This Award was created by the Club in 2004 to recognize the contribution of men or women 60 Years or older who give outstanding service in a voluntary capacity to older people.
The 2009/2010 recipient of this award, Andreina Khoury, was born in 1927 in Asiago in Italy. The Family migrated to Broken Hill in 1936.
In 1950 soon after Andreina was married she and her husband Freddie moved to Coburg and then in 1958 to Fawkner. They have 3 children aged 58,48, 43 and 6 grandchildren from 13 to 26years. Freddie and Andreina celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary on January 4th 2010
In the early1950’s more and more migrants arrived in Melbourne. At that time there were no settlements services, translation or interpretive services available. Andreina was soon involved in the provision of a wide range of assistance
Her care has also included other community members and pastoral care and counselling at two parishes:- St Mark’s Fawkner and St Paul’s Coburg
Andreina’s motivation to help comes from her faith and a strong compassion for the well being of others. Her husband and children’s support has been crucial for her ongoing and extensive volunteer involvement.
Andreina is a coordinator of volunteer visitation services for CO AS.IT.and manages a team of 8 volunteers. She has been a volunteer visitor for 25 years. Presently Adreina is a volunteer at Coburg Private nursing home, Anzac Lodge (North Coburg), St Basil’s Nursing Home and Hostel (Fawkner) and Karringal Manor.
She coordinates an Italian Singing Group involving Karringal Nursing Home Residents and Volunteers. Andreina visits the Nursing Homes once a week.
She is a bright and cheerful person who brings joy to all the residents especially to the Italian residents with whom she spends her time. Often these Residents speak little English and have special needs that from a nursing perspective are difficult to meet. With Andreina’s help these residents are able to converse in their own language about issues that relate specifically to them and their culture. As a result the nurses can provide appropriate care for all the Residents.
Andreina is a woman of great integrity and compassion who has given over 50 years of voluntary service to enhance the quality of life of many in the Italian Community. She continues to serve her Community and is much loved and respected.
The Rotary Club of Melbourne considers her to be a most worthy recipient of The Seniors Award.
She epitomizes the Principle of “Service Above Self”.
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