For more than 30 years, these important awards have celebrated the contributions and achievements of older Victorians who share their skills, time and energy with our community.
The awards ceremony in October is a highlight of the annual Victorian Seniors . The month-long celebration features free and low-cost events for older Victorians.
2026 nominations are open
Do you know an older person who volunteers their skills, time and energy to make a difference?
Nominate them today for the 2026 Victorian Senior of the Year Awards.
Whether it’s daily hands-on support or leading an organisation, there are many ways older people make a positive impact in our local communities.
Nominations close on Tuesday 19 May 2026.
How to nominate someone
There are 4 steps to complete a nomination:
- check the eligibility criteria
- choose an award category
- get approval from your nominee
- collect information.
Read the nomination guide to better understand the nomination process. Program information is available in 16 languages.
Award categories
The Victorian Senior of the Year Awards include 6 award categories:
- Council on the Ageing (COTA) Victoria Senior Achiever Awards – recognises local community champions that significantly contribute to positive ageing in their community.
- Emerging Impact Award – recognises an individual who is new to volunteering and is making a significant impact in their local community.
- Positive Ageing Award – recognises an individual who improves the wellbeing of older people in their community by promoting positive and active ageing.
- Promotion of Multiculturalism Award – recognises an individual for a significant contribution to promoting the benefits of cultural diversity in their local community and across Victoria.
- Veteran Community Award – recognises an individual for their exceptional contribution to the veteran community. The recipient of the award does not need to be a veteran.
- Premier’s Award for Victorian Senior of the Year – recognises an individual for their outstanding and lasting contribution to their local community and Victoria. This category is not open for nominations. Eligible nominations from all categories will be considered for this award.
Eligibility
Victorian Senior of the Year Awards nominees must be:
- a citizen or permanent resident of Australia
- a resident of Victoria
- 60 years or over, or an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person residing in Victoria aged 50 years or over.
For further information about eligibility, see the full terms and conditions in the nomination guide.
Category criteria and examples
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This category celebrates the local champions in your community. Think of the person who:
- connects people to opportunities
- drives your next-door neighbour to appointments every week
- always volunteers first for an organisation, purely to support the needs of your area.
Criteria
- How do they make a positive contribution to improving the lives of their local community members?
- How does their positive attitude towards ageing inspire others?
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This category celebrates older Victorians who are new to volunteering and making a positive impact. They could lead large organisations and community groups. They could also volunteer hands-on skills, knowledge and experience to help others.
The first recipient of this award volunteered at the Westmeadows Indigenous and Community Gardens. She created a fibre food garden and hosted walks to explore bush food and share her knowledge of Country.
Criteria
- How do they make a significant volunteer contribution to their community?
- How have they taken action to create or contribute to programs that are making a growing and potentially lasting impact?
- How do they share their skills, knowledge and experiences as a volunteer to strengthen their community?
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This category celebrates people who promote active and positive ageing.
In 2023, the recipient of this award had been volunteering at Blind Sports & Recreation Victoria for 9 years.
During that time, he advanced blind sports by:
- creating tournaments
- improving accessibility
- promoting blind golf through fundraising.
In 2024, the recipient received this award for her work through Family History Connections (FHC) Blackburn.
The recipient supported people to:
- keep their minds active
- learn computer research skills
- make friends with people with shared interests.
Criteria
- How have they contributed to creating an active community?
- How do their actions create long-lasting benefits for wellbeing in their community?
- How do they promote respect and recognition of older people?
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This category celebrates people who build connections across cultures and communities.
Recipients have helped older Victorians to age well through:
- activities like dancing, sports and cooking
- engaging with new programs and services
- connecting with the community.
Criteria
- How do they create a sense of community and connection across cultures?
- How do their volunteer contributions support the community?
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Award recipients for this category are either a veteran themselves or support the veteran community. They have run programs that:
- connect older veterans to community services
- boost local social engagement
- advocate for better veteran support.
The recipient of the award does not need to be a veteran.
Criteria
- How do they contribute to the veteran community?
- How do their actions make a long-lasting impact for veterans and/or their families?
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The Premier's Award for Victorian Senior of the Year is not open for nominations. Eligible nominations from all categories will be considered for this award.
Previous award recipients have influenced significant change in the state. This has not always been connected to positive ageing.
The 2024 award recipient co-founded the AustralAsian Centre for Human Rights and Health that advocated to include dowry abuse in the Family Violence Protection Act 2012.
Another recipient volunteered for 15 years at their neighbourhood house. They created a local op shop and organised food packages for farmers affected by drought in regional Victoria and New South Wales.
Criteria
- How do they make an outstanding and lasting contribution to their community and Victoria?
- How do their volunteer contributions make a long-lasting impact?
Celebrating past award recipients
‘Just because someone is ageing, it doesn't mean that they haven't got any ambition. Life doesn't stop then. In fact, that's when it can really kick in and get going.’ – Virginia, 2024 Victorian Senior of the Year Ageing Well Award recipient.
Read the stories of previous award recipients below or watch the highlights videos from the or Victorian Senior of the Year Awards ceremonies.
Contact
If you have a question about the awards, contact the Seniors Festival team via:
- phone: (03) 8850 6164
- email: seniorsfestival@dffh.vic.gov.au.
Translations and resources
Nomination guide
Program information
Reviewed 21 April 2026