26/10/03
Bunbury resident Dorothy Sullivan was named BankWest WA Senior of the Year for her work of 30 years with the Bunbury Meals on Wheels service.
Seniors' Minister Sheila McHale made the announcement today at a ceremony to mark the start of BankWest Seniors' Week.
"Dorothy recognised a real need to provide meals to the aged and people with disabilities in the 1950s and she set up the Bunbury Meals on Wheels service," Ms McHale said.
"Since then, she has willingly devoted her time and energy to the benefit of the local community.
"Still an active member of the Board of Meals on Wheels, she has seen the service grow from a wood stove and 12 meals a day to gas ovens, freezers, hot water and the supply of more than 120 meals a day."
Dorothy also has been actively involved with the Hospital Comfort Fund since 1958, enlisting the goodwill of local traders and wholesalers to raise money for much-needed equipment for the Bunbury Hospital.
Ms McHale said Dorothy was one of 130 worthy nominees in this year's WA Seniors' Awards, which recognise the valuable contributions seniors make to our community in all walks of life.
Mrs Sullivan also won the Community Service Award category.
Other WA Seniors' Award category winners were: Laura Tolliday, Cottesloe, for her contribution to Sport and Recreation; Valma Burton, for Arts and Culture; and Mary Gadsden, for Business Leadership.
The Award of Excellence, which recognises outstanding service to seniors by individuals under the age of 60 years, went to Maria de Silva, of West Leederville, for her commitment to multicultural interests and aged care.
Pam Casellas, a journalist at The West Australian, won the inaugural Media Award category for her article entitled 'Dawn of a new age', which highlighted the need for policies and services that would meet the needs of our ageing population.
Category winners received a trophy and $250 prize money. BankWest WA Senior of the Year Dorothy Sullivan received a trophy and $500 prize money.
The WA Seniors' Awards are a State Government initiative organised by the Office for Seniors' Interests and Volunteering through the Department for Community Development.
Sponsors of the 2003 WA Seniors' Awards are: GWN, BankWest, Hollywood Private Hospital, Western Hearing Services, Woolworths, The West Australian, the West Australian Newspapers Regional Division (the official regional press sponsor), Channel Seven Perth, 882 6PR and Council on the Ageing (WA).
Background information on the winners follows.
2003 WA SENIORS' AWARD WINNERS
BankWest WA Senior of the Year - Dorothy Sullivan (85), Bunbury -
Dorothy (or Doll as she is affectionately known in the Bunbury community) has been an active and compassionate advocate for the aged and infirm for 45 years. In 1958 Dorothy joined the Hospital Comfort Fund, an organisation aimed at making hospital stays more enjoyable, and her fundraising efforts saw much needed equipment secured for the local Bunbury hospital. With a small band of volunteers and the support of local businesses, she established the Bunbury Meals on Wheels, where she has cooked and delivered meals to needy individuals for the past 30 years. Her reputation and tireless efforts in fund raising campaigns are legendary in the region.
Community Service Award - Dorothy Sullivan, Bunbury -
Sport and Recreation Award - Laura Tolliday, Cottesloe -For more than 50 years, Laura Tolliday has been committed to working with people of all ages and abilities to build inclusive communities. She founded the Intergenerational Advisory Network to promote closer relationships between the generations, piloted the SHARK program aimed at helping young people 'at risk' and was an active board member of the School Volunteer Program. Laura is currently a full-time volunteer with the Positive Ageing Foundation of Australia, where she developed the game of Lifeball. It is a competitive, walking ball game. Laura's enthusiasm and drive has helped people of all ages to actively participate in community life and improve their quality of life.
Art and Culture Award - Valma Burton, Broome -Val is a longstanding and respected member of the Broome community. In her role as President of the Broome Historical Museum she has dedicated more than 22 years to the preservation of the region's colourful history and culture. She is actively involved in many other groups and clubs and holds the record for the longest serving member of the Broome Lioness Club. Inspired by a recent trip to Vietnam, Val initiated the 'Fill a Boot to Make a Leg' campaign to assist victims of land mines through the collection of aluminium can tops that could be
rendered down into prostheses. Val is an
energetic and committed member of her local community and an inspiration to all ages.
Business Leadership Award - Mary Gadsden, Bayswater -Mary has devoted more than 25 years to promoting the needs and interests of women and strongly advocating on their behalf. She has been a member, secretary and convenor of the Women's Electoral Lobby and dedicated her working life to the Women's Information Service. Mary was one of six original members of this service, which began in 1984 to provide information and advocacy for women of all ages. At age 70, Mary continues to play a vital role in the organisation, empowering women through the provision of information on a diverse range of issues and referring them to State and national information resources.
Award of Excellence - Maria de Silva, West Leederville -Maria's commitment to multicultural interests and aged care demonstrates a tremendous compassion and devotion to seniors' welfare and well-being. She works tirelessly to provide a harmonious and positive environment for indigenous and ethnic older people to give them a greater sense of identity and belonging. Her work with the Dutch Australia Community Service and as former chair of the Ethnic Communities Council demonstrates her strong advocacy and lobbying on behalf of multicultural seniors. Maria is also responsible for establishing the pilot program for the Dutch Meals on Wheels service, enriching the lives of housebound and lonely seniors by providing familiar foods and Dutch conversation.
Media Award - Pam Casellas, The West Australian,
'Dawn of a new age' -Pam Casellas's article previewing the Sixth Global Conference on Ageing, 'Maturity Matters', was of pivotal significance on a number of levels. For the makers and implementers of public policy it laid core facts on the line in a clear, unambiguous and powerful form. It highlighted the urgency of updating policies relating to older people and rang a warning bell about the costs of a rapidly ageing population unless attitudes and policies changed.
For seniors, it painted a context in which they could see themselves more accurately, both as individuals and as a category within the total population. Pam's article was an outstanding example of journalism and a superior piece of writing.
Minister's office: Priscilla Fouracres on 9213 6900
For contacts details of winners and runners-up: Judith Quinn on 9380 0700
