THE secretary of the Friends of Wallace Reserve, David Cross, has been named 2016 Frankston City Citizen of the Year.
Mr Cross joined Senior Citizen of the Year Alan Quaife at a special Australia Day citizenship ceremony last Tuesday (26 January) at Frankston Arts Centre to receive a commemorative certificate from Frankston mayor Cr James Dooley.
“David Cross and Alan Quaife have given so much to our community and I’m proud to recognise their selfless achievements as we honour them as our 2016 Citizens of the Year,” Cr Dooley said.
“They are inspiring and courageous and lead by example, displaying our Australian values and the importance of community spirit, volunteering and giving support to others throughout Frankston.”
Mr Cross, 56, is an active member of the Rotary Club of Frankston and Foundation and also works with Guides, Scouts, disability groups and school councils alongside his conservation work at Wallace Reserve.
“It’s a great surprise and is humbling. It’s an acknowledgement and award for a team effort from so many people who help and support and mentor me in my volunteer roles around Frankston,” he said.
Senior Citizen of the Year Alan Quaife, 70, has devoted his life to helping those most in need such as refugees, the homeless, the mentally ill and addicts.
The former Collingwood and Fitzroy VFL player decided to establish the Reclink Dolphins Football Team in 2014 to give the disadvantaged a chance to improve their lot in life.
“I felt very overwhelmed, it’s sensational and recognition of what we volunteers and the team do,” he said.
Mr Quaife says the Reclink team “changes the lives” of the players “and gives them goals in life itself”.
Many have had a bad upbringing and Mr Quaife says they often “take drugs to forget and get hooked”.
“All anyone wants is friendship, love and acceptance. That’s what they need.”
The Recklink coach says he notices team members’ personalities change “and they begin to laugh”.
“It’s like a family,” Mr Quaife said.
The 70-year-old is also involved in cricket, basketball and ten-pin bowling games for Reclink.
The Colour of Hope exhibition, an event giving disadvantaged youth access to the arts and a chance to receive professional coaching and public recognition, hosted by Life Gate’s Reverend Angel Roldan and Pastor Ulli Rothstein de Roldan was named the 2016 Community Event of the Year.
At this year’s Australia Day citizenship ceremony in Frankston 96 adults and eight children from 30 different countries became Australian citizens.
“The Frankston City community is proud and excited to welcome our new Australian citizens to our municipality and we embrace them and wish them well,” Cr Dooley said.
First published in the Frankston Times – 1 February 2016
The original version of this article stated David Cross is the president of the Friends of Wallace Reserve. Mr Cross is in fact the secretary of the group and was the Friends of Wallace Reserve’s inaugural president in 2005 before becoming secretary in 2009. The article was amended on 1 February 2016.
