Wednesday, the 81-year-old Angelo Koutouleas, who runs the St. Eleftherios Greek pensioner club, attained his Food Handling Certificate.
Now, he can run the club without relying on others who hold certification.
Initially, from Lakonia, the 81-year-old was motivated to learn new things and to obtain certification to handle food.
Helen Politis, a workplace and industrial relations professional who volunteers for the community, told Neos Kosmos that Angelo is a “model of community leadership.”
She said that Angelo needed a food handling certificate to hold events for his members at St. Eleftherios club.
Politis volunteers with Angelo for the Greek elders every Tuesday, and said she speaks “from first-hand experience.”
“The local neighbourhood learning centres that hosted Angelo and provided him with a computer worked with him to set him up an email and explained how to work through the assessment.
“Angelo is a tireless worker. He loves community and people, and his work goes a long way to reducing isolation and loneliness.
“His club has many peers, some in their 90s, and his commitment to maintaining the club demonstrates that no matter what the age, we can continue to develop, grow and contribute meaningfully to our communities.”
Politis, who helped Angelo attain a certificate by enrolling him in the Brunswick Neighbourhood House program and assisting him, called the achievement “a real testament to resilience and independence.”
She described Angelo as “a pillar of the Brunswick community over many decades.”
“Angelo helps many people and does it selflessly”, Politis said.