2009 Australian Father of the Year

This years Australian Father of the Year Award, went to Mr Li Cunxin.

The dedicated father of three is celebrating the award with his family at home.

Presented by The Fathers Day Council, and the organization dedicated to helping hearing impaired children, The Shepherd Centre, Li was awarded Australian Father of the Year, for being a committed and inspirational father.

[Tom, Lis Son]:
Obviously hes a very busy person, but its very hard to notice for us, because he always makes time for us.

[Bridie, Lis Youngest Daughter]:
Whenever Im feeling like angry or sad or something, he makes my special favorite food, which is Chinese hamburgers or dumplings.

From humble beginnings of poverty in rural China, Li grew to stardom as an international ballet dancer who defected from communist China to the United States. Lis best selling book Maos Last Dancer, details his journey to freedom.

Family remains the centre of his focus. At 18 months of age, Lis eldest daughter Sophie, was diagnosed with severe hearing loss. But, with the undying support of her father, she has overcome many challenges.

[Sophie, Lis Eldest Daughter]:
He is a great role model for those out there who especially have families who have disadvantage or disabilities.

Born into a family of seven boys, he says his father, who passed away earlier this year, was a role model in his life.

[Li Cunxin, Australian Father of the Year]:
I have had a wonderful father myself, so I always have looked up to my late father as a shining example in my life. So this award was fantastic in a way, because I love being a father.

Lis wife also thinks hes more than up to the task.

[Mary Mckendry, Lis Wife]:
Hes proved that hes been a good father, because theyre lovely children, and I think yeah, very deserving.

And he cherishes the rewards that come with being a top dad.

[Li Cunxin, 2009 Australian Father of the Year]:
Well, big kisses on my cheeks, and my children tell me that they love me, is the best present I could ever receive.

Robert Apicella, NTD Melbourne.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• NTD
• News
• Australia
• Father of the Year
• Li Cunxin
• The Father's Day Council
• Shepherd Centre
• Mao's Last Dancer

[harry19841218]

his son is really cute, indeed

[imova]

His children are beautiful.

[jojo12345678999]

@13hehe fucken go have a cry you baby

[13hehe]

@xliu56481 try living through that period in China. really just try it. My grandma was tortured and beaten on a daily basis by her own students in the Cultural Revolution. Any sane human being given the chance to defect, owed it to themselves to do so.

[MingTheMerciful]

@corey26081987 He is divorced his american wife and later remarried again to an australian women who was also send to houston ballet school.

[Yunginspirit]

What a lovely family!

What a great example they all are. : )

[Asiats1]

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA

[zargoffkain]

"big kisses on my cheeks" wtf?? lol this guys a legend!!!

[ableach22]

i dont get it?

[Millymouse343]

same... omg sooo sad:(

[damagejackal10]

Austrasian kids :)

[gothee]

Actually she is australian