A man who has been instrumental to a program improving men’s health and another who has been an inspiration to many following an accident three years ago have been named Bendigo’s citizen and young citizen of the year.
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City of Greater Bendigo mayor Margaret O’Rourke announced Andrew Reid and Jontee Brown had received the city’s honours this morning outside Bendigo Town Hall.
About Andrew Reid, 2018 citizen of the year
The 2018 citizen of the year title is something of an early birthday present for Andrew Reid, who turns 44-years-old on Wednesday.
“I’m very humbled … it’s a terrific honour. I do most of my work out Eaglehawk-way and I’m a Borough-boy through and through. To be named citizen of the year for Bendigo, it’s tremendous that it’s been recognised,” he said.
Mr Reid first cut his teeth volunteering with the Eaglehawk Football Netball Club 30 years ago.
“When I stopped playing and coaching I went to the administration side and we made a concerted effort to involve the club more in the community and (make it) a bigger leader,” he said.
As an active member of the Eaglehawk Development Group he has supported a number of organisations including Empowering Eaglehawk and the Eaglehawk YMCA.
He also volunteers with the California Gully Primary School breakfast club, which ensures students start every day with a healthy meal and an understanding of good eating habits.
Mr Reid helped facilitate a number of programs focusing on improving men’s health and using sport to produce good mental health outcomes.
“We partnered up with the Bendigo Regional YMCA on that one. They were making a push for men’s health and there wasn’t anything out at the Eaglehawk side of town related to Men’s Health Week,” he said.
“So we developed a 12-week health program. We got normal blokes and said ‘preferably, if you’re not doing nothing, get involved’.
“Often we’d counteract the physical health side of things with a few beers afterwards, but we had a bit of a talk.”
Mr Reid said everyone felt the benefits and the Peter Krenz Leisure Centre ended up catering for participants in their gym.
About Jontee Brown, 2018 young citizen of the year
2018 young citizen of the year Jontee Brown was on an overseas school excursion three years ago when he fell into a sinkhole.
He was to be diagnosed with reactive arthritis in his left knee. It was caused by a cut which then became infected.
One effect triggered by Mr Brown’s reactive arthritis was ankylosing spondylitis in his lower spine. That meant he managed his disease with the use of crutches as well as a wheelchair for long trips.
As well as coaching junior football and basketball teams, Mr Brown travels to schools delivering messages of hope and inspiration.
“I try to get out to as many local schools as I can … For me it’s about getting out and talking about what happened to me and how I’ve overcome that,” he said.
“It’s about trying to look at the positive side of things because, at the end of the day, if you are not positive about horrible situations it’s no good for anyone.”
In May 2016 Mr Brown took up wheelchair basketball, representing the Victorian team as captain.
He recently represented Australia at a world competition in Canada where his under-23 team won bronze.
Last year he won the Michelson Bendigo Sports Star award. He is a student at La Trobe University, which recently honoured him for his efforts on the basketball court.