Two Victoria Police officers have been officially recognised for going above and beyond the call of duty in the Footscray community.

Yesterday, Footscray Multicultural Liaison Officer Leading Senior Constable Craig Spicer and Youth Resource Officer Senior Constable James Ridsdale were named the 2007 recipients of the Eddie McGuire Community Services Award.

The award was first inaugurated by the Western Bulldogs Board of Management in 2003, to thank Mr McGuire for his assistance in promoting the AFL club in the community.

Past recipients include prominent youth outreach worker Les Twentyman and well- respected local figure, Sunshine Magistrate John Doherty.

The award recognises people who have demonstrated a high level of community achievement in the Western Region, and have made an outstanding contribution over and above what might be reasonably expected through their paid employment.

Western Bulldogs President, David Smorgon OAM, presented the two officers with the award during yesterday’s President’s Lunch at the Telstra Dome, in which the Western Bulldogs played Collingwood.

The award recognises the pair’s continued involvement in a number of initiatives in the Western Region. some of which include:

• Assisting with the Western Bulldog’s Multicultural Match Visitation Program, which saw more than 1500 newly arrived families, including more than 2500 children, taken to AFL matches last year.
• Assisting with the Western Bulldogs SpiritWest Services FRESH program which offers at risk youth alternate education programs
• Assisting with the Western Region Community Bike Ride last December which helped raise (INSERT FIGURE) for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in a bid to find a cure for Type 1 Diabetes.

Senior Constable Ridsdale said he felt deeply honoured to receive the award.
“It’s a really good feeling. I am over the moon. We are both really passionate about the work we do in the Western community and it is really special to be recognised for something we enjoy doing so much,” Sen Const Ridsdale said.
“It is a real honour to be up there with such big names as Les Twentyman and Magistrate John Doherty.”
Leading Senior Constable Spicer said the award was a credit to the entire Footscray Police Station who supported many of their community initiatives.
“I was taken away when I found out. The Western Bulldogs do so much great work in the community and so many great community minded people are affiliated with the club and help do such awesome stuff in the local community,”
“So many people are deserving of this award and the fact that the Western Bulldogs Board considered us for it, let alone gave it to us, is a huge honour and we look forward to working with them in the future.”
Western Bulldogs Chief Executive, Campbell Rose, said that the pair are an asset to the western region.
Multicultural Liaison Officer Leading Senior Constable Craig Spicer and Youth Resource Officer Senior Constable James Ridsdale“Leading Senor Constable Craig Spice and Senior Constable James Ridsdale are an integral part of the western suburbs and we are delighted to have the, so actively involved at the Western Bulldogs”, said Rose.
“Their work on various projects in partnership with the Bulldogs is of a huge benefit to the entire community.
“Their enthusiasm and passion is exemplary and they are most worthy recipient’s of the Eddie McGuire Community Services Award”, concluded Rose.