A past Victorian Senior of the Year Awards category winner from Geelong encourages the community to acknowledge seniors making a difference in their area.
The 2023 award now accepts nominations until Friday, July 28, to people across the state aged 60 or above and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 and above.
Ross Synot won the Council on the Ageing (COTA) Victoria Senior Achiever Award last year for his work in the community. He said it was important to recognise the contributions of seniors.
“It is exceptionally important for the person still contributing to the community and it also shows others that even when you reach a certain age, you don’t stop,” he said.
“There are still opportunities to go out there and help others, and I think the more of us that can do that, the better society will be.”
Mr Synot said last year’s award helped him continue making a difference and feel valued.
“It does show that you’re still needed,” he said.
“Even though sometimes you feel that well, ‘you’re getting on a bit’ and ‘there are others’, your experience does count.
“I would encourage others to think of deserving people to be nominated. I think it is a very nice way for people to be recognised and it is an encouragement to keep helping in the community.”
Awards are presented to seniors across the six categories; Premier’s Victorian Senior of the Year, Promotion of Multiculturalism, Healthy and Active Living, Veteran Community, Ageing Well, and COTA.
Recipients of the 2023 Victorian Senior Awards will be honoured at a Victorian Seniors Festival ceremony in October, and nominations can be made online at seniorsonline.vic.gov.au/awards.
