Mr O’Neill is a highly regarded coach and mentor to young water skiers in the sport and in life, which saw him earning the Godfather title on Sunday.
Godfathers’ president Marty Cummins presented Mr O’Neill with a framed certificate as this year’s Godfather at the Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort where 82 golfers took to the Lake Course fairways.
In the style of former television show This Is Your Life, Mr Cummins outlined Mr O’Neill’s background, finally revealing that “Pete is a very worthy winner of this award”.
“I’ve been set up!” responded the latest Godfather of the Year.
“Thank you very much to everyone involved.
“You blokes (the 10-member Godfathers group) do a marvellous job for the community.”
Recently retired, Mulwala Water Ski Club CEO of 15 years, Peter Duncan said Mr O’Neill had done a great job for the youth of the community.
“Pete gets kids in, trains them, gives them opportunities and teaches them good values as well - to be a good person,” Mr Duncan said.
“He’s more than just a coach – he’s a role model.
“Pete’s trained a lot of kids over a lot of years and been very successful.”
Mr O’Neill is a legend according to Yarrawonga Holiday Park manager Shaun Driscoll.
“Pete hates that word ‘legend’,” Mr Driscoll said.
“But it’s true – he is a legend.
“What he’s put into kids in Yarrawonga and Mulwala – teaching them to learn to water ski, improving them and seeing them go on to great success – he is in my opinion a legend.
“Pete goes above and beyond his coaching role, mentoring them as well, teaching them respect, helping them in their life.
“He puts on great water ski shows and is well known throughout the world.”
Mr O’Neill has run the ski school at Mulwala Water Ski Club for 15 years.
He has skied for Australia on 20 occasions and won many national titles.
A multiple national championship winner in barefooting and show skiing, Mr O’Neill has won an impressive collection of world medals.
He can now add the prestigious local award, Godfather of the Year.
29°C