In recognition of the contribution older people make in our community Indigo Shire Council is inviting nominations from the community to attend a reception at Government House in recognition of seniors.

Indigo Shire Council Mayor Cr Peter Graham said there were many worthy recipients of this recognition in the Shire and many of those people often went unnoticed.

He said this was a wonderful opportunity for friends and family to nominate someone in their lives who made a difference in their community or town.

“We have been allocated seven places at the Government House Reception and are now inviting nominations for seniors that have made significant contributions to their community to attend,” he said.

“These could be through a range of community organisations and groups from sporting clubs, RSL, Red Cross, community education, health or environmental work.

“It is vital we do not let the dedication and effort of our older population in the Shire go unrecognised and this will be a great event to say thanks for all their hard work.”

Governor of Victoria Professor David de Kretser, A.O and Mrs Jan de Kretser will host the reception for from 10.30 a.m. to 12pm on Friday 29 September 2006, to present the Premier’s Award for Victorian Senior of the Year and the Council on the Ageing (COTA) Victoria Senior Achiever Awards.

If you wish to nominate someone from your community, you will need to complete a Nomination Form and return it to Council by Friday August 11, 2006.

Nomination Forms are available at all Council Service Centres or by contacting Council on (03) 5728 8000.

If people have questions about the nomination process or the reception, feel free to contact Council’s Recreation and Community Development Coordinator Mr David Koren on (03) 5728 8031.

If Council receives more than seven nominations the representatives will be randomly selected.

Guidelines for nominations of seniors to attend reception:

• Senior Victorians for the purpose of the Premier’s Award for Victorian Senior of the Year and the Council on the Ageing (COTA) Senior Achiever Awards, are defined as being 60 years or older, not in full time employment. 
• Seniors nominated should have made, or be making, a valuable contribution to the community in a voluntary capacity. 
• Nominees should reflect a wide range of abilities and cultural backgrounds.
• Nominees should not have previously attended a Government House Reception for the Premier’s Award for Victorian Senior of the Year and the COTA Senior Achiever Awards.
• Nominees will need to make their own transport arrangements (Council may provide a community car if required).
• If the nominee is to be accompanied by his/her spouse or partner this is to be counted as two nominees - please indicate this on the form. 

Should a carer be required to attend with your nominees, please include the name and address of the carer on the nomination form.