YMCA volunteer, Sonora Smart Dodd was raised by her father after her mother died. When she heard about Mother's Day she felt the need to recognise her father's effort in raising her and went to her local Y in Spokane, Washington, USA with the idea. The Y swiftly endorsed the idea and helped it spread, holding the first Father's Day celebration on June 10, 1910.

Today, YMCA Victoria centres conduct an annual Local Community Father of the Year Award campaign. The Victorian Father of the Year Award is chosen from those finalists.