MP Lee Tarlamis presented each nominee in five award categories with a certificate acknowledging their efforts.
The Foundation Award acknowledged selfless lifetime service and commitment to Noble Park, and this year went to joint winners Alf Goldburg and Keith Purton.
Mr Goldburg has attended and assisted community activities, particularly with Noble Park RSL, NPCAF, Springvale Benevolent Society and the Dandenong and District Historical Society.
“During the Depression my father couldn’t buy my lunch,” he said.
“They had soup kitchens. I had soup and a bit of dried bread. That was my lunch.
“St Barnabus Church – that’s where my Christmas presents came from.”
It was experiences like these that drove him to help groups like the Springvale Benevolent Society.
“You’ve got to do those things to help other people,” he said.
“That’s what we’re there for – to help each other out.”
Mr Purton has been part of the local Scouting family for 30 years.
He helped with fundraising – taking bottles to the recycler – maintenance, cleaning, mowing lawns at halls, sausage sizzles, selling raffle tickets, and collecting newspapers and pamphlets.
He was vigilant about removing graffiti and was awarded the President’s award in 1997.
Mr Purton was a fireman on the D3 class steam engines and later became an engine driver, and has lived in Noble Park for almost 50 years.
The Noble Park CWA branch was another nominee in the category.
The Community Award recognised steady leadership in Noble Park – helping, advising and assisting people from the wider community.
U3A volunteers Rob and Louise Wood, and Lyn Bates from the South Eastern Region Polio Support Group were joint recipients.
Mrs Wood runs cooking classes at Paddy O’Donoghue centre and with her husband runs karaoke sessions. Mr Wood also facilitates the History of the Blues course.
Ms Bates has spent 15 years teaching craft at a school each Monday. She organises speakers, outings and newsletters for the polio group.
Volunteer Margaret Weston was a nominee in the category.
Sri Samy won the Cultural and Service Award for promoting cultural endeavours not only in Noble Park but to a wider cultural audience.
She is the Friends of Refugees co-ordinator and has transformed a small group of volunteers into a formidable effective organisation that has become a haven for asylum seekers.
St Anthony’s Primary School and Dandenong West Primary School were nominees for their participation in It’s Just a Postcode which is designed to make students realise they’re not defined by where they live.
The Sporting Achievement Award went to Noble Park Tennis Club secretary Shirley Bradshaw, and the Youth Services Award recognised Deb Kampl’s contribution to the Noble Park Football Club.
Noble Park Rotarian Rex Carter was a nominee for the Youth Services Award.
