On the back of Fathers' Day 2010, University of Newcastle Associate Professor Philip Morgan has been honoured with a NSW Community Father of the Year Special Commendation award.

The dedicated father-of-three was nominated in recognition of his passion for his family and his work in promoting healthy lifestyles for fathers and their families. He is the youngest father in the award's history to receive this recognition.

Associate Professor Morgan developed the internationally award-winning program, 'Healthy Dads Healthy Kids' that gives overweight fathers the tools to improve their own health and develop role model health behaviours for their children.

"I enjoy working with the community to help celebrate and encourage the very important role that fathers play in their families," he said. "I put my heart and soul into promoting men's health and encouraging healthy lifestyles. This award is recognition that I am making a difference."

Associate Professor Morgan received the award as part of by the 2010 Cumberland NSW Community Father of the Year Award in conjunction with the Shepherd Centre's Australian Father of the Year Award.

The awards, which have been running for 53 years, celebrate the extraordinary efforts fathers put into their local communities and the special role they play in their children's lives.

For interviews: Dr Philip Morgan, Associate Professor from the Faculty of Education and Arts.