Wa Seniors Awards 2015 Ceremony
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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 2015,2015, 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 WesternWestern Australia.Australia. CongratulationsCongratulations to all tthehe WesWesterntern AAustralianustralian SeniSeniorsors AwarAwardsds fi nalistsnalists.. I offeroffer youyou mymy bestbest wisheswishes andand thanks.thanks. HonHon TonyToony SimpsonSimpsson MLAMLA MinisterMinistere forfor SeniorsSeniors andand VolunteeringVolunteering 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.