The Victorian Senior of the Year Awards ceremony took place at Government House on Thursday 24 October 2024. Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Ageing Ingrid Stitt MP joined the Lieutenant-Governor of Victoria, Professor James Angus AO, to present the awards.
Premier’s Award for Victorian Senior of the Year
Prof. Manjula Datta O’Connor
After working as a psychiatrist for 25 years, Manjula’s drive led her to pursue meaningful change in the prevention of family violence.
In 2012, after years teaching and researching the roots of family violence in India, Manjula co-founded the AustralAsian Centre for Human Rights and Health (ACHRH). Under her leadership, ACHRH led research projects and community events that broke the silence in Australia on dowry abuse. Manjula’s petition to include dowry abuse in the Family Violence Protection Act 2012 was tabled in the Victorian Parliament by Former Premier Ted Bailleu.
Her ongoing commitment, insight and passion has left an incredible legacy, with Victoria being the first state in Australia to enact anti-dowry legislation. In 2017, her work helped to trigger a Federal Senate committee inquiry into dowry abuse in Australia. Recent amendments to the Federal Family Law Amendment Act 2023 include dowry abuse as economical abuse.
Manjula works with victim-survivors and advocates for them to governments and government bodies. She has also enhanced the visibility of mental health impacts of family violence.
This year, Manjula was inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll of Women as a Change Agent.
Promotion of Multiculturalism Award
Chidambaram Swami Srinivasan (Srini)
Since moving to Melbourne in 1980, Srini has become a respected community leader and a passionate advocate for increasing opportunities for multicultural communities. As a Commissioner at the Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC) from 2011–2017, Srini engaged with the community and contributed to a range of research projects, submissions and roundtables on important issues.
Srini was a member of the South Asian Communities Ministerial Advisory Committee from 2018–2020 and the Indian Cultural Precinct Committee in 2018. He helped develop the Victorian Government's Victoria's India Strategy: Our Shared Future in 2018, to strengthen Victoria’s engagement with India.
Srini is always ready to help people in need. He opened his home to three newly arrived migrant families for 2 to 3 months to help them settle in Australia.
Healthy and Active Living Award
Gail White
After a 30-year career as a librarian, Gail continues to share her passion for lifelong learning through volunteering.
Through Family History Connections (FHC) Blackburn, Gail has supported over 2,000 people to keep their minds active, learn computer research skills and make friends with people with shared interests. As President of FHC for the last decade, Gail has engaged with various groups including Rotary, Probus and local libraries to encourage participation and continual learning.
Gail has also volunteered with Friends of the Boroondara Cemetery, Knox Gardens for Wildlife, and Open Gardens Victoria.
Veteran Community Award
Bruce Turner
Since joining the Rosebud RSL in 1986, Bruce has provided ongoing service to the club and the wider veteran community.
Over 28 years, Bruce has supported thousands of veterans and widows as a Senior Compensation Advocate for the Victoria State Branch of the RSL. His experience is called upon across the state and throughout the country.
Bruce has also maintained his role as the Senior Welfare Officer in Rosebud, where he and his team of volunteers have provided thousands of hours of support.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Bruce was directly responsible for the care provided to veterans, war widows, staff and members in the Rosebud area. This support included meals, vouchers, and calls to ensure their wellbeing.
Ageing Well Award
Virginia Mack
Virginia is a dedicated volunteer with many years of experience supporting people to transition from prison to the community, helping to break the cycle of reoffending.
Through her volunteering with Anglicare programs, Virginia has supported people of all ages to access emergency relief, connect with services and enjoy a friendly chat at a drop-in centre.
Virginia’s commitment to walking alongside offenders post-release helps to create a healthier, more connected community for all of us.
Council on the Ageing (COTA) Victoria Senior Achiever Awards
Mel Boak
Mel is driven in his commitment to serving the community, particularly in support of people with disability and people experiencing disadvantage.
Since 1999, Mel has volunteered for 8 organisations, including two long-term roles at the Banyule L2P Learner Driver Mentor Program and LINK Community & Transport. In his 16 years as a volunteer driver with LINK Community & Transport, Mel has helped hundreds of people to access vital services while improving their access to social connection.
Through caring for his daughter with disability before her early passing, Mel and his wife have used their experience to provide support and guidance for fellow parents of children living with disability. Mel has also volunteered as Treasurer at the Kalparrin Centre and with the MS Society Community Visitors Scheme.
Ken Briscoe
Ken is a dedicated volunteer who helps to bring adult education and the preservation of local history to Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.
