Victorian Senior of the Year Awards
The Victorian Senior of the Year Awards are our chance to celebrate the many senior Victorians who share their skills, experience, time, and energy with our state.
The Victorian Senior of the Year Awards are presented annually each October as part of the Victorian Seniors Festival. For more than 20 years, the Victorian Senior of the Year Awards have recognised the volunteer work and community contributions of older Victorians.
By nominating a deserving person, you can help make sure the outstanding contributions of senior Victorians are recognised.
Many 2021 recipients were nominated for stepping up to support the community during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as for their long-standing volunteer roles.
There are six categories of awards:
- Premier’s Award for Victorian Senior of the Year for an outstanding contribution by an individual to their local community and Victoria.
- Promotion of Multiculturalism Award to an individual for a significant contribution to promoting the benefits of cultural diversity in their local community or in the broader community.
- Healthy and Active Living Award to an individual for helping to create active and healthy communities through community involvement and as a role model.
- Veteran Community Award to an individual for an exceptional contribution to the veteran community. The recipient of the award does not need to be a veteran.
- Ageing Well Award to an individual who has worked to combat ageism, promote social justice and engaged with their community to support ageing well initiatives.
- COTA (Council on the Ageing) Victoria Senior Achiever Awards to up to 10 individuals for significant contributions to local communities and Victoria.
Eligibility and selection criteria:
Senior of the Year Awards nominees must be an Australian citizen, a resident of Victoria and aged 60 years or over. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Victorians aged 50+ are eligible to be nominated.
Nominees will be assessed on their volunteer contribution and achievements since reaching the age qualifying them for nomination.
Nominees are assessed on these selection criteria:
- How they make a difference to community well-being through volunteering
- Their good standing in the community
- How their positive attitude to ageing inspires