WA Seniors Awards finalists highlight outstanding contribution of older people

11/10/06
Seniors' Minister David Templeman today announced the finalists in this year's WA Seniors Awards, which will be presented at a gala ceremony at the Hyatt Regency Perth on Sunday, October 22, the start of BankWest Seniors Week 2006.
Mr Templeman said the calibre of nominations in the 2006 awards showed the diversity of the valuable and ongoing contributions seniors made to the community across all sectors.
"Our current generation of seniors has had an enormous impact on the development of our State and nation, and the quality of the finalists this year reflects the incredible and invaluable contribution they continue to make," the Minister said.
"Among their diverse and fascinating stories, we have seniors who have developed cultural awareness programs, are helping to preserve heritage and history, fighting a war against vandalism and anti-social crime and helping to feed underprivileged families.
"All these seniors work tirelessly and selflessly. They work for the benefit of the community, but it is only right that they are recognised for their outstanding work."
The winner of the prestigious BankWest Senior of the Year Award will be selected from the winners of the four main categories:

• Community Achievement - this recognises a senior who demonstrates an outstanding commitment to their community by volunteering their time to help others.
• Community Participation - outstanding service to the community, and/or participation in one of the areas of sport, recreation, culture or the arts.
• Business Participation - this recognises a senior in the workforce or community organisation who demonstrates ongoing leadership, commitment and dedication to an organisation or business.
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leadership Award - recognises an indigenous senior who demonstrates a commitment to excellence, leadership and achievement.

A further award, the Active Ageing Leadership Award, recognises a group or organisation for its innovative planning or response to the ageing population.
Many of the finalists have also been honoured by being named Senior of the Year for their own region.
Mr Templeman will present all of the awards, including the BankWest Senior of the Year Award, at the ceremony on October 22.
Regional Seniors of the Year:
Vilma Webb, Busselton - South-West Senior of the Year
Jack Trust, Kununurra - Kimberley Senior of the Year
Judith Parker, Waikiki - Metropolitan Senior of the Year
Jack Tinetti, Kalgoorlie - Goldfields Senior of the Year
Gavin Mason, Carnarvon - Gascoyne Senior of the Year
John Lane, South Yunderup - Peel Senior of the Year
Neroli Roberts, Geraldton - Mid-West Senior of the Year
Elizabeth Franz, Denmark - Great Southern Senior of the Year
Vida Clapp, Corrigin - Wheatbelt Senior of the Year.
Special Judges' Commendations:
Dortea Mays, Eaton
Angela Martin, Swan View.
Active Ageing Leadership Award:
Finalists -
Active Ageing Network, Mundaring
City of Melville, Melville.
The BankWest WA Senior of the Year, who will receive $2,000 and a trophy, will be chosen from the winners of the following categories:
Community Achievement Award:
Finalists -
Elizabeth Franz, Denmark
Judith Parker, Waikiki.
Community Participation Award:
Finalists -
Robert Prestage, Bunbury
Jack Tinetti, Kalgoorlie.
Business Participation Award:
Finalists -
Tom Drinkwater, Armadale
Robert Prestage, Bunbury.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leadership Award:
Jack Trust, Kununurra
Vilma Webb, Busselton.
Minister's office - 9220 5050