The Mordialloc Jazz Orchestra’s Musical Director, Peter Foley, has been named Kingston’s 2023 Citizen of the Year.
City of Kingston Council Mayor, Hadi Saab (pictured, left) presented the awards at the Kingston Volunteer Appreciation event last night and said the winners were selected from a fantastic group of nominees, all of whom had helped make Kingston such a strong and connected community.
“Peter, the STEM Incubators and the Cheltenham Community Centre all make remarkable
contributions across a wide range of areas in Kingston are great examples for us all to strive towards,” Cr Saab said.
“We have some amazing citizens, community organisations and volunteers in Kingston and these awards and event are a great way to thank them for their efforts and acknowledge the outstanding impact they all make.”
A talented, inspiring, and inclusive leader, Peter (pictured, right) has made an enormous contribution to the cultural fabric of our city in his over 30 years at the helm of MoJO, with thousands of people of all ages experiencing the joy of music through both rehearsals and performances in that time, the Mayor said.
Of particular note is the multiple generations of children of all-abilities and from diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds who have been empowered and inspired and benefitted from Peter’s tutelage, with many progressing to become professional musicians and teachers themselves.
His work at MoJO also creates important social connections and a feeling of wellbeing for many. So much so that aspiring musicians from all over Melbourne come to Mordialloc each week to play with the band.
The success of events like Jazz-a-oke, Carols by Kingston and the Big Band Sunsets concerts, including the involvement of stars such as James Morrison, Kate Ceberano and Marina Prior, are also testimony to Peter’s vision, capacity, and tireless work, the Council said in a statement.
