Nominations open for 2009 NSW Seniors Week Achievement Awards

Release date: 18 August 2008

Nominations are now open for the 2009 NSW Seniors Week Achievement Awards program.

The awards ceremony is a major part of NSW Seniors Week celebrations and this year, 60. State award winners were recognised for their contributions.

There are six award categories:

• Business Mentoring;
• Community Service/Volunteering;
• Education/Lifelong Learning;
• Environment/Science;
• Health and Wellbeing; and
• Intergenerational Understanding.

An independent panel, including representatives from seniors’ groups, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and culturally diverse communities assess all nominations.

Nominees must be residents of NSW aged at least 60 years or 50 years if an Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander or having a lifelong disability. Organisations being nominated must contribute to seniors’ initiatives in NSW.

Nomination forms are available from the NSW Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care website: www.nswseniorsweek.com.au or by phoning the Seniors Information Service on 131 244.

Nominations close 26 September 2008, with the winners announced during 2009. Seniors Week will be held from 15-22 March next year.

Up to 60 winners will be formally recognised for their contributions to the community at a ceremony in Sydney, on Monday, 16 March 2009.

The NSW Minister for Ageing, Kristina Keneally, said the awards were a major part of NSW Seniors Week celebrations and an opportunity to celebrate and reward the enormous and diverse contributions seniors across NSW made to their local communities every day.

"I encourage everyone in NSW to nominate an organisation or a senior they know who should be recognised for outstanding achievements," Ms Keneally said.

Media Contact: Melissa Driscoll 02 8270 2459