AN educator of 50 years has been named Eaglehawk's citizen of the year.
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John Pearce arrived in Eaglehawk in 1972 as a teacher and has gone on to become a wellbeing mentor for students as well as supporting the Borough in sport and community events.
For the last eight years he has been a transition support worker helping for years 6 students prepare for high school and their year 7 studies.
Mr Pearce formed the Eaglehawk Volleyball Club in the 1970s and has volunteered at the Carols by Candlelight at Canterbury Gardens and for the Dahlia and Arts Festival street parade for a number of years.
He said he hoped to celebrate all things Eaglehawk with the award.
"I'm chuffed but I must admit I think there are a lot more people probably more deserving," he said.
"I got here in 1972. I nominated schools throughout central Victorian and Eaglehawk was number three, so I was happy to get here.
"Straight away, I found it an engaging place to live. The people and kids - the whole environment - I felt at home at as soon as I got there."
Mr Pearce said there were countless Eaglehawk residents who had made an impression on him over the years including former mayor Lola Miller and his close friend Frank Roberts.
"I just kept coming across great people in the community," he said.
"Lola Miller was a PE teacher, she was mayor of Eaglehawk and Victorian of the year in the 1980s - she had this energy and vision.
"(Frank) is a guy whose kids I taught in the '70s. He became a close friend and passed away 15 months ago. He taught me so much. He was a close friend. He had amazing wisdom and is one of reasons I stayed around as long as I have."
John's role as student welfare officer and transition worker have been a passion for John. He said he spent of a lot of his own time visiting families.
"I have never seen school as a 9am to 4pm, four-terms-a-year thing," he said. "I found the wellbeing role gave me more understanding. When you meet families in their own home, they are more relaxed and open and it is more respectful.
"The resources that are available in terms supporting people - some people find it easy to access, others don't - so sometimes you need to walk beside people to guide or mentor in the help they need.
"I almost retired six or seven years ago but funding became available for this transition support program. One of the main issues I come up against is anxiety.
"With the pandemic, I reckon there is a pandemic of anxiety right through the world. Trying to ease that is my number one role."
In founding the Eaglehawk Volleyball Club, he attempted two world records - one with four teams combining to play non-stop for seven days and another involving two teams playing for 54 hours' straight.
"Our first team together in 1973 and it did develop rapidly," John said. "The world record attempts were just brilliant experiences.
"(The club) peaked at 36 teams including staff-student teams. which made for a great rapport and relationship. Volleyball is a sport where everyone is equal. You have the opportunity to develop great teamwork, build your strength and rely on teammates."
Eaglehawk's Australia Day celebrations have been cancelled. A citizen of the year presentation ceremony will be held at a later date.
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