Li Cunxin named Australian Father of the Year 2009 

International ballet dancer turned stockbroker and author of best-selling autobiography, ‘Mao’s Last Dancer’, Li Cunxin (pronounced Shuin-Sing) has been awarded the 2009 Shepherd Centre Australian Father of the Year. The award was announced by the Australian Father’s Day Council and The Shepherd Centre today in recognition of Li’s remarkable record as an inspirational father and his ongoing commitment to his children and family.

The father of three emerged from absolute poverty in Mao’s communist China to become one of the world’s best male dancers before shifting to the finance sector so that he could better support his wife Mary and children Sophie (20), Tom (16) and Bridie (11).  He has overcome significant challenges as a father and has drawn on the inspiration and values of his own dad in overcoming remarkable adversity.

“My values as a father and a family man have been passed down from generation to generation.  I feel so privileged to receive this award and regard it as recognition of the important contribution that all Australian fathers make to the wellbeing of our children,” said Mr Cunxin.

Li’s daughter Sophie (who is an Ambassador for Hearing Awareness Week) was diagnosed at 18 months with profound hearing loss and received a cochlear implant when she was four years old.  With her father’s strong support and guidance she has gone on to finish in the top five per cent of the state in her school certificate and is now completing a Bachelor of Environment at the University of Melbourne.

“My children and family are integral in my life.  We have faced many challenges together but nothing that determination, perseverance and love from parents can’t overcome; Sophie is a leading example of this.  I can’t emphasise enough how important the role of the parent is and how vital it is for our children to have our full support and encouragement.”

The Shepherd Centre CEO, Anthea Green, is delighted about the selection and says he is an extraordinary father to represent dads across the country.

“Li is a fantastic role model for fathers and parents around Australia.  His is a remarkable story of fatherly love and support underpinned by an unwavering commitment to his children.  His achievements are certainly an inspiration to the fathers at The Shepherd Centre who, like Li, strive to help their deaf or hearing impaired children thrive in the general community,” said Ms Green.

As part of the Australian Father of the Year initiative the Shepherd Centre is calling for donations for their inaugural Father’s Day Appeal, encouraging families to reach out and support the hard work and contribution of dads in the community.

Sergeant Chris Cotter was voted NSW Community Father of the Year 2009

NSW Police Sergeant and former Youth Liaison Officer for Macquarie Fields, Chris Cotter, has been awarded the 2009 Cumberland-Courier NSW Community Father of the Year Award in conjunction with the Shepherd Centre’s Australian Father of the Year Award.

Chris Cotter’s three boys Joshua (15), Brandon (11) and Cameron (7) nominated their father for his love, compassion and dedication as a dad.  They are the best of buddies and love spending time in the pool and playing games around the house.  Chris is from an Anglo-Indian background where family values are imperative.

“This award is a great achievement for me. I feel privileged to receive an award that endorses the hard work of fathers in the community and encourages the importance of family values.  I have always given my upmost as a dad and to get nominated by my sons was very special.” said Sgt Cotter.

Sgt Cotter developed the Camp IMPACT (Impressing Milestones, Police Alliance Community Trust) Program after the Macquarie Field riots in 2005, helping to improve the lives of young male teenagers in the area.

“Through my work with youth in the community, I have witnessed the hardships faced by families.  A strong family structure is essential in the development of young people and the influence of a father figure is most important.  I encourage all parents, especially fathers, to take time out to spend quality time with their children,” said Sgt Cotter.

As well as coaching, attending his boys sporting and educational events, Chris has found time to study and complete his Bachelor of Policing in 2005.  The knowledge gained through studying crime prevention, allows him to continue his work with youth in schools, developing programs that target issues such as bullying and cyber crime.

The Shepherd Centre CEO, Anthea Green, is delighted about the selection and says they couldn’t have chosen a more admirable father to represent dads in the community.

“The NSW Community Father of the Year Award is based on a fathers support and guidance as a dad as well as his contribution to the community.  Chris’ hard work and dedication in the community and as a father is inspirational, especially for fathers at The Shepherd Centre who, like Chris, devote so much time and energy into their children,” said Ms Green.

As part of the Australian Father of the Year initiative The Shepherd Centre is calling for donations for their inaugural Father’s Day Appeal, encouraging families to reach out and support financially the hard work and contribution of dads who have children with hearing impairments and need the therapy services of The Shepherd Centre.  This money helps those families to support their child into the speaking world.