Wa Seniors Awards 2015 Ceremony

WA SENIORS AWARDS 2015 CEREMONY

Acknowledging International Day of Older Persons Thursday 1 October

WA Seniors Awards 2015 is presented by the Council on the Ageing (WA) in partnership with the Department of Local Government and Communities

presented in partnership by: sponsored by Minister’s Message

It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the Western Australian Seniors Awards. I am proud of the partnership between the Department of Local Government and Communities and the Council on the Ageing Western Australia, which has enabled such important contributors to our community to receive the recognition they deserve. The annual WA Seniors Awards celebrate the often unsung older West Australians who do so much to improve our way of life and the lives of others in our community. They are an opportunity for Western Australia to say thank you for your generosity of spirit and wisdom and for your dedication to making a real difference. Community organisations and local governments are also recognised at these awards for their commitment to planning for Western Australia’s ageing population and addressing the needs and interests of seniors. The media plays an important role in informing and infl uencing public perceptions. The media category of the awards recognise journalists and press photographers, whose portrayal of seniors and ageing has positively infl uenced community attitudes to seniors and helped build respect between the generations. Thank you to the Western Australian Seniors Awards’ sponsors and supporters: Lotterywest, Juniper, 6PR, Crown Perth and Have a Go News. I also encourage everyone to get involved in Seniors Week 20152015,, which will be held fromfrom 8 to 15 November. Through State Government ffundingunding and supportsupport fromfrom Lotterywest,Lotterywest, a hugehuge range off eveeventsntts anandd acactivitiestiviities fforor senseniorsiiors aandndd ccelebratingellebbrating senseniorsiiors wwillill bbe hhappeningappeniing tthroughouthhroughhout WWesternestern AustraAustralia.lia. CoCongratulationsngratulations to all tthehe WesWesterntern AAustralianustralian SeniSeniorsors AwarAwardsds fi nalistsnalists.. I offeroffer youyou mymy bestbest wiwishesshes andand thanks.thanks.

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COTA WA’s Message

The WA Seniors Awards are a highlight of the seniors’ calendar, an opportunity to recognise and thank not only the fi nalists and awards winners, but also to acknowledge the tremendous contribution that so many seniors make to our community on a daily, weekly and yearly basis. The 2015 Awards are presented by COTA WA in partnership with the Department of Local Government and Communities and generously supported by our sponsors. This year we celebrate the awards on International Day of Older Persons, which is held annu- ally on October 1st. The theme of the 25th International Day of Older Persons: is Sustainability and Age Inclusiveness in the Urban Environment. Age inclusiveness is an important feature of the WA Seniors Awards - the participation and involvement of seniors in community life is what this is all about. 2015 marks the 30th anniversary of the WA Seniors Awards. The Awards theme, Love Later Life, is positive and optimistic. As grandparents, carers, mentors, community leaders, fundraisers, volunteers and in many and various other roles, seniors demonstrate ongoing dedication to making life a little better for the community. In doing so, they shrug off the negativity and pessimism that is all too often associated with ageing and make a contribution that cannot be measured in dollar terms. As the President of COTA WA and as a person who has worked with seniors for a long time, I am constantly amazed at the levels of energy, commitment, enthusiasm and contribution that I see and hear demonstrated by older people not only at the many events I attend but also in the many work environments in which I see seniors contribute. COTA WA’s Vision statement is of: An equitable, just and inclusive society in which older people can fl ourish, and I see that many seniors are fl ourishing and loving later life. Media plays an important role in presenting positive and constructive images of older people and the Deborah Kirwan Media Award recognises media that have made an important contribution that redresses some of the negativity towards ageing that pervades our culture. Deborah Kirwan was a strong voice, always challenging negative stereotypes and advocating for the power of positive and constructive media portrayal of seniors. Thank you all for being here today. Congratulations to the fi nalists for your achievements and being recognised for your outstanding achievements. Let’s Love Later Life!

