Awards 2022

Paul Patteson

The Gardens Darwin

Paul Patteson was born in 1958, second of six children.

He graduated with a Bachelor of Business in 1978. Inspired by the knowledge that Economists were too boring to invite lo parties and that accountants were too dull to be economists and so he became a computer programmer. He worked in Canberra, London and Darwin. He had a number of businesses; as a tax agent; photographer; earth moving contractor; wind surfing/ catamaran school operator; and a chicken shop proprietor. He married the most wonderful girl in the world and was lucky enough to be father to a batch of kids.

Year 2000 commenced with a successful Y2K implementation with 1.5 percent of normal vision and a good life and job.

In a week he had no wife, no access to kids, no job, a nearly bankrupt business and rapidly diminishing eyesight. Not a good week. Not being mentally robust he did not take this too well. He suffered clinical depression and had to navigate the bowels of the family court system.

His job opportunities evaporated quickly, and depression set in. Realising he had to do something, he performed voluntary work at anything he could get. He volunteered for the Royal Society of the Blind as a fund raiser in Adelaide. Turned out he was quite effective, so he did it for others such as Guide Dogs for SA and NT, The Blind Sporting Council, a couple of Cancer charities and then, Retina Australia.

Paul has been raising funds for Retina Australia since around 2007, that's 15 years. Paul says, before you attribute any laurels or noble characteristics to him, he wishes to declare he does it for selfish reasons. It gives him a sense of purpose and worth, it shows he can contribute to the community, regardless of his disability. He gets to enjoy air conditioning he doesn't have to pay for and it prevents his bad habits, of which he has many, a consequence of flourishing. In addition, he gets to see how generous the community can be.

Not yet aged 65, Paul does not qualify for a Senior Of Excellence NT Award, However, he does qualify for a Senior Of Excellence NT Exceptional Community Service Award.

Ladies and gentlemen... It is my pleasure to give you, Paul Patteson and I invite Mr Jim McDougall to say a few words and present Paul with his certificate.

Mr Jim McDougal will also present Paul with a cheque made out to Retina Australia, the organisation Paul collects for. The presentation is being made by Community Bank Nightcliff 1 Bendigo Bank and is for the sum of $1,000.