THE efforts of community crusaders will be acknowledged at this year’s John H. Kerr Community Services Award.

Footscray Rotary Club is calling on the public to nominate a local hero for the annual award, which is sponsored by the Star News Group and will be announced at a gala event in December.

Organiser Des Stayches said the award was an opportunity for people to gain recognition for community works that might otherwise go unrewarded.

“It’s a special award that goes to an extremely special and worthwhile individual each year,” Mr Stayches said. “It’s something that we think very carefully about before making our decision. We don’t just give it to anyone, because that would diminish the merit of the award.”

A long-standing rotary member, Mr Kerr established the awards in 1976. Since his death in 1995, Rotarians have continued the award to honour the memory of the highly respected community man.

Mr Stayches said the club had so far received seven nominations but was hoping for more.

“Anyone can nominate someone who is making a difference in the Footscray community, whether it be in church groups or sports clubs, or any community field,” he said. “We want to hear about anyone who is serving the community on a voluntary basis, especially someone who has been doing it for a number of years.”

A nomination form will appear in next week’s edition of Star.