The Member for Northern Victoria Region, Candy Broad today invited members of the public, service and community organisations and local councils in the region to nominate outstanding older people for the Victorian Senior of the Year Awards.
Ms Broad said the nomination process was an important part of the statewide search to find seniors who have made exceptional contributions to their local community.
“If you know an ordinary senior who does extraordinary things for the community, then the annual Victorian Senior of the Year Awards are a great way you can show your appreciation for their contribution,” Ms Broad said.
To be eligible for an award, the nominee must be an Australian citizen, a resident of Victoria, aged 60 years or more, and who has achieved something extraordinary or performed exceptional service to the community.
Senior Victorians Minister Lisa Neville said Victoria has an amazing culture of community participation and volunteering and that the award was an opportunity for the Brumby Labor Government and the wider Victorian community to thank individuals for their contributions.
The Premier’s Award for Victorian Senior of the Year is presented to the individual who has made the most significant contribution to their local community and to Victoria.
“We all know at least one older person whose achievements and contribution are truly inspirational. I urge you to nominate that person so that we, as a community, can show them the recognition and appreciation they so richly deserve,” Ms Broad said.
All nominees for the Premier’s Award are also eligible for Council on the Ageing (COTA) Victoria Senior Achiever Awards. These awards recognise and honour seniors for their talents, achievements and contributions to their communities.
The Go for your life Award recognises a senior who best personifies the key messages of the Victorian Government’s Go for your life initiative: to keep active, eat healthy food and maintain social contacts with friends and family.
A new award has also been established this year. The Veteran Community Award will acknowledge the significant contribution of an individual to the veteran community.
The Victorian Senior of the Year Awards will be presented at a special reception at Government House on October 2, 2009. The ceremony is timed to align with the UN International
Day of Older Persons on October 1 and the Victorian Seniors Festival, which runs from October 4 to 11.
Nomination forms can be obtained from Seniors Information Victoria, phone 1300 135 090, or downloaded from the Office of Senior Victorians website: www.seniors.vic.gov.au Nominations for all awards close on 24 July 2009.