For over 30 years Santo Perna volunteered at Redcliffe Little Athletics officiating, sporting and marking the track lines to ensure the young runners could perform. It all began in 1991/2 when the Perna's enrolled their children in Redcliffe Little Athletics during the summer months and Margate Football Club in the winter. Eventually that club morphed into Peninsula Power and Santo was front and centre volunteering to set up the goal posts and mark out the pitch.
By 2015, he was also marking out pitches at four football clubs – Peninsula Power, Virginia, Deception Bay and Redcliffe PCYC. At Power, Perna also helped set up the goals and equipment on Saturdays and was a ground official.
When Southern Cross College needed help with their swimming program, Santo was there to help. He subsequently qualified as a trainer through the AUSTSWIM program and regularly conducted classes for Peninsula students. He was named Moreton Bay Regional Sportsperson of 2009.
Santo Perna is listed on the wall of the Redcliffe Wall of Fame:
A collection of portrait and information honouring the achievements of individuals who have influenced and shaped Redcliffe. The collection is in the Jetty Arcade at 139-141 Redcliffe Parade.
For a complete list of people who appear on the wall click on the following blog post: