Since 1956, the Father’s Day Council of Victoria has named a Father of the Year, to celebrate and recognise the important role of fathers in family life. This important, annual event celebrates the significant role fathers and male role models play in our community and acknowledges that ordinary people can have an extraordinary impact on children's lives.

In the past, the Father's Day Council of Victoria recognised two recipients, one a high profile public figure and a community recipient. In 2009 the Council decided that community fathers along with public figures would be eligible for the Award, recognising that a father's role in a child's life is enormous no matter who you are.

The YMCA awards a Local Community Father of the Year in every region where there is a YMCA. The Father's Day Council of Victoria then considers all Local Community Father of the Year recipients when selecting the Victorian Father of the Year.