Judy Hogben COTA WA President

2014 WA Seniors Awards winners Order of Proceedings Menu Welcome Sandwiches Ken Marston Master of Ceremonies Egg mayonnaise and chives Welcome to Country on country bread Opening Address Smoked salmon and caper on rye bread Hon Tony Simpson MLA Leg ham, gherkin butter on tomato bread Minister for Seniors and Volunteering Savoury Pastries Address Judy Hogben Angus pies, sausage rolls with tomato sauce COTA WA President Award Presentation Pastries and cakes Deborah Kirwan Media Award Strawberry tarts Community Senior Volunteer Award Chocolate éclair Intergenerational Award Nutella marquise Seniors Advocate Award Macaroons Age Friendly Community Award Warm sultana and plain scones with jersey Juniper WA Seniors Champion Award clotted cream and strawberry preserves Entertainment Refreshements Close Tea and Coffee Orange Juice Photographs

Message from Maureen Angus WA Seniors Champion 2014 WA Seniors Awards

The WA Seniors Awards are a wonderful platform from which to recognise the great work done by regular people in the community and I encourage all West Australians to get behind the awards and nominate a senior who contributes to making our State a better place to live. As winner of the Seniors Advocate Award and overall champion at the 2014 WA Seniors Awards, I was humbled and proud that the collective support and spirit shown in my small Aboriginal community of Ardyaloon (One Arm Point), and nearby Beagle Bay and Djarindjin, were recognised and highlighted. Seniors contribute so much to our communities, whether in the remotest Aboriginal community or the inner city of Perth. When I established my Kimberley community’s ﬁ rst care service, it was to help the elders with day-to-day tasks such as shopping, transport and paying bills. Awards were not a consideration but being nominated for, let alone winning, a WA Seniors Award was a great honour and provided a wonderful conﬁ rmation to our community that we are on the right path. I also encourage everyone to take part in the many fun activities and events that will be held to celebrate WA’s fantastic seniors as part of Seniors Week.

Maureen Angus A word from our sponsors

Juniper is proud to sponsor this year’s premier award for seniors and congratulates the awards’ convenors in achieving 30 years of celebrating older Western Australians. As a leading provider of aged care and community support services, Juniper has a long history of serving our seniors, having opened our doors to our fi rst residents in 1949. Since then we have grown to more than 1,600 staff and 500 volunteers who support more than 4,000 people in our retirement villages, home care programs and residential aged care services throughout the State ranging from Wyndham in the Kimberley to Albany in the Great Southern. As our population ages and demand for care and support services increases, we are doubling our response with some of the most forward-thinking services available. Our workforce contributes greatly to the wellbeing of seniors and the communities in which we serve. Our volunteers make an enormous difference to the work we do and without them our response would be signifi cantly diminished. The Juniper 2015 Seniors Champion Award recognises an outstanding senior for their commitment to Western Australian communities. Juniper acknowledges this spirit and the wonderful achievements of our seniors as we warmly congratulate all fi nalists and award winners of the WA Seniors Awards 2015.

Vaughan Harding Chief Executive

Have a Go News is proud to be associated with the 2015 WA Seniors Awards. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Awards program and also marks Have a Go News’ 24th anniversary. The paper prides itself in delivering quality lifestyle information to the mature market in Western Australia and promoting the many outstanding people who have been honoured in the Seniors Awards over the years. Each year we work in conjunction with Government, senior’s organisations and local business to promote the outstanding work that so many of our older adults provide in the WA community. This year we have been proud to work in conjunction with COTA WA to promote and organise the 2015 WA Seniors Awards. Have a Go News has embraced the digital revolution and can be found in hard copy, online in the digital edition and across social media. Like us on Facebook, read the paper on line at www.haveagonews.com.au or visit one of the 1,800 outlets across the state which distribute the paper. A word from our sponsors

With award-winning restaurants, two luxury hotels onsite, a 24 hour casino, 2,300 seat theatre, luxurious day spa, retail outlets and a world-class convention centre, Crown Perth offers true ﬁ ve-star international luxury right here in our home state of Western Australia. Having recently undergone a complete refurbishment, Crown Promenade has a refreshed new look and each of the 291 rooms have been redesigned with a vibrant new colour palette, new furnishings and contemporary ﬁ nishings. Crown is also excited to be constructing a new six-star, luxury hotel to be known as Crown Towers, which is expected to be complete in 2016. Crown Perth is delighted to be involved with the 2015 WA Seniors Awards as well as organisations that are committed to improving the quality of life for seniors.

Radio 6PR is delighted to once again be a sponsor of the WA Seniors Awards. We have a commitment to keeping listeners up-to-date with all the local, national and international news, current affairs and sport. 6PR operate live and local 24 hours a day, so you can listen and call us seven days a week at any time of the day. 6PR’s listeners have the opportunity to express their opinions to our high-proﬁ le broadcasters and guests on 9221 1882. You can ﬁ nd us online at www.6pr.com.au, 882 on the AM band or on digital radio.

