VIKTORIA BALANZATEGUI
Victoria Cross recipient Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith has been named 2013 Father of the Year.
Roberts-Smith was presented with the award for his devotion to his family and contribution to Australia.
The father of three-year-old twins, Eve and Elizabeth, has accepted the award on behalf of all parents who have sacrificed time away from their families for the Australian Defence Force who ensure other Australian families can live in safety.
As Australia’s most decorated soldier, Roberts-Smith is only the fourth person to win a Victoria Cross in Afghanistan.
He was a recipient of a Victoria Cross after his heroic act of breaking cover and presenting himself as an ample target to the Taliban, to draw enemy machine gun fire away from his patrol so they were able to return to fire.
Chairman for the Australian Father’s Day Council, Maurice Newman, said the war hero was an inspiration for all dads.
“He is a worthy recipient and would agree that being a good father to his little girls is every bit as important as being awarded the Victoria Cross,” he said.
Roberts-Smith was presented with the award by children’s charity, The Shepherd Centre on Sunday.