By Ashok Verma
KNOWN among friends as Jumbo, Seymour’s Ken Hall has done mammoth work for a countless number of local organisations over the years.
For his tireless drive to volunteer, Ken has been bestowed Mitchell Shire Council’s highest accolade – 2026 Citizen of the Year.
About the honour, Ken (pictured fourth from right) said: “I felt embarrassed about it. There are plenty of other people that are worthy recipients. But I am very appreciative, they recognise what I want to do and try to do. I am accepting the award because I am proud to do it for my family.”
While Ken lends a hand to several organisations, his pride of passion has been working for the transformation of Kings Park in Seymour.
Asked what drives him for volunteer work, he said: “I don’t know. I don’t like going fishing or whatever, and you know, I like to see the satisfaction of it, like I am heavily involved in cricket, that’s only part of the story. The other is I get enjoyment when I see kids in these playgrounds and people have picnics and we are providing good facilities for them to use, because it is attractive for that sort of thing, and that gives me the biggest thrill.”
Ken, 77, said he retired from Halls Transport 14 years ago, and had been involved with volunteering work at Kings Park for more than 40 years.
For his foresight and commitment, the Kings Park management named a pavilion The Ken Hall Pavilion in 1984 to honour him for years of work.
Ken would not take all credit for making Kings Park a showpiece, and attributes it to the whole committee.
Ken is the Kings Park Committee of Management chairperson. A former Eastern Hill Cricket Club player, he has been president and a life member. He is also a life member of Seymour District Cricket Association and Seymour Agricultural and Pastoral Society. He was Centenary of Federation Celebrations chairman from 2000 to 2001. He has also been associated with Seymour Show, Seymour Apex Club and Seymour Historical Society.
Ken has won two previous awards for volunteer work from the council. Asked how long he continues doing volunteering work, Ken said: “I love the work. I will continue to be a volunteer for as long as I can. I cannot do what I used to, like pouring concrete, because I am getting too sore and old, but I still like it. I just do mowing, planting trees and putting fertiliser, just do the basic stuff.”
It is a family of volunteers, with wife Ruth and three of their sons, Wesley, Matthew (who is having health issues) and Nigel all doing volunteering work.
