Village values- Joe Rechichi who has racked up 35 years of volunteering work was named City of Greater Dandenong Citizen of the Year 2012. 76836 Picture: Stewart Chambers

By Nicole Williams
WHEN Joe Rechichi describes his life, he leads with the year he arrived in Australia, quickly followed by meeting the love of his life and then he begins the long list of volunteering efforts.
The Springvale grandfather was named City of Greater Dandenong Citizen of the Year 2012 on Australia Day for his 35 years of community service.
Joe started volunteering as a teenager in his ‘little village in Italy’ and continued his good work on Australian soil when he migrated with his family in 1964.
“Being in a small village, you help one another – it’s part of the parcel,” the 65-year-old said.
“You enjoy what you do and people need it. That’s what we’re there for.”
St Joseph’s parish was Joe’s first volunteering effort in Australia, which was followed by the Springvale Benevolent Society where he has helped for 24 years, including the last eight as president.
In this role, Joe co-ordinates volunteer home visits, overseas the organisation and delivers food to around 30 needy families each month.
He is also heavily involved in the Springvale Italian Citizens Club, where he keeps the club running smoothly.
“I don’t know where I get the time from,” he said.
“But the Benevolent Society, St Joseph’s, and the Italian Citizens Club – I couldn’t leave them behind.”
The driving force behind his years of dedication was mostly his wife Teresa Joe said, but also good friends Daryl Skews and the late Wes Eggleston.
“You would look at them and say, ‘they do marvelous work’,” he said.
“They encouraged me to push myself and my wife pushed me – I’m not afraid to say that behind every good man is a better woman.”
Despite being nominated for the local honour three times, he was surprised to win this year’s accolade.
“It put me over the moon, I did not expect it,” he said.
“I was very touched that people take notice because you don’t think about it; you don’t do it for a gold medal.”