By Natalee Kerr
A 79-year-old volunteer from Torquay has won a state award for helping create “age-friendly” communities.
Toni McCormack was one of 16 award recipients at Tuesday’s Government House ceremony.
Ms McCormack said she was “honoured” to win the Senior Achiever Award for instigating the growth of U3A Surf Coast to more than 300 members in four years.
“It’s a great message to get out to people that if you believe in something and keep working on it, it can become successful,” she said.
“It’s very satisfying to see people are still enjoying it.”
U3A Surf Coast offered activities for retirees such as language, yoga, and computer classes in a “relaxed” atmosphere at nine locations at Torquay and Anglesea, Ms McCormack said.
She considered U3A invaluable for helping “stimulate thinking and learning” among senior.
“When I retired it was a bit of a shock to realise the skills and experiences that I had, I wasn’t using them anymore.
“U3A is a great way for people to try something new or put the skills back to use. You don’t have to be an expert to take part.”
Ms McCormack volunteers around six hours a week to the not-for-profit organisation, managing database and teaching computer subjects.
