NINE Warrnambool seniors have been honoured during the annual Victorian Seniors Festival.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Each of the nominees were recognised for their community contributions during the 10-day Celebrage events held in October.
William Smail
Bill has a loved one who is very young to be living in care at Lyndoch but from the day she was admitted he has been visiting twice a day, every day. Bill decided to become a volunteer at Lyndoch Living so he could give more to other residents living in care, helping with weekly breakfasts, barbecues and other special occasions.
Bill is described as a wonderful person with a great sense of humour, a huge heart and a wonderful outlook on life.
Bryan and Carole O’Meara
Bryan and Carole are regular volunteers at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, the Warrnambool Senior Citizens Club and Premier Speedway.
The pair offer their time regularly to community groups and are described as friendly and helpful.
Cynthia Dunne
Cynthia performs for elder people in residential care and day care centres once a week throughout the year and as a pianist and tutor at the Archie Graham Community Centre on Fridays.
Cynthia is described as ‘the real deal’ when it comes to community music.
Glen Riddle
Glen is a trained volunteer for Warrnambool and District Community Hospice where he assists families caring for a dying relative at home.
He has been a member of the Rotary Club of Warrnambool East for more than 10 years, initiating projects for disabled members of the community.
His dry sense of humour endears him to all and he is respected as someone of good standing wherever he goes.
Janet MacDonald
Janet is an effective communicator and is often the ‘go to’ person in organisations as other members seek her advice and guidance. She has excellent broad general knowledge and uses sound process when making decisions that preserve or develop community assets.
Janet continues to support young people in public speaking through volunteering her time to coach them to develop their skills and she coordinates sections of the Warrnambool Eisteddfod and Legacy Public Speaking Competitions.
Jim Finnerty
Jim volunteers his time to lead cycling and walking groups each day of the week. He is the volunteer ride organiser for the Social Cyclists and a walk organiser for the Warrnambool Senior Citizens Club walking group.
He does monthly maintenance sessions on the Warrnambool to Port Fairy Rail Trail and along the Mount Abrupt track in the Grampians National Park.
His mix of friendliness, reliability and relaxed leadership has helped keep hundreds of people active and socially connected in their retirement.
Pat Varley
Speaking with Pat is an encounter with wisdom and grace. Conversation comes easily to Pat as she is warm, interested in other people and has broad interests. Her passions include education, gardening and protection of heritage assets. Pat is in her ninth decade of life and currently holds a membership with several local groups and professional establishments.
Pat has championed many causes relating to the Gardens and effectively lobbied Warrnambool City Council to employ a fully qualified curator.
Robert Lowe Snr
Peek Whurrong elder Robert Lowe Senior's contribution to building respectful relationships and confidence in a shared future for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in Warrnambool cannot be overstated. He has a quiet generosity, kindness and skill for sharing stories, knowledge and cultural awareness.
Rob volunteers his time to work with people from across the community and has contributed at kinders, primary, secondary and tertiary level schools and institutions, community groups, Warrnambool City Council, Wannon Water, Warrnambool Art Gallery and the Clontarf Academy.
Rob Lowe Senior was awarded a Council of the Aging Award at a prestigious event at Government House in Melbourne earlier this month for his contributions to culture-sharing within the community.