Devoted Dad and CEO of the Mornington Community Support Centre Ben Smith was awarded the 2024 Victorian Father of the Year honour at a special ceremony at Melbourne Town Hall today.
Presented by YMCA Victoria (the Y) the award has a rich 68 year history celebrating outstanding father figures who have made an impact in their family and community. Past winners include Andrew Gaze and more recently foster father Michael Te Wierik and RAD Dads founder Gabriel Carazo. Some of the past winners including Olympian Steve Moneghetti (2006) attended this year’s award ceremony.
Lord Mayor Nick Reece joined 2002 winner Barry Novy OAM in announcing the winner of this year’s award.
Mornington local Ben Smith was honoured for his community advocacy and deep love for his family. He shared his motto: “We’re not built to live alone.” Every day Ben's team hosts meals and support for those in need. The team strives to understand each person’s challenges and support them towards finding stability and long-term solutions.
The current financial climate has seen more people through the doors than ever before.
At the same time Ben is promoting a local documentary “The Ranch” about a vacant motel turned into a temporary crisis accommodation - which captures some of the stories of the more than 700 individuals and families on the peninsula experiencing homelessness.
Those who know Ben say spending time with him is uplifting. He’s encouraged hundreds of locals to volunteer their time and support those most in need on the Mornington Peninsula.
People want to be part of something meaningful. When they feel like they belong and can make a difference, they are eager to get involved, Ben explains.
As devoted father to a lively five-year-old daughter, Ben credits fatherhood as teaching him the most about the value of connection.
“I’ve learned that being there for my family, being actively involved in their lives, is incredibly important. In family we rely on each other, and I believe that community is no different. That’s the same approach I bring to my work at the Mornington Community Support Centre. to be involved and create spaces where people feel supported and valued.”
When we invest in each other, when we take the time to connect and build relationships, we all benefit, Ben says.
Y volunteer Barry Novy said the judging panel was blown away by this year’s nominations and that Ben was an incredibly worthy winner.