A Torquay man is being acknowledged for his work in the community and support of multicultural families and children.
Peter Cribb received a Council on the Ageing (COTA) Award at the Victorian Senior of the Year Awards at Government House on Thursday, October 24.
Mr Cribb said he was “pleasantly surprised” to receive the award and that helping people was second nature.
“I was deeply honoured and got a tad embarrassed because I know other people that are just as deserving,” he said.
“What meant the most to me was my children’s response…and their comments about me and what I’ve done were terrific.
“I’m no longer actively working, so it exercises the brain and there is no better feeling than fellowship that you obtain through a project that you work with people to meet a common end.”
Mr Cribb has volunteered across many different organisations across the state and offered his experience as a mathematician and lecturer to help families from diverse backgrounds.
“My wife and I have a connection with a girl’s orphanage in Sri Lanka and they asked if we could supply a playground,” he said.
“We got one from Leopold with the help of the Geelong council, and that was about eight years ago, and since then, we’ve sent more than 200 playgrounds to many countries overseas.
“If you stand on the playground with about 150 kids swarming onto the playground after it’s been officially opened for them, and they’ve never seen a playground before, it’s tear bringing.”
A COTA Victoria Senior Achiever Award acknowledges the significant contributions to communities across the state, with Mr Cribb among 10 people to receive the award.
