Ray Mawson taught judo to children at the Fremantle PCYC for 45 years and was recently recognised for his dedicated service.
Camera IconRay Mawson taught judo to children at the Fremantle PCYC for 45 years and was recently recognised for his dedicated service. Credit: Supplied/Martin Kennealey

Humble hero honoured

Staff ReporterFremantle Gazette

The Palmyra resident started teaching children at the Fremantle PCYC in 1970, and what followed was 45 years of dedication to the centre and its youth.

Mr Mawson was recently recognised for his contribution with a Dedicated Service Award at the JP Stratton Awards.

He said he had loved every minute of his 45 years teaching judo at the centre.

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‘It was something you could always keep learning about and it was always very fulfilling to see the kids progress through each grade,’ he said.

‘It was such a great life lesson to teach the kids ” that there is nothing they couldn’t do and they could learn to adapt to anything.’

Mr Mawson said the importance of the work of PCYCs was a major reason for his long service.

‘It was what PCYC was doing for all the young people, providing so many activities, and being able to offer them to kids was something I just enjoyed doing,’ he said.

‘It was important for the kids to learn and that was very satisfying to be a part of.’

He said receiving the award after being retired for seven years was quite ‘surreal’.

‘I don’t see the need to be acknowledged in this way because people do it off their own bat and they wouldn’t do it if they didn’t enjoy it.

‘They know they are making a difference,’ he said.