Lotterywest is committed to building a better WA and working to enhance the quality of life and well-being for all Western Australians. Each week, Lotterywest gives Western Australians a chance to dream through playing a range of Lottery games where proceeds are given back to the community. Last ﬁ nancial year, Lotterywest raised over $283 million to support the WA community, which included support to thousands of community, local government and charitable organisations, as well as sporting organisations, arts and cultural groups and the State’s health services. Lotterywest is proud to support the Council on the Ageing WA with a grant to help stage the 2015 Seniors Awards and enable the attendance of regional ﬁ nalists. 2015 WA Seniors Awards judging

General panel 2015 WA Seniors Awards Judges Susan Gallacher Department of Local Government and Communities Judy Tennant Principal Policy Adviser Ofﬁ ce of the Minister for Local Government; Community Services; Seniors and Volunteering; Youth Kay Lunt Retired Department of Local Government and Communities Roley Myers Manager Communications & PR, Juniper Bettine Heathcote AM Vice President, COTA WA 2015 Deborah Kirwan media panel Judges Peter Kennedy Journalist and Seniors Ministerial Advisory Council representative Peter Kirwan Son of the late Deborah Kirwan AM Terry Spence Capitol Radio Craig Francis Department of Local Government and Communities

The Judging Process Thank you to all of our judges who generously volunteered their time to select this year’s fi nalists and winners. All entries for the WA Seniors Awards and Deborah Kirwan Media Awards were assessed and scored independently by nine judges on two separate panels. Each panel had a different group of awards to consider. Judges for each panel then met to decide on fi nalists and recipients of each category. The two panels were made up of representatives from sponsor organisations, community sector partners, the Department of Local Government and Communities and the WA media. The Juniper 2015 WA Senior Champion of the Year is chosen from a short-list of three fi nalists - the recipients of the Community Award and the Intergenerational Award and Seniors Advocate

Award.

2015 WA Seniors Awards Category Finalists

Deborah Kirwan Media Award Liam Croy, The West Australian In his eight stories about senior West Australians, Liam Croy writing for The West Australian’s Old Masters series, set out to challenge stereotypes about ageing and to portray WA seniors as contributing members of the community. The series generated much positive feedback and two of the ‘old masters’ went on to be featured on two separate episodes of Channel Seven’s Today Tonight. Liam gained an enduring impression from the eight seniors he interviewed which was their sense of humility. They didn’t see that what they were doing was anything special - it was something they had always done. He was also impressed by the inspiration and respect they engendered from those around them.

Frank Smith, Have a Go News Although he planned a physical retirement, which included bush walking and cycling, Frank Smith, who has degrees in both science and journalism, developed serious spinal health issues which severely impeded his mobility. To compensate for this immobility, he decided to pursue a career in journalism, working initially for The Countryman and Grapegrower and Winemaker publications and since 2007 with Have a Go News. During this time, he has contributed many positive articles on outstanding achievements by seniors in the community and explored issues related to them in the areas of health, welfare, the Australian Pension system and government policy. Frank also volunteers his time writing and editing for small publications.

Steve Butler, The West Australian Steve Butler has been a reporter for the Seven West Media group for almost 26 years in many and varied roles. They include being a senior political reporter in State Parliament, a senior football and general sport reporter and he is currently covering a variety of topics as the group’s Reporter At Large. Steve has a deep passion for telling the stories of our seniors, particularly for the way they are able to draw on their vast life experiences.

Deborah Kirwan Media Award Community Senior Volunteer Award Brother Olly Pickett With daily input and immense support from Brother Olly Pickett and the backing of The Christian Brothers, the Western Australian project, Wheelchairs for Kids was initiated in 1998. The longevity of the project and commitment of the volunteers speak of the qualities of Brother Olly, who works seven days a week and whose genuine interest in all volunteers creates an atmosphere of friendship in the workshop. The project, which is wholly voluntary including administration and production, enjoys the input of 170 local retirees who work part time in shifts to produce the wheelchairs. Involvement in Olly’s Wheelchairs for Kids project has addressed various seniors’ issues, in particularly social isolation and gives many older participants a sense of purpose.

