JEFF Pekin has dedicated his life to helping others play the sport he loves.
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The Horsham Table Tennis Association secretary is one of two people to receive the 2019 Horsham Rural City Council Citizen of the Year award.
Mr Pekin shares the honour with Maree Thompson.
Mr Pekin was born in Geelong but has lived in Horsham most his life. He was nominated for the honour by a friend.
“I really don’t know the reasons why; the lady who nominated me must have thought that I do a few good things in the community,” he said.
“I’m just very proud and honoured to be a recipient of the joint award. We’re very fortunate in Horsham that we have so many people who put into community things.”
Mr Pekin and his wife Bev have dedicated their lives to helping people with disabilities play sport. About 20 years ago, Warracknabeal resident Peter Hart asked Horsham Tennis Club if it would take over a tournament for people in the Wimmera living with a disability.
“Then 13 years ago, Peter was getting older and he asked me to run the program, which I took on. With the support of many other people, we have kept it going,” he said.
“For over 20 years, Bev and I have been involved in working with people with disabilities through coaching table tennis.”
Mr Pekin is also involved with the Wimmera Whippets Football Netball Club and is the Wimmera Regional Sports Assembly chairman.
He started playing table tennis in 1970 and said participation rates had grown over the years.
“I enjoy playing it personally, but I also enjoy helping others,” he said.
“I think participation rates will grow now we have the new facility at the old Italian Clubrooms. Now we can showcase what we can do and build on what’s already there.
“It’s going to help the conditions that people have to play in, especially the guys with disabilities. It’s a great sport for people of all abilities to play. Last year our youngest member was nine, while our oldest member was 74.”
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