Mr Suggett won the Premier's Award for Victorian Senior of the Year at Government House on October 11 and said he was blown away by the recognition.

"I'm staggered by the whole thing," Mr Sugget told The Standard.

Mr Suggett established and has led the Warrnambool Parkinson's Support Group since 2009 and has cultivated an inclusive environment for people to discuss their experiences and build support networks for others in a similar situation.

He was diagnosed with Parkinson's 23 years ago at 57 and said at the time he felt somewhat lost and lonely.

"I didn't know where to go or what to do," he said.

"Now we've been able to get rid of that loneliness.

"The support group has really become a social group. We can get together and also look after each other."

Mr Suggett and his wife Betty were joined in Melbourne by their three children and a number of grandchildren.

"I know it's a hackney phrase when it comes to family but my wife has been my best friend for 60-plus years," he said.

"My kids and grand kids will come from Melbourne and Geelong for the Parkinson's Walk on Sunday.

"I've always got great support around me.

"I'm still in shock but I'm very proud."

Mr Suggett also played a pivotal role in creating Painting with Parkinson's, Exercise for Parkinson's activities and initiatives, and ParkinSong - a fortnightly therapeutic group singing intervention developed by music therapists and speech pathologists.

He is also the chair of the Warrnambool Combined Health Support Network, consisting of a range of groups that bring people together to socialise and enjoy the best quality of life possible.

From 2011 to 2017, Mr Suggett served on the Board of Parkinson's Victoria (now Fight Parkinson's), where he oversaw work to incorporate the latest research and treatment practices in regional Victoria. This was made possible through his willingness to make the 520-kilometre round trip to Melbourne for board meetings.

Mr Suggett joined the Warrnambool Rotary Club in 1980 and became one of the charter members of the new Rotary Club of Warrnambool Daybreak when it was formed in 1998.

As well as maintaining his involvement in Rotary, he was Rotary Club of Warrnambool Daybreak president from 2000 until 2001 and in 2006 he became District Governor, a role that saw him travel to Rotary Clubs from Geelong to Mt Gambier.

He was the inaugural chair of the Warrnambool Rotary House project, which saw the creation of a 12-unit facility for families and carers of South West Healthcare patients.

The Premier's Award for Victorian Senior of the Year recognises an outstanding contribution made by an individual to their local community and the awards are presented as part of the Victorian Seniors Festival.

Minister for Ageing Ingrid Stitt said the Victorian Senior of the Year Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of older Victorians and give us the chance to say thanks for all they do.

"I congratulate all award recipients and nominees," she said.

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