Albany’s Most Influential — the mentor

An indication of Terry Eaton’s commitment to his community was the City of Albany’s decision to appoint him an Honorary Freeman of the City in June this year.

The highest honour a local government can bestow on a citizen, there are only three living people who hold the Freeman title in Albany.

The retired Albany police officer has been the manager of Albany PCYC for 24 years, and in that time he has helped an untold number of troubled youths turn their lives around.

Young people have looked up to Mr Eaton for decades. He was nominated for Police Officer of the Year in 1997 by local teenagers, who said he had become a friend and a mentor.

He continues to help adolescents today creating bonds between the police, youth and the PCYC.

He is a life member and president of the Albany Cricket Association, an over-60s State representative cricket player and a Great Southern Football League umpire adviser.

Mr Eaton has also sat on various boards including the Great Southern Employment Development Commission.

When the future of the Albany PCYC was uncertain in 2012, the community made its feelings clear.

Albany’s Neighbourhood Watch manager Jim Hanna, who had worked alongside Mr Eaton for more than 10 years at the time, said there would be a “big jump in strife” if he left the PCYC.

“He’s keeping the young people of Albany off the streets on Friday nights and Saturday nights,” Mr Hanna said.

Click here for the full Albany’s Most Influential list.