The Phonse Tobin Awards

Volunteer Recognition 

 
The Phonse Tobin Volunteer Awards commenced 26 years ago when the club recognised one volunteer per year the Club’s then regular lunchtime meeting. The event is sponsored by the Tobin Brothers Funeral business in memory of co-founder Phonse Tobin who was the Foundation member of the Rotary Club of North Melbourne.
It has grown to recognising three volunteers at a special evening  meeting where sixty to eighty Rotarians and Community representative come together
2019 recipients
  1. Selba Gondoza Luka from Afri-Auscare for the enormous positive community impact with her work in the African community in Melbourne
  2. Katrien Janssen a volunteer at the North Melbourne Primary School for many years  and in that role she continuous weekly assistance with school activities and fundraisers
  3. Bill Liddy a long-term volunteer in many areas of North Melbourne over 50 years. he was involved at the North Melbourne Football Club, a Cycling Club, the local Community Centre, and lately the historical society where he takes regular tours around the streets of North Melbourne.
At the awards ceremony Des Tobin, Phonse Tobin’s son was particularly pleased to recognise Bill as he could remember being helped by him when was a young footballer.
Each recipient told the audience of their volunteering journey and they were thanked with a framed certificate and a cheque for $500.00 for them to use as they see fit. Over the last 2 years Frances Tobin of Frances Tobin Funerals by Women who has been representing Tobin Brothers has instituted upgrading the evening by having all 3 recipients professionally interviewed with a very high quality video presentation on the night.
A special thanks to club members James Long and Neville Page for their tireless work in organising another successful Awards night.