PENOLA sportsman David Marcus will be recognised for his unwavering community commitment at this weekend’s Australia Day ceremony.
With more than five decades of voluntary work, the long-time tennis and badminton player is well known for his contribution to the improvements of McCorquindale Park.
Mr Marcus, who also serves on the town’s tennis and football committees, has been involved with sports since the age of 14.
Although he claims he has “never been brilliant at sports”, Mr Marcus has been an active member behind the scenes.
“I find that sport is a big thing which allows you to mix in with the community more,” he said.
“I did focus more on sporting clubs than other committees and was away from home quite a bit but I have enjoyed it.”
For the last 48 years, Mr Marcus has been a member of the Monbulla Tennis Club as a player and in an executive capacity.
His roles have included president, team captain, and the dual role of treasurer/secretary – which he still holds today.
Mr Marcus has also held the president and secretary roles of the Penola and District Tennis Association.
Each year, he organises and completes the majority of the clubs’ yearly pruning fundraising activity, which enabled tennis courts to be resurfaced.
Recently, Mr Marcus has been an active member for the McCorquindale Park Committee as the Monbulla Tennis Club representative and served on the sub-committee for the development of the women’s changerooms at the complex.
Mr Marcus praised McCorquindale Park as the highlight of Penola.
“It is a fantastic facility because it really involves all the sporting clubs and brings them together,” he said.
“The park development was all done as a community and it was a massive job.”
Mr Marcus said volunteering provided him with a unique opportunity to get to know people from a range of backgrounds and ages.
“You can go anywhere and know someone,” he said.
“You also make a lot of fantastic friends and can mix with people of all ages which I think is important.”
The Australia Day ceremony will take place on January 26 and is hosted at the Penola Memorial Park starting from 9am.
Penola Lions Club will provide breakfast for attendees from 8am.
