Forever the team player, veteran West Coast Eagles defender David Wirrpanda saw his success as the WA Young Australian of the Year, as vindication for the network of supporters behind his work for the foundation which bears his name.
A community leader in every sense, the David Wirrpanda Foundation has implemented some outstanding programs, both in remote and country regions of Western Australia as well as in the city, and on Saturday night Wirrpanda won the prestigious award.
He will now represent the state in the Young Australian of the Year Awards, which will be announced in Canberra on Australia Day.
While delighted to win the WA title, Wirrpanda saw greater benefit for the team behind the David Wirrpanda Foundation, hoping that personal recognition might have wide-reaching benefits with much-needed funding support, rather than in his own glory.
“I suppose from my point of view I didn’t really look into a lot,” Wirrpanda said of the awards. “Finding out I was nominated was pretty exciting and then to go ahead and win it in Western Australia is a massive honour, regardless of having that accolade.
“It is important that with the foundation and the programs we have in place, besides the attention we receive as a result of this, we are very keen to develop those programs and have an impact. It goes to show that there is a lot of awareness around the programs in the foundation and the work that I do. There are a lot of people behind the scenes who are continuously helping me to improve in all those aspects.
“It will be an exciting experience going to Canberrra and listening to the winners on Australia Day. Just to be there will be a great experience and something well-treasured.
“The biggest challenge for the foundation in the last four years has been gaining the necessary funding and I would like to think now that we have this important recognition it will open doors for us. We are keen to speak with the State and Federal governments and that’s something we would like to address over the next couple of months.”
