Article contributed by David Cross
At the Frankston Arts Centre on
Australia Day, our former Chairperson Peter Patterson was named the Frankston
Citizen of the Year 2020 by our Mayor Sandra Mayer. The ceremony was
attended by Frankston’s new CEO Phil Cantillon (who acted as MC), our local Federal
and State politicians, other award winners and more than 100 local residents
who were duly sworn in as Australian citizens.
 |
Mayor Sandra Mayer, Peter Patterson, Lauren Hornsby (2019 COTY) and Cr Colin Hampton
|
Peter was an excellent choice, as
he’s made a significant contribution to the Frankston community over many
years. Apart from chairing the FSFA for 19 years (2001 to 2019), Peter’s
undertakings have included:
·
Chair, Frankston Council’s Environmental Advisory Committee
(2010 – 2013)
· Deputy Chair, Frankston Council’s Economic Development Committee
(2010 – 2012)
·
President, Greater Frankston Business Chamber (2011 – 2016)
·
Chair, Frankston Green Business Network (2010 – 2013)
·
Member, Committee for Greater Frankston (2013 – 2017)
Under Peter’s leadership, the FSFA
was transformed into one of the most innovative and robust sister organisations
in Australia. The Association has won a number of national awards from Sister
Cities Australia (SCA) for its work.
Peter successfully organised and led
a number of delegations of more than 30 people from Frankston on goodwill tours
of Japan. These groups have included Frankston City Council representatives,
students and local community members. In June 2005 Peter arranged through the
Victorian Government for a 20-member student band from Frankston to perform at
the World Expo in Nagoya as part of Victoria Week celebrations.
 |
Back: Tai, Cheryl, Anita & David (Community Event); Peter Patterson (COTY)
Front: Gina Poulos (Senior COTY), Mayor Mayer, Michaela Goggin (Young COTY)
|
As part of his work with the
Association, he has formed a strong alliance with Frankston High School, which
houses the Frankston Susono Japanese Community Garden. Peter is involved in helping
care for the garden, as well as negotiating the use of the school facilities to
host the Japanese Festivals over recent years, which have attracted many
hundreds of people.
 |
| Katherine, Peter and Margaret Patterson |
Out of a population of more than
140,000 residents in Frankston, Peter is a worthy recipient of the Citizen of
the Year for 2020.
