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Seniors Recognised for Outstanding Contributions

Local seniors group recognised for providing opportunities for older Victorians to get involved in day walks, walking holidays and other social events.

By Portal Admin - 3rd November 2019 - Back to News

A local seniors group has been recognised for their fantastic work in providing opportunities for older Victorians to get involved in day walks, walking holidays and other social events.

Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing today congratulated the West Gippsland Bush Walkers who were this week recognised as a winner at the 2019 Victorian Senior of the Year Awards.

West Gippsland Bush Walkers provide safe and environmentally responsible bushwalking to promote fitness and a healthy lifestyle along with social interaction. With three different levels of walking groups offered on a fortnightly basis, week-long trips away and clearing work done with Parks Victoria they have devised a range of activities to suit all ages and fitness levels.

Recipients took part in a ceremony at Government House and were recognised for their community work by the Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers Luke Donnellan and the Governor of Victoria Linda Dessau AC.

An 80-year-old palliative care advocate, Margaret Young, won the 2019 Victorian Senior of the Year Award in recognition of her outstanding work supporting people facing a terminal diagnosis.

Margaret is an active volunteer who has supported many individuals over the past 11 years as a grief counsellor with Eastern Palliative Care. Recently diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease, Margaret has agreed to document her own experience for a film project as she faces her own death to help benefit others.

There are more than 1.25 million Victorians over 60 and each year the Victorian Senior of the Year Awards recognise the enormous contribution they make to their local communities.

This year’s Promotion of Multiculturalism Award went to Souria Youssef for her work supporting isolated Arabic speaking residents in aged care facilities and the community.

The Healthy and Active Living Award went to Anna Bardsley who has transformed her personal struggles with gambling addiction to a strong caring and advocacy role.

Several veterans were recognised at the awards including Peter Burquest who won the Veteran Community Award and COTA Senior Achiever Award recipients 98-year-old Alan Moore and 96-year-old Colin Hamley. Nine other COTA Senior Achiever Award recipients were recognised at the awards and the West Gippsland Bush Walkers received the Age-Friendly Victoria Award.

The awards are part of the 2019 Victorian Seniors Festival, which runs throughout October to recognise and celebrate seniors. For more information about the awards visit seniorsonline.vic.gov.au/awards.

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria, Harriet Shing

"Congratulations to the West Gippsland Bush Walkers Group on being recognised for their outstanding contribution to better health, friendship and connectivity for so many people of all ages and abilities."

"The high calibre of nominations in this year’s Victorian Senior of the Year Awards is a wonderful reflection of the diversity, skill and warmth in our communities and I congratulate all the finalists on their impressive contributions."

Quote attributable to Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers Luke Donnellan

"Every day, senior Victorians share their skills, experience, time, and energy with us all. The Victorian Senior of the Year Awards are one of the many ways we say thank you."

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: support@gippsland.com