Euroa father of four and grandfather of two Chris Berry, 48, was today named the 2010 Father of the Year for Victoria by the Father's Day Council of Victoria.

Chris, who is "first to arrive and last to go home" at his local football and netball club, and is a respite carer for a child with Down syndrome, was nominated by one of his children, Aimee, 21.

In her nomination she wrote: "Everyone should be so lucky to have a dad like ours. He's always supported all of us 100% in our dreams - even when they're a little crazy - and he'd do anything for us, anytime."

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.