Gelman wins the 2011 Sir John Monash Award
Veteran Victorian educator and volunteer Sylvia Gelman was awarded the Jewish community’s highest honour last night, the General Sir John Monash Award.
Chin Tan, Sylvia Gelman and John Searle
The prestigious award is bestowed on an outstanding individual who has rendered exceptional service over many years.
“This is one of the most precious moments of my life,” said Mrs Gelman upon accepting the award to a standing ovation.
John Searle, president of the JCCV, said Mrs Gelman epitomised all the wonderful attributes of a volunteer and paid tribute to all those who give of their skills and time to volunteer within the Jewish community. “Without the volunteers, the organisations would grind to a halt,” he acknowledged.
Mrs Gelman received her award as part of the JCCV Community Recognition Awards held annually at Monash University’s Alexander Theatre.
More than 30 individuals from a wide range of organisations were honoured at the awards evening, which also featured musical interludes by Leibler Yavneh College Youth Ensemble and classical pianist Eidit Golder.
Chin Tan, Chair of the Victorian Multicultural Commission addressed the event and paid tribute to the volunteers, who “make our society a little bit brighter and a little bit better”. Members of the audience were particularly impressed that he shared an anecdote from the Talmud – probably the first time the Jewish community had learned Talmud from a Chinese man, Mr Tan joked.
Guests of honour included David Southwick MP, Elizabeth Miller MP, Commissioners from the Victorian Multicultural Commission, Glen Eira Mayor Margaret Esakoff and Deputy Mayor Jamie Hyams.
