Jeff ‘Joffa’ Corfe nominated for Australian of the Year

ADAM Goodes, Rosie Batty ... Joffa Corfe? The Collingwood cheer squad identity has been short-listed for Australian of the Year. And he has a case.

Mini Me Doll Joffa

COLLINGWOOD cheer squad identity Jeff “Joffa” Corfe says he is “incredibly honoured” to have been nominated for Australian of the Year.

Corfe is known as a colourful face of the Magpies’ most passionate fans, but he does plenty of work for charity — including the Epilepsy Foundation and Reclink Australia, which aims to provide and promote sport and art for people experiencing disadvantage.

He received a letter this week informing him he has made the shortlist of 128 for the award — which will be cut again to 32 in eight weeks’ time before the final four is announced — but Corfe says who nominated him for the prestigious award remains a mystery.

“It’s very exciting and I’m very honoured,” he told the Herald Sun on Friday.

“I do (a lot of charity work), and it’s something that people that do don’t sort of go around town standing on a soapbox (to tell everyone about). I do a lot of work with the Epilepsy Foundation as an ambassador, I do a lot of work with homeless people, Reclink … I just get about town as much as I can and be of aid to those who are against the odds, those who are of difficult circumstances and just for people who aren’t travelling too well.

“That’s the major pleasure that I get out of life.

“Someone has seen that and someone has told somebody else of that … I’m very honoured.

“It will be no disappointment if (making the final 32) doesn’t happen. Just being where I am now is a big thrill. It’s dedicated to all of these people that I work with, and that’s pretty important to me.”

Jeff Corfe spends a lot of time on Melbourne’s streets. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Corfe, 51, drifted between jobs and homes in his adolescence and was homeless for four years before gaining employment and housing.

His daughter Emma was diagnosed with epilepsy at 13 years of age, prompting his involvement and extensive fundraising efforts with the Epilepsy Foundation.

He also works extensively with the Salvation Army in supporting Melbourne’s homeless.

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire says the nomination is testament to all of Corfe’s hard work in helping others.

“It’s fantastic. It’s great recognition for the work that he does,” he said.

“He holds such an exultant place at the Collingwood Football Club because of his charity work and because of his lateral thinking. He was the person who came up with the Jock McHale medal to be presented to the premiership coach on Grand Final day.

Joffa as we see him on weekends.

“He was also instrumental in pulling together the day we have at Collingwood each year where we collect blankets on the coldest day of the footy season and give them to the homeless.

“He has got a tremendous feel for the game and for the history of the game, but he’s also got a tremendous feel for people in general in the community.

“His work with the Epilepsy Foundation … looking after his daughter and raising so much money — being out there, night after night looking after the most desperate people in our society just says so much about Joffa Corfe.

“I personally think he’s one of the best people I’ve met in footy.”

The Australian of the Year was last year awarded to Sydney star Adam Goodes and this year to Rosie Batty. Past winners include Geoffrey Rush, Steve Waugh and Fred Hollows.

The award recognises a “significant contribution to the Australian community and nation, excellence in one’s field, an inspirational role model for the Australian community or a significant contribution at local level.”