Rewarding a lifetime of service

WHEN Phil Symons received a call to inform him he would be the next recipient of the Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV) General Sir John Monash Award for outstanding service, he was surprised.

Symons does not regard his lifetime of dedication to communal organisations as anything significant. Rather, he considers it his responsibility.
“I feel that involvement in Jewish organisations is essential for the future of the Jewish community,” he told The AJN this week.

Despite not enjoying being singled out, Symons said he was “very honoured to get the recognition” from the JCCV.

“It’s nice that workers are recognised for the work they do, not that I am looking for the recognition, nor do I want it, but it’s nice that the community offers this recognition,”
he said.

Symons started his communal career as a tertiary student, co-founding the Melbourne University Jewish Student Society and going on to volunteer for the Melbourne Jewish Youth Council.

He is a past president of the JCCV, and also held various positions at both Mizrachi and B’nai B’rith.
Of all his contributions, he said his most rewarding was his long-serving presidency of Mount Scopus Memorial College.

“In working for Jewish day schools and the effect it can have on, not only the students and the community, but in fostering Jewish identity, that is the most satisfying,” he said.

He was previously honoured with the Zionist Federation of Australia and the World Zionist Organisation’s Jerusalem Prize in 1987, and was made a Member of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 1995.

He said he was as “overwhelmed” now as he had been when he received the awards in the past.
Looking to the future, Symons said he is pleased with the level of involvement currently taking place in Melbourne.

“The Melbourne Jewish community on the world stage is quite remarkable and it’s because of the involvement of its people. We have a lot for which we have to be proud,” he said.

“There’s never enough and there are always others who should get involved, but I’m not pessimistic.”
The award will be presented at the JCCV community awards night on December 16 at Monash University’s Robert Blackwood Hall.

DALIA SABLE

Caption: Phil Symons with his wife Ruth (left) and Lilian Krupp.