Rhonda Parker

Rhonda Parker

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    The Mid-West region to have its own Senior of the Year

    4/08/1999 3:26 PM
     
    4/8/99


      The Mid-West region will have its own Senior of the Year in an expansion of the annual Seniors Award announced by Seniors Minister Rhonda Parker.

      In calling nominations for the award, Mrs Parker said the Mid-West Senior of the Year would compete against winners from the North, Goldfields, South and Metropolitan areas for the title of 1999 WA Senior of the Year.

      “The expansion of the annual award in this year’s International Year of Older Persons reflects the Government’s commitment to acknowledge the important role seniors play in regional Western Australia,” Mrs Parker said.

      “Older people contribute to our community in countless ways as workers, mentors, family carers and volunteers and deserve acknowledgment.

      “The Awards aim to inspire and encourage Western Australians to recognise the vital role seniors play in their local communities.”

      Seniors, that is those aged 60 or more, can be nominated in four categories:
        • Seniors Community Services Award;
        • Seniors Sport and Recreation Award;
        • Seniors Arts and Culture Award; and -
        • Seniors Business Leadership Award.
      Nominations in each of these categories will compete for the new Regional Senior of the Year.

      The other categories in the 1999 Seniors Awards Program are:
        • Award of Excellence open to people under the age of 60 years as of June l, 1999 who have undertaken significant service for seniors;
        • Exceptional Organisation Award for businesses and organisations that provide outstanding benefits to seniors; and -
        • Seniors Card Quality Business Award; a new award open to businesses who participate in the Seniors Card discount program.
      “Cash prizes will be made for the first time in the history of the Awards. The winners in each category will receive a cash prize of $500, the winners of the Regional Seniors of the Year Award will receive $1,000 and the Senior of the Year $2000,” Mrs Parker said.

      “Last year's awards attracted a record number of country nominations which shows the community's strong support for greater recognition of the valuable contribution older people make to regional Western Australia.”

      With the added cash incentives and a focus on the International Year of Older Persons in 1999, organisers are expecting an even greater number of nominations.

      The Regional Senior of the Year Awards will be announced at a regional ceremony to be held on October 6, 1999 at Bunbury’s Lord Forrest Hotel.

      Category winners and the 1999 WA Senior of the Year will be announced at a gala ceremony on November 5, 1999 at The Duxton Hotel in Perth.

      To obtain a nomination form, contact the Office of Seniors Interests on 1800 671 233.

      Information flyers are available from Bankwest, the RAC, Woolworths supermarkets, the Body Shop, public libraries and Project Mainstreet.

      Nominations close 4pm Friday September 3, 1999.

      Media contact: Owen Cole 9481 7810