DEVOTED Dad and CEO of the Mornington Community Support Centre Ben Smith was awarded the 2024 Victorian Father of the Year honour at a special ceremony at Melbourne Town Hall on Friday (30 August). The Mornington resident was honoured for his community advocacy and deep love for his family.
Every day, Smith’s team hosts meals and provides support for those in need. The team strives to understand each person’s challenges and support them towards finding stability and long-term solutions. The current financial climate has seen more people through the doors at Mornington Community Support Centre than ever before. “I am sincerely grateful to be accepting this award as Victorian Father of the Year, and in doing so I recognise that each and every father figure trying their best in life deserves such recognition,” said Smith.
He is currently promoting a documentary “The Ranch” about a vacant motel turned into a temporary crisis accommodation – which captures some of the stories of the more than 700 individuals and families on the peninsula experiencing homelessness.
“People want to be part of something meaningful. When they feel like they belong and can make a difference, they are eager to get involved,” said Smith.
As devoted father to a lively five-year-old daughter, Smith credits fatherhood as teaching him the most about the value of connection.
First published in the Mornington News – 3 September 2024
