The Victorian Senior of the Year Awards are presented annually each October. Nominations for the awards this year close on Friday 28 July.
The Victorian Senior of the Year Awards recognise the volunteer work and contributions to community life of older Victorians.
This year the award categories include:
- Premier’s Award for Victorian Senior of the Year
- Promotion of Multiculturalism Award
- Healthy and Active Living Award
- Veteran Community Award
- Ageing Well Award
- COTA (Council on the Ageing) Victorian Senior Achiever Awards for up to 10 individuals.
The Awards recognise and celebrate older Victorians who share their skills, experience, time, and energy making a difference to community wellbeing through volunteering and inspire others with their positive attitude to ageing.
Marie Pietersz received the Promotion of Multiculturalism Award at the 2022 Victorian Senior of the Year Awards for her work promoting cultural diversity though music and dance.
Marie, who migrated to Australia from Sri Lanka in 1972, has been an active volunteer helping people build their skills, have fun, and stay connected through music and dance.
One of Marie’s initiatives was to start line-dancing classes for refugees and aged care residents. People participating in Marie’s classes enjoy music, company and dance while improving their ability to stay active and gain social confidence.
Marie believes volunteering is crucial, particularly from the self-satisfaction it brings when participants credit her classes for transforming their lives.
“I have learnt so much in life. Giving something back and imparting your knowledge to the next generation is very important.
“I have been volunteering for 20 years, and it felt amazing to win this award, particularly at Government House,” says Marie.
Who is your community hero?
Beyond the dedicated Promotion of Multiculturalism Award, we encourage nominations of seniors from migrant and refugee communities across all categories for the outstanding volunteer work they do supporting and inspiring our diverse communities.
Nominations for the awards close on Friday 28 July 2023. Nominate an older Victorian who makes a valuable difference for the 2023 Victorian Senior of the Year Awards here.
This article was published in the
Winter 2023 edition of Golden Years.