2011 winner
August 24, 2011
The Father's Day Council of Victoria today announced 40 year old Andrew Streader, machine-operator and father of three from Pakenham, as Victoria's 2011 Father of the Year.
Andrew was lovingly nominated by his youngest daughter Hayley, 11, via the local YMCA Community Father of the Year in Cardinia. Hayley was born with neurofibromatosis, a chronic condition which has left her blind in one eye, partially deaf, with a heart in the centre and severe facial deformities caused by constantly growing benign tumours around her nerves.
"My dad always makes me feel wanted in life," the 11 year old student at St Patrick's Primary School in Pakenham, wrote in her nomination. "After my mum died, he stepped up into looking after me. He always cares for me by making sure I'm okay whenever I'm upset and he supports me in my karate….my dad is a very loving father who always puts others first. He is a very hard worker, and he is a very kind man."
A one-time "part time dad" to Hayley and her older brother Lachlan, now 13, until the death from cancer of his wife, Tina, three years ago, Andrew then stepped up into being full-time dad to his two kids.
St Patrick's Primary School Principal Mick O'Brien said that when Tina died, "all of us wondered what would happen to the kids…then Andrew stepped up to the plate in quite a remarkable way. It's been a beautiful thing to see him grow in confidence as a parent and to see the kind of relationship he has with the kids today, and how involved he is at the school in making sure Hayley is supported and gets what she needs, and how well Lachlan is doing."
Andrew's work colleague and supervisor at Oakleigh based manufacturer Aperio, Michael Dleikan, was thrilled to hear the news of Andrew's recognition, "he is truly a deserving recipient".
Life has changed for Andrew and he has found happiness with fiancé Tiana Moore, a friend of his wife. "It's been a hard couple of years for Andrew and the kids since Tina died. Andrew basically went from being a fun dad to a full-time single dad, trying to make sure his kids' needs were met, and they got the grounding in life they needed after such a rough start. He doesn't think he does a very good job, but he does, and Hayley's nomination and belief in him confirms just how much he means to not only Hayley and Lachlan, but also to my daughter Kimberley, 12."
Tiana says Andrew doesn't wrap Hayley up in cotton wool, despite Hayley's condition. "We just treat her as if she's like everyone else. We don't see the disease, we look at the person."
"Andrew is a worthy recipient of this award that recognises and 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," said Father's Day Council Chair Don Parsons. "Andrew represents the many dads out there doing the best they can every day for their children."
Since 1956, the Father's Day Council of Victoria has named a Father of the Year for Victoria, to celebrate and recognise the important role fathers and father-figures play in family life and in the past eight years the YMCA has partnered the Council and co-ordinated the Local Community Father of the Year in every region where there is a YMCA. The Father's Day Council of Victoria considers all Local Community Father of the Year recipients when selecting the Victorian Father of the Year.
It's been a big week for Andrew Streader. On Monday he was named joint local winner of Pakenham's Community Father of the Year award, alongside former champion jockey David Taggart, who suffered a career-ending fall in 2007, and was nominated by his 10 year-old daughter Grace and on Friday he will celebrate a birthday.
"There were many amazing nominations this year, and we congratulate every single nomination for their continued dedication and enrichment of their children's lives," said Mr Parsons
10001000111100001100110011001100110011001111111110101010101000001000100010000000110000001000100010001000111100001100110011001100
|