By Laura Michell
For 25 years, Epping’s Nazzareno (Rino) Minniti and his wife, Josie, have dedicated their time to raising money for cancer patients.
Last month, Rino’s dedication to fundraising and volunteering was recognised with a Council on the Ageing Award at the 2022 Victorian Senior of the Year Awards.
Held as part of the annual Victorian Seniors Festival, the awards were presented by Victorian Governor Linda Dessau at Government House.
The awards recognise seniors for their significant contributions to local communities and Victoria.
Rino, a beloved hairdresser in Lalor who only hung up his scissors in 2020 after 51 years, said he was “on top of the moon” to receive the award.
He said being able to receive his award alongside Father Bob Maguire was “a great honour”.
“It’s not something you expect. It is a bonus, it is great,” he said.
“You don’t raise money for awards.”
The Minnitis raise money for cancer patients via Josie’s charity, Josie Minniti and the Fun Group. The charity started 25 years ago, initially raising money for the Austin Hospital.
These days, they raise money for Northern Hospital.
Their fundraisers have gathered $750,000 in donations, which has been used to buy equipment for the hospital.
Rino said they began fundraising because cancer had touched their family.
He and two of his brothers have battled cancer, as well as other members of the extended family.
Josie described Rino as the “backbone” of the charity, sharing that he is often the auctioneer at the group’s fundraisers.
“He is the person people come to the events for …. he could sell ice to an Eskimo,” Josie said.
“He is just such a humble person.”
Josie said the pair continue to fundraise in the hope of “making cancer patients comfortable”.
“If we only make a slighting difference in the world, then that is enough,” she said.
