Albion resident Noel Jeacle was recognised for his outstanding work for the community at a ceremony last week. 70878 Picture: JOE MASTROIANNI
BY NATALIE GALLENTI
SOMETIMES through grief comes strength.
That is what happened for Noel Jeacle.
When Mr Jeacle’s son was dying of cancer in 1985, the Albion resident was comforted by workers from Mercy Palliative Care.
They spoke to him and listened to his and his wife’s concerns and they consoled him during the hardest period of his life.
Mr Jeacle admits he would have found it almost impossible to get through it without their help.
So when the local parish priest called on one of his longest serving parishioners to collect money for the organisation, he was more than happy to do it.
Now 25 years on, the 79-year-old has decided it’s time to hang up the boots, but not before he was recognised with an award ceremony at Werribee Mercy Hospital last week.
“It was one way to repay them for all the help they had offered to us,” he said.
“It’s very important to have counsellors to talk to at a time like that.”
For more than two decades Mr Jeacle has called on the community to give generously to the groups’ annual fundraising appeal.
He has travelled across the western suburbs telling his story and asking people to put their hands in their pockets.
“I’ve always had the gift of the gab, so I’ve been able to get the message across,” he said.
“Hearing my personal experience makes people more willing to give. They know I’m speaking from the heart.”
As for the award ceremony last week, the proud great-grandfather said it was something he wasn’t expecting, but it was always nice to be recognised for your achievements.
Mr Jeacle is the subject of this week’s Pride in Brimbank, a series Star launched to recognise the stories of everyday heroes who take pride in their community.
If you know someone that fits the bill contact Star on 9933 4814.
