
YMCA Victoria in association with the Father’s Day Council of Victoria has announced 41-year-old Eltham resident Terry Mitropoulos as the Victorian Father of the Year for 2016.
For Terry Mitropoulos, the love of his family is truly why he could accept this year’s Victorian Father of the Year.
On 26 September 2016, YMCA Victoria and the Father’s Day Council of Victoria awarded Terry the prestigious title after his son Jonah, 12, nominated him through the YMCA Community Father of the Year at Eltham Leisure Centre.
The 41-year-old husband and father has been through some incredibly traumatic times. In 2010, he was diagnosed with brain tumours and told by doctors to fear the worst.
Battling through 13 major operations to his brain and spine, Terry explained it was his family that pulled him through.
“On my sick bed, my family had nothing but love,” Terry said when accepting Victorian Father of the Year.
“If you have love, you have it all.”
Terry’s sons, Jonah, 12, and Christos, 10, both took to the stage to let the Victorian public know why their dad is so special.
“He teaches me to believe in myself and that anything is achievable through hard work and determination,” said Jonah.
“I love him very much and he is a worthy winner.”
Terry’s unconditional love for his two boys and wife Belinda was overwhelming, as he tried to hold back tears during his acceptance speech.
“To my two boys, I love you so very much,” he said.
“You love life, and your futures are going to be very special… you will be leaders for your generation.”
As originally published in the father's day council. Read the full article below
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