Back in 1988, it was largely due to the Mandurah resident and his wife Sue that South Mandurah Tennis Club started an annual junior tennis tournament.
After 25 years, the TennisWest-sanctioned event still draws children to the club from all over the South-West for three days of fun, sporting skills and tennis etiquette enhancement.
Mr Lawrence was captain and president of the club for many years.
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READ NOWSince 1995 he has been on the council of South Mandurah Uniting Church and treasurer for 13 years.
He was also a founding member of FinUCAre, a Mandurah-based financial counselling service with branches in Pinjarra, Waroona and Boddington.
Mr Lawrence is also a supporter of Teen Challenge WA which helps drug-affected young people overcome their addictions and has raised $65,000 for the cause.
In 2011, he started as a volunteer with The Compassionate Friends Mandurah, a charitable organisation which provides care and support for bereaved parents, grandparents and siblings and for the past nine years, he has been an administrator with Alcoa charity help group PEACH (Personnel Employed at Alcoa Charity Help).
Alcoa refinery manager Simon Pascoe said his efforts were outstanding.
‘John is known around the refinery for his enthusiasm to help others,” he said.
‘He’s a true inspiration.’