Deans Marsh volunteer hailed as local legend

A Deans Marsh resident has earnt local legend status for being a selfless volunteer within the community for the past decade.

Victor Goldsztein is the latest to be recognised by the Surf Coast Shire as a Local Legend.

His award nomination celebrated his commitment and passion for helping people in his community to connect and thrive.

During his volunteer tenure, Mr Goldsztein spent time on the Dean Marsh Community Cottage board, Deans Marsh Festival committee, community market committee and Deans Marsh Hall and Reserve Community Asset Committee.

He said he felt slightly embarrassed, however very humbled to be acknowledged.

“The reality is I’m one of many in Deans Marsh.

“It is very nice someone made this recommendation about me, but the community is full of people who do lots.”

Mr Goldsztein and his husband Chris moved to Deans Marsh 14 years ago with the aim of establishing a weekender away from Melbourne so they “couldn’t see another living soul”.

However, he quickly became attracted to the vibrance of his new community and couldn’t help but get involved.

An advertisement on the local store noticeboard first piqued his community involvement interests and he said it flourished from there.

“The first really lovely thing about the experience was the neighbours in our street.

“We just found this amazing connection with people, some full-timers, some weekenders like ourselves.

“The community cottage was running a program called Chainsaws for Chicks and I rang them up and said I’m not a chick but I know nothing about chainsaws, would you consider taking a bloke.

“The workshop was a great experience. It was on the Saturday, and on the Tuesday they were running a first aid course, so I figured on Saturday I’ll learn how to chop my arm off and on Tuesday I’d better learn how to stop excessive blood loss!”

During the first aid course, he was recruited onto the community cottage board and stayed there for three years.

Honed by previous experience in hospitality and event management, Mr Goldzstein moved on to the Deans Marsh Festival committee where he spent seven years running the town’s popular market event.

“I think one of the nicest times I’ve had in the community is the first market we ran after the 2020 lockdown.

“It wasn’t a large market but there was such a buzz from the stallholders and from the community, just being able to be at the oval and be together. It was a special day.”

After the rigours of the pandemic, Mr has taken some time off from community work during 2023.

However, he said his community involvement will continue at some point in the future.

Read more about Surf Coast Shire Local Legends via surfcoast.vic.gov.au/LocalLegends