Donald Watson Eighty four year old Don Watson believes that he is the beneﬁ ciary of his time spent volunteering, as it has kept his brain and body active. His community contribution resulted in 2010 in him being awarded the City of Cockburn’s Inspirational Volunteer of the Year award. Don’s love of life and passion for helping others helps to promote a positive view of seniors and has seen him volunteer in numerous areas of endeavour including lifelong learning – he was successful in initiating Seniors Computer Training - the establishment of the Cockburn Senior Centre and input into helping with the reproduction of both the Duyfken and Endeavour boats. Don also contributes to his community on a practical level as a volunteer driver and assisting residents at Lakeside Village where he is chairman. Intergenerational Award Intergenerational Award Peter Hilgendorf A life member of the Scarborough Surf Life Saving Club for special and outstanding service over 10 years and Assessor of the Year winner for 2014-15, Peter Hilgendorf, who joined the surf living saving movement in 1995, relates well with people of all generations, gives freely of his time to young people at his club to assist and mentor them with training in surf and ﬁ rst aid awards. Peter is an excellent ambassador for the club and leads by example participating in the Sunday weekly club swim encouraging younger members to take part. Peter’s ‘can do’ attitude and approachable attitude provides a role model for young members proving that age is no barrier and no task should be seen as too big or small a challenge. Brother Olly Pickett Brother Olly Pickett’s lifetime commitment as a teacher and mentor, to the welfare of young people, culminated in his Wheelchairs for Kids project. Aware of the need to offer medical support and help for disabled African children to become mobile, Olly’s passion to help children drove the instigation of Wheelchairs for Kids. In his professional and committed way, Olly approached AAMIG Aus- tralia Africa Mining Industry group – who provide holistic support for the Australian resource industry working in Africa and who seek to work positively with local communities - to offer the services of Wheelchairs for Kids. The respect and esteem in which AAMIG hold Olly have resulted in the company’s commitment to Wheelchairs for Kids with an invitation to attend an annual international African conference and the opportunity to build relationships and explore the delivery of wheelchairs to meet the needs of African children.

Seniors Advocate Award Susan Baile During the ﬁ ve years as co-ordinator of Wanslea’s Grandcare programme, which supports grandparents who have full time care of their grandchil- dren, Susan Baile has enhanced the wellbeing of hundreds of grandparents and the children in their care. Through her contacts with the Department of Human Services, Susan has helped countless members of the Grandcare programme to access their entitlements and therefore to become more ﬁ nancially secure. Susan takes every opportunity to promote issues for Grandcarers and to improve their wellbeing by successfully raising awareness of their needs through the media. As well, Susan’s promotion of volunteering in Wanslea Grandcare has seen the valued input of more than 30 active volunteers, mostly seniors, helping Grandcarers.

Associate Professor Christopher Etherton-Beer Christopher Etherton-Beer, an Associate Professor of Geriatric Medicine at The University of WA is also a geriatrician and clinical pharmacologist at Royal Perth, Swan Districts and Mercy Hospitals and others. The Associate Professor has spent his career enhancing the well-being of older people through the numerous positions he has held and the many research projects he has conducted into older people’s experiences in both a hospital and residential care setting. His research seeks to improve the quality of life for older people through education and avocation showing leadership in the advancement of the teaching of geriatric medicine both in Australia and internationally. Seniors Advocate Award Age Friendly Communities Award

City of Fremantle Independent Living Centre WA The City of Fremantle’s Age Friendly City Plan A not-for-profi t organisation staffed by health (AFCP) 2010-2015 promotes active ageing professionals, the Independent Living Centre (ILC) has spent 36 years helping people fi nd in the Fremantle city. The implementation of solutions to live independently at home. the AFCP led to the initiation of the One Stop During the past two years, ILC has Shop, initiated in 2008, a welcoming drop evidenced through research, the best way in facility for over 55s from all walks of life. Its to understand the needs of seniors to help 40 visitors a day are offered free refreshments them stay in their own homes. This research includes the utilisation of the ‘Smart Home’ and the opportunity to enjoy interaction with concept, the fi rst in WA to raise awareness of other seniors and participate in community life how home automation can make a difference through its programmes. to an individual’s independence and ability to Silverchain clients also attend the wide remain living safely at home. variety of activities offered by the One Stop The service is also provided at ILC Cockburn which enables consumers living Shop workshops which range from Laughter in the South West metropolitan corridor and Yoga and Scottish dancing to pasta making potentially the Peel area, access to the ‘Smart and health expos. Home’ concept.

Age Friendly Communities Award

The 2015 WA Seniors Awards is proudly presented by the Council on the Ageing (WA) in partnership with the Department of Local Government and Communities.

COTA WA Inc 61 Kitchener Avenue, Victoria Park WA 6100 PO Box 923, Victoria Park WA 6979 Ph: (08) 9472 0104 Fax: (08) 6161 8902 Email: [email protected] Visit www.cotawa.org.au