21/8/02
Port Hedland senior and Aboriginal Elder Reverend Jack Braeside and Onslow's Laura Shannon will compete for the Northern Senior of the Year Award on September 2.
Seniors' Minister Sheila McHale said the finalists were selected from a quality field of entrants in this year's Western Australian Seniors' Awards, which attracted about 160 nominations.
"The awards acknowledge seniors' outstanding achievements in the community and promote positive, independent ageing," Ms McHale said.
"They also recognise services provided for seniors by individuals under the age of 60 years.
"The nominations highlighted seniors as a tremendous resource whose vitality, wealth of experience and wisdom are helping build stronger and more caring communities.
"Reverend Braeside's commitment to supporting Aboriginal communities and Laura Shannon's dedication to the Onslow community are inspiring role models for people of all ages."
There are five Regional Senior of the Year Awards: Northern; Southern; Mid-West; Goldfields; and Metropolitan. Winners receive a trophy and $250 prize money.
Winners in each of the five regions will compete for the prestigious BankWest WA Senior of the Year Award, which will be announced at a gala ceremony in Perth on October 27, the start of BankWest Seniors' Week 2002.
The Northern Senior of the Year Award presentation ceremony will be held at the Mercure Inn, Dampier, at 2.30pm on Monday, September 2. A list of finalists in the five regions and presentation dates are listed below. For further information contact Ms Katie James on 9380 0700.
The awards are organised by the Department for Community Development, through the Office for Seniors' Interests and Volunteering.
Proud sponsors of the WA Seniors' Awards 2002 include BankWest, GWN, Skywest, Western Hearing Services, Woolworths, The West Regional Newspaper Group - the official regional press sponsor, The West Australian, Have-a-Go News, WA Tourism Commission, Ambassador Hotel and Council on the Ageing WA.
Minister's office: 9213 6900
Regional Finalists.
Northern Senior of the Year Laura Shannon - Onslow
Reverend Jack Braeside - Port Hedland
Presentation: 1.45pm on Monday, September 2
Mercure Inn, The Esplanade, DAMPIER.
Mid-West Senior of the Year Mavis Bookham - Wyalkatchem
Betty Ford - Moonyoonooka
Presentation: 10.30am on Monday, September 9
Reception room, Geraldton Civic Centre, GERALDTON.
Goldfields Senior of the Year John Rees - Kalgoorlie
Olga Daws - Boulder
Presentation: 10am on Monday, September 16
Eastern Goldfields Community Centre, 13 Roberts Street, KALGOORLIE.
Southern Senior of the Year Allie Scott - Busselton
Elizabeth Walsh - Bridgetown
Presentation: 2pm on Monday, September 23
Reception room 6.3, Edith Cowan University, South-West campus, BUNBURY.
Metropolitan Senior of the Year Arthur Urquhart - South Perth
Johanna Lussenburg - Thornlie
Presentation: 10am on Wednesday, September 25
Function room, 1st floor, Curtin University Perth campus, 78 Murray Street, PERTH.
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