Victorian Senior of the Year is…
Dedicated Geelong volunteer Pat Smith was recently named as the Victorian Senior of the Year at a special awards ceremony to kick start the 2013 Victorian Seniors Festival.
Dedicated Geelong volunteer Pat Smith was recently named as the Victorian Senior of the Year at a special awards ceremony to kick start the 2013 Victorian Seniors Festival.
Minister for Ageing, David Davis, presented 14 awards honouring the extraordinary contribution of inspirational senior Victorians during the 2013 Victorian Senior of the Year Awards at Government House.
Eighty year old, Pat Smith, of Highton, (pictured with Minister Davis), devotes an enormous amount of volunteer time to Uniting Care Geelong.
She was honoured for her pastoral care and support for vulnerable people, coordination of emergency relief support and for establishing the Education Assistance Program (EAP).
EAP helps vulnerable students and their families to ensure the students continue schooling. The program assisted 437 students in 2012/13.
“Pat is a person with great compassion and is a leading light within the Geelong community,” Minister Davis said.
“Within the Geelong schools network, she is known as the person to turn to when seeking to help a young person continue their education.”
He added that the awards honour the remarkable achievements of senior Victorians and highlight the benefits of ageing well and keeping active, healthy and involved in the community.
“Seniors from across Victoria are recognised for their inspiring volunteer work, talents and achievements, as well as encouraging active lifestyles and promoting cultural diversity,” Mr Davis said.
Mr Davis said the awards are a fitting launch for the 2013 Victorian Seniors Festival, which this year boasts a jam packed program with more than 1,000 events throughout October.
For more information on the 2013 Victorian Seniors Festival and for a full list of award recipients visit www.seniorsonline.vic.gov.au
