Spirit of Moonee Valley awards

Bruce Cameron OAM

Bruce worked with Rotary East Keilor and LaTrobe University to build a schoolhouse and community hall for an isolated community at Donydji in the Northern Territory. He has been involved in the Moonee Valley Foundation for 25 years encouraging young people in Moonee Valley to pursue excellence. He also taught a course for tradespeople in small business.

Joe Molluso

Joe has owned and operated J&D Hardware for the past 22 years. There is not a handyman or resident in East Keilor that does not know "Joe from the Hardware". Joe is known for his excellent customer service, problem solving and hardware knowledge.

Greg Francis, Marisa Bronkhurst, Ruth Kyne, Gavin Dovey from Special Olympics Melbourne West

The Special Olympics Melbourne West team are volunteers who assist predominately young people with intellectual disabilities and who live in the western region of Melbourne. Since their beginning, they have organised activities including: golf, swimming and tenpin bowling. They are now working on developing opportunities for dance sport, athletics, basketball and tennis.

Ray Micallef

Ray has been involved with Avondale Heights Football Club for 15 years.  He is currently the club’s administrator. Ray has been the driving force in improving the facilities for the players, which included an extension to the club rooms. Once the extension was built he organised a working bee with some of the parents to complete it including painting a part of the existing building.

Donald Tucker

Since retiring Donald has thrown his energy into volunteering at the Keilor Hostel for the Aged.  He is also a Board Member and regularly takes residents on outings as a driver of the Hostel’s bus.  Donald is also a long-term member of the Keilor East Rotary Club.

Kelby Chamberlain

Kelby is a member of the S.M.I.T.H. Theatre Group. Kelby regularly organises fundraisers for S.M.I.T.H, and through his leadership he encourages confidence and self belief in its members. During his spare time, Kelby also runs holiday programs for young people.

Carlos Elhawli

Carlos is said to be the happiest shop owner in Centreway. He regularly donates food and vouchers to local schools and pre-schools for fundraising. Carlos is also known for donating food to local families who are trying to get through a tough period.

Martin Fitzsimmons

Martin is a volunteer driver at Doutta Galla Community Health, where he picks up a group of older residents who have experienced long-term mental illness, to attend “Getting Together Group” at the Boomerang Club in Moonee Ponds. Martin’s assistance ensures this group is less isolated and has greater opportunity for social connections.

Tim Kelly

As Principal of St Monica’s Primary School, Tim Kelly, St Monica’s Primary School was approached by GoKids, a service for children with disabilities. They were in desperate need of specialised equipment. Tim oversaw a fundraising campaign at St Monica’s that resulted in $9,500 being raised.

Dr Minh Huu Lam

Dr Lam is a tireless volunteer, working to raise community funding to assist children in Vietnam to have much needed medical care. He volunteers as a health advisor to the Indochinese Elderly Refugees Association and also works with the Lions Club.

Steve Taylor and Shane O’Loughlin

As Victoria Police Officers both Steve and Shane were first on the scene in May 2010, when a man tried to highjack a 14 ton bus during peak hour from Essendon Railway Station. The officers risked their lives to protect people waiting for buses.