Invited to Government House for a presentation, Bright’s Peter Hopper assumed he would receive some small community honour.
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“I didn’t think anything about it but I was on the end of the line and then as they were going through presenting the awards it suddenly became obvious that I was the last in line,” he said.
“I started to think, ‘Oh God, am I getting the big gong?’, and sure enough I did.”
Mr Hopper, now 75, was named the Victorian Senior of the Year in 2015, recognised for his extensive volunteer work.
Nominations for this year’s awards remain open until July 20 and Mr Hopper encourages people to put names forward.
“The awards are just a recognition, not so much of the individual but of all the people who do this,” he said,
“I don’t see myself as anything special, there are plenty of other people in Bright alone who do as much or even more than me.”
The annual awards acknowledge the time, skills and support older Victorians have given to the community since turning 60 as well as businesses that create age-friendly environments.
Along with the Victorian Senior of the Year, other awards focus on promoting multiculturalism, health and active living, veterans and senior achievers.
For nomination forms and more information go to seniorsonline.vic.gov.au/festivalsandawards.
Once a primary school principal and special education teacher, Mr Hopper and his wife Terri, also an active volunteer, retired to Bright in 1997.
Education still remains a focus, with Mr Hopper helping refugees with their English, particularly a Sri Lankan man who had struggled for years with the language.
“He sat the test about 20 times and finally passed it in February,” Mr Hopper said.
“It was wonderful because he’d been failing it by half a point or the like, so many times.”
A longtime member of the Alpine Health community and health advisory group, Mr Hopper has also volunteered at Bright P-12 College, Bright’s historical society and U3A, where he helps to teach “would you believe, Russian”.
In his working life, Mr Hopper had taught children with intellectual and emotional difficulties.
“Often they’re in despair and you feel a personal sense of accomplishment when you see them blossom,” he said.
“I think I’ve carried that into the community work that I do. I just enjoy helping people, I suppose.
“Certainly the older generation are a resource to our community.
“Part of it is keeping yourself active and keeping yourself healthy and try and live a positive, good life.”
