Dads so dear- Casey Leisure Facilities Manager Matt Spencer, Mark Hutchings, Hans and Stephen Bell and Casey ARC Centre Manager Wes Hurrey. 69590

By Danielle Galvin
CASEY dads Stephen Bell and Mark Hutchings coyly accepted the joint Community YMCA Father of the Year award last week.
Children were invited to nominate their fathers by drawing or writing about them in the Casey YMCA awards.
“It was my son’s work,” Mr Bell said about the nomination.
Eight-year-old Hans described his dad as a great man.
“He means a huge lot to me.”
Mr Bell admitted that he was embarrassed that he won the award although it was lovely to be nominated. “I was completely unaware that he had nominated me, it came out of left field!”
The Narre Warren father and son duo play sport together most weekends.
“Not a weekend goes by where we’re not outside playing football, cricket. Every weekend even if it’s raining or hailing, and even in the dark,” he said.
Berwick father Mark Hutchens said it was encouraging to know that his 10-year-old daughter Helena was proud of him.
“It’s fantastic, I really appreciate it. It’s a good foundation for us going into her teen years,” he said.
With Father’s Day around the corner, Mr Hutchens said the award was “better than any presents.”
In her nomination, Helena drew a picture of her dad and described him as friendly and awesome.
Area manager for Casey ARC Wes Hurrey said having a good father was priceless.
“The difference that a good role model can make in a young person’s life is tremendous,” he said.