Eaglehawk citizen John Pearce has been honoured as the suburb\u2019s citizen of the year for 2022.<\/p>\n
The schoolteacher was recognised for his dedication to Eaglehawk Secondary College, and the wider community, over 50 years of service inside and outside the classroom.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m very proud and very grateful that my name was put up and that I\u2019ve been named as the citizen of the year,\u201d Mr Pearce said.<\/p>\n
While the honour fills him with pride, Mr Pearce said it also comes with a mix of emotions.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo be perfectly honest I feel a bit embarrassed because I think there are so many other people out there that deserve such recognition,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Mr Pearce said the honour of being named Eaglehawk\u2019s citizen was more a reflection of the community he\u2019s worked in for the past five decades, rather than a personal accolade.<\/p>\n
\u201cI see it as recognition of a community that is progressive, compassionate, creative and full of good people,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Originally from the greater Melbourne area, Mr Pearce moved to Eaglehawk to begin his teaching career in the 1970s<\/p>\n
Once he arrived in the suburb, the live-long educator aid her never looked back and was inspired by the people around him.<\/p>\n
\u201cI found Eaglehawk quite addictive. It\u2019s an incredible community with some amazing people who have influenced me to become the person I am,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Never one to settle, Mr Pearce said his ambitions are constantly changing.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs you got to know people you modified your goals a little because they inspire you. What good people do is they inspire you,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think as you meet people in life you start to modify what you believe is important and what you\u2019d like to achieve yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n
Inspired by the students he has taught throughout his career, Mr Pearce said their challenges kept him motivated to be the best educator he could be.<\/p>\n
\u201cKnowing the battles they had to overcome of their disadvantage, illness or disability, or whatever it may be, they\u2019re the heroes in my mind,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve overcome incredible issues to lead really productive, happy and loving lives.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Eaglehawk citizen John Pearce has been honoured as the suburb\u2019s citizen of the year for 2022. The schoolteacher was recognised for his dedication to Eaglehawk Secondary College, and the wider community, over 50 years of service inside and outside the classroom. \u201cI\u2019m very proud and very grateful that my name was put up and that […]<\/p>\n