31/10/04
Walmajarri Elder Daisy Andrews from Fitzroy Crossing has been honoured with two awards including top honours in the 2004 WA Seniors Awards.
Seniors' Minister Sheila McHale today presented Mrs Andrews with the prestigious BankWest WA Senior of the Year Award and the category award for Arts and Culture during a gala ceremony at the close of BankWest Seniors Week today.
"Daisy Andrews is proof that you can achieve your dreams if you set your mind to it," Ms McHale said.
She is an inspiration to Western Australians of all ages.
"In the 1980s Mrs Andrews worked with members of her community to set up the Karrayili Adult Education Centre in the Fitzroy Valley, which has grown to become a real focal point for local people to gain valuable skills."
The Minister said Mrs Andrews was also an accomplished artist who had inspired a thriving arts scene in her district and was a strong advocate for retaining indigenous language and culture.
Ms McHale said category winners were: Dr Kenneth Collins for Community Service; Wenda Packard for Sport and Recreation; Jean Pigdon for Business Leadership; and Christine Gray for the Award of Excellence for service to seniors by an individual aged under 60.
Journalists Miranda Miller (Today Tonight) and Eloise Dortch (The West Australian) and the organisation Alzheimer's Australia WA Pty Ltd were winners in the Media Category.
"I congratulate all our winners, finalists and nominees in the 2004 WA Seniors Awards for their outstanding enthusiasm, commitment and drive," the Minister said.
As the 2004 BankWest WA Senior of the Year, Mrs Andrews received a $1,500 prize and trophy and category winners each received a $500 prize and trophy.
The WA Seniors Awards are co-ordinated annually by the Office for Seniors' Interests and Volunteering.
Sponsors of the 2004 WA Seniors Awards are BankWest, Hollywood Private Hospital, Woolworths Supermarkets, The Sunday Times, Channel Nine Perth, Radio 6PR, WIN Television, The Western Australian Senior and Council on the Ageing (WA).
Minister's office: 9213 6900
2004 WA SENIORS AWARDS WINNERS:
BANKWEST SENIOR OF THE YEAR 2004 Winner:Mrs Daisy Andrews of Fitzroy Crossing
Walmajarri elder Daisy Andrews has inspired a culture of lifelong learning among Aboriginal people in the Fitzroy Valley. In 1982 she was instrumental in setting up the Karrayili Adult Education Centre in Fitzroy Crossing. The centre has grown to become a registered training organisation offering courses in literacy, numeracy, driver education, business, art and health. A celebrated artist herself, Mrs Andrews has also helped set up a thriving arts centre and the Wangkiyupurnanupurru Radio Station.
COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD Winner:Dr Kenneth Collins of Mount Claremont
As a high-ranking member of Rotary International, 67-year-old Mount Claremont doctor Kenneth Collins has overseen projects to vastly improve the quality of life of residents in many developing countries. Dr Collins has volunteered in refugee camps in Asia, assisted the worldwide effort to end the polio virus, and worked on projects to improve sanitation and provide shelters, safe drinking water and hospital equipment.
Highly commended:Dr Patrick Cranley of Wembley
Mrs Laura Tolliday of Morley
SPORT AND RECREATION AWARD Winner:Mrs Wenda Packard of Ardross
Twenty years ago, Wenda Packard from Ardross established Prime Movers Inc, a non-profit organisation dedicated to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and outlook for people over the age of 50. As chief instructor, 66-year-old Mrs Packard conducts daily aerobics classes, holds workshops, trains new instructors and organises demonstrations in local shopping centres. There are now more than 3,700 Prime Movers members united by the unofficial motto 'fun, friendship and fitness in a welcoming environment'. The classes are helping seniors increase flexibility and stamina with exercises suited to mature bodies.
Finalists:Mr Frank Kocsis of Bicton
Mr Robert Sutherland of Geraldton
ARTS AND CULTURE AWARD Winner:
Mrs Daisy Andrew of Fitzroy Crossing
Walmajarri Elder and celebrated artist Daisy Andrews has inspired a flourishing arts scene in the Fitzroy Valley. She helped set up the successful Mangkaja Arts Centre, a thriving business whose artists now exhibit nationally and overseas. Mrs Andrews has also driven arts education in the region, and earlier this year saw local arts and crafts students feature a sculpture in the Perth International Arts Festival. Mrs Andrews, a keen advocate for retaining indigenous culture and language, also created the Wangkiyupurnanupurru Radio Station.
Finalists:Mr John Christmass of Mount Nasura
Mr Arthur Hartley of Floreat
BUSINESS LEADERSHIP AWARD Winner:Mrs Jean Pigdon of Cue
Cue's Jean Pigdon has been a mainstay of the town's business community for nearly half a century and has seen the district through boom times and lean years. Over the years, Mrs Pigdon and the general store she began with her late husband Bill have provided a variety of important services, from flights to banking, prescriptions, groceries and clothes. During difficult times she has been a great support to local miners and pastoralists. Always ready for a friendly chat, Mrs Pigdon is now reinventing her vintage shop as a tourist attraction.
Finalist:Mrs Florence Cuthbertson of Innaloo
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE Winner:Mrs Christine Gray of Dianella
Christine Gray of Dianella is passionate about working with seniors and promoting the experience, wisdom and value of older people. Beginning as a volunteer in 1995, Mrs Gray has worked for the School Volunteer Program Inc for the past eight years. The program pairs students having difficulty coping at school with senior and retiree mentors who provide companionship and guidance. In her co-ordination and management role Mrs Gray has spurred the program on to include 209 schools and more than 2,000 active senior volunteers, and is committed to supporting the volunteers to reach their goals.
Highly commended:Dr Keryln Carville of East Fremantle
Mrs Susan McKinnel of Currambine
MEDIA AWARD Winner (Electronic):Ms Miranda Miller, Today Tonight, for the piece 'Senior workers'.
Highly commended:Mr David De Vos and Mr Daniel Brown, George Negus Tonight, for the piece 'Olly's wheelchairs'.
Winner (Print):Ms Eloise Dortch, The West Australian, for the story 'Veteran strikes chord with young players'.
Highly commended:Mr Paul McGovern, Post Newspapers for the story 'Log on for some friendship'.
Mr Andrew Ritchie, Stirling Times for the photograph 'Polar bears thrive at Scarborough'.
Winner (Advertising):Alzheimer's Australia WA Ltd for the press campaign 'Living with dementia'.
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