By Charlene Macaulay
A self-confessed sports nut has been recognised in today’s Australia Day honours.
Darren Hellmann has been honoured with a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his service to the Wyndham community through a range of sporting clubs.
The 52-year-old Tarneit resident first got involved as a player with the Hoppers Crossing Cricket Club in 1985 and soon joined the committee, serving as president between 1999 and 2000 before being inducted as a life member in 2004.
He has also served on the committees, and been president, at the Hoppers Crossing Sports Club, Hoppers Crossing Junior Netball Association and Hoppers Crossing Netball Club.
Most recently, he became the business development manager at Werribee Football Club, where he had been named club person of the year in 2014.
Mr Hellmann was also a member of the Werribee Apex Club for 20 years before it folded.
Mr Hellmann said he had been shocked to receive the letter with his Member of the Order of Australia nomination.
“You don’t really become a volunteer to be recognised, you do it because it’s the right thing to do and you want to help people,” he said.
“I’ve received life memberships and I’ve been recognised for what I do, but this is sort of over and above.
“I think people underestimate how important sporting clubs are in the fabric of society in relation to building relationships, getting kids off the streets and playing sport, and interaction with other people from other cultures.”
Mr Hellmann, who will celebrate this Australia Day by having a group of family and friends over, will officially receive the award at a ceremony later this year.
