Media award winners reflect positive contribution to seniors' interests

22/10/06
Seniors' Minister David Templeman today announced the winners of the Deborah Kirwan Media Awards, the media component of the WA Seniors Awards.
The awards were named after the late Deborah Kirwan AM, the former president of Council on the Ageing (WA) who worked tirelessly to promote the profile of seniors' issues in the media.
Marissa Williams, of The West Australian, won the Print Category for her article 'Lessons Across the Generations'.
It featured 78-year-old Frank Allen, WA football's 1950 Sandover medalist, who volunteers his time to help with fitness lessons at his local primary school. The story illustrated the effectiveness of the Department of Sport and Recreation's Sports Fun Across Generations program, which benefits both seniors and young people.
Runners-up were Nathan Watson, of the Advocate newspaper in Bullsbrook, for his article on local retirees who volunteer their time to make wheelchairs for children in third world countries and Karen Valenti, of the Eastern Reporter, for her feature on grandparents who raise their grandchildren.
The unanimous winner of the Photography Category was Derek Pool, of the Busselton-Margaret River Times, for his picture of two seniors taken shortly before the Busselton Ironman Triathlon. His picture epitomised the concept of active ageing and was judged to be inspirational to other seniors to stay physically healthy.
Karin Pearson, of Channel Seven's Have-a-Go TV, won the Electronic Category for her touching portrayal of the School Volunteer Program, in which seniors volunteer their time to help out in local schools. The feature showed how the generation gap was being bridged and the panel noted that the program had mutual benefits for both the seniors and the students.
Andrea Burns, of Channel Seven's Today Tonight, was runner-up in this category for her feature 'Golden Oldies', which depicted seniors who challenged traditional stereotypes on ageing by being involved in various sporting activities.
Congratulating all winners and finalists, Mr Templeman said it was encouraging to see the extent to which seniors and seniors' issues were now featuring in the media.
"Our seniors today are healthier, more active and more involved in community and family life than previous generations, and all the signs are that this trend is going to continue," he said.
"The media has a huge role to play in helping to change the traditional stereotypes of ageing and it is great to see so many of the finalists in this category highlighting the tremendous contribution that older people make to our society."
For further information on the awards, please contact David Mitchell, A/Media and Communications Officer, on 6217 8531.
Minister's office - 9220 5050