Craig’s top honour

Phil Craig receives the award. 190726_01

By Kyra Gillespie

Pakenham’s Phil Craig has been named Victorian Community Official of the Year in the 2018 Victorian Sport Awards.

The award recognises Mr Craig’s almost 20 years volunteering with the Victorian Fire and Rescue Squad, providing fire and rescue services for all the major circuit sport events in the state.

“This award is just unbelievable, I just can’t believe I’ve won it,” Mr Craig said.

“In my view it’s more about having motor sports recognised as well as all the officials that put a lot of time in. I’m just lucky that I happened to get the award; there are lots more people who give up their weekends to volunteer for the love of the sport.”

After first becoming involved in 1999, acting as a FIV team member for Rally of Melbourne, Craig joined the VFRS and worked his way up to become the Chief Fire Marshal in 2004.

Craig has also spent time working as a Deputy Chief Fire Marshal at the Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix and Virgin Australia Supercars, as well as being an integral member of the CAMS Official Training Teams in Singapore and South Korea.

Also employed at the CFA, Mr Craig has also been a volunteer firefighter for 30-odd years, with most of that time spent at the Nar Nar Goon branch.

His work in the motor sport industry all started with a personal passion for the sport.

Mr Craig was presented the award at Marvel Stadium on Wednesday 20 February.

“I have to thank my wife Jeanette and my family; without their support I wouldn’t be able to be involved in motor sport. I also want to thank all the officials at all the tracks we work at; without those guys and girls none of us would be doing what we love.”