Quiet one
Years ago
Gaze honoured at home
Former Olympic and Melbourne Tigers champion Andrew Gaze has been named the inaugural Melburnian of the Year.
Melbourne Lord Mayor John So presented Gaze with the award at a gala dinner at Melbourne Town Hall on Saturday night.
Gaze said it all came as a surprise.
"I consider it a tremendous privilege and an honour to be recognised in this way," Gaze told AAP.
"I think in a city like Melbourne and a state like Victoria with so many amazing contributors and so much talent, to be recognised in this way is very significant to me."
A panel of more than 80 judges selected Gaze to receive the award for his 'outstanding contribution' and for 'tirelessly giving back to both his sport and the wider community'.
"It is tremendous recognition and certainly the family also are very grateful for me to have the opportunity to have won this award," he said.
The five-time Olympic champion ended his career on the courts this year after playing 23 seasons with the Tigers.