Ken has been a member of the Nunawading U3A since 2014. In 2018, Ken joined the Course Administration team, which manages the day-to-day running of classes for all members. Now also holding the role of Nunawading U3A Vice President, Ken’s support over the past decade has contributed to an almost tripling of members at Nunawading U3A to over 2,800 members, bringing more opportunities for learning to the community.
Ken is also a committee member and Archivist for the Ringwood and District Historical Society, positions he has held for 9 years.
Janet Clark
Janet is a hands-on and innovative volunteer who supports several charities and organisations across Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs.
Janet lives with an ongoing illness, but she does not let it impact her commitment to helping others.
Janet volunteers at the Keysborough Learning Centre’s Open Door emergency food relief program. Since joining Open Door, Janet has helped to expand the support available, inspired fellow volunteers and created a friendly and supportive space for people in need. Janet has also set up an arrangement for any unused clothes and household items to be recycled.
Jack Cooper
For his whole life, Jack has dedicated his time and energy to helping people and organisations in the Mordialloc area.
Jack is the last of the charter members of the Rotary Club of Mordialloc, formed in 1971, where he has held most Club committee positions. Jack served as President and has received 7 Paul Harris Fellowship Awards for exceptional service.
In 1975, Jack initiated an art show to promote the work of local artists and raise funds. The art show ran for over 40 years.
Jack and his family have hosted exchange students from 8 different countries.
In 2012, Jack was an instrumental member of the committee that started the popular local Gnome and Fairy Festival for young children. The festival features exhibits, local talent and stalls where organisations can raise funds and awareness.
Peter Cribb
Peter has volunteered his experiences to support communities close to home and abroad as part of his involvement in a range of organisations.
A long-term member of the Rotary Club of Kensington, Peter has supported projects to ship recycled playgrounds, educational materials and medical supplies to disadvantaged countries. He also instigated the Club’s op shop and established a driving school for residents of the Flemington Housing State.
In his local area, Peter is known for his commitment to supporting children and families from Ethiopian, Eritrean, Somali and Sudanese communities as a tutor and mentor.
A career mathematician and university lecturer, Peter’s passion for education continues through his efforts to support children and families from diverse backgrounds to build their maths and language skills.
John Dowdle
For over 55 years, John has served his local community in Banyule.
John has been involved in Scouts for 6 decades as a leader and commissioner.
In the 1990s, John was a Councillor for the Heidelberg City Council for 7 years (now Banyule Council), including a term as Mayor from 1991–1992.
John has been involved with Neighbourhood Watch Victoria for 35 years, both in local groups and as President and Vice President of the State Board of Management. John has also served on a range of local committees and boards.
Mary McBride OAM
Mary arrived in Victoria in 1979 and has been supporting her community ever since.
With well over 50 years of service and leadership, Mary’s commitment to her community has positively impacted thousands of lives.
Over the past 20 years, Mary has been an inspiring leader, ambassador and supporter of Irish people and culture. In 2006, she was elected President of the Melbourne branch of Comhaltas, an international organisation that promotes Irish music, dance and language. Inspired by outreach work from her earlier life, Mary has continued to visit elderly Irish people in need of support. She brings a family experience into their lives, helps with paperwork and getting to events.
For 20 years, Mary also supported Gaelic football team, the St Kevin’s Football Club, with everything from washing team jerseys to BBQs and social events.
Alan Moor
Alan is an active and dedicated volunteer in his local Kyneton community.
He is passionate about giving back and supporting others, and an advocate for life-long learning.
Alan is recognised by his community for forming the Men's Kitchen in Kyneton, which provides a fun, safe and supportive environment for older men to learn cooking skills.
Alan is also an ordinary member of the board of the Kyneton Connect Newsletter, which aims to build community connections, participation and pride across the district.
Adelina Vanderzee
Adelina is an avid volunteer who has shared her time and experiences at over 17 organisations and events in the past few years.
As a former accountant, Adelina put her passion and leadership skills towards saving the Waverley Retirement Activities Group from closure alongside other committee members.
A talented self-taught musician, Adelina has composed theme songs for various organisations and performed at many events.
For more than 6 years, Adelina and her husband have worked hard to collect and distribute unsold items from a local bakery to reduce food waste and support people experiencing homelessness.
Helen Willison
Since retiring to Moyarra in South Gippsland 8 years ago, Helen has immersed herself in the community as an energetic volunteer for 3 local organisations.
Helen is a long-term member of Probus Korumburra, where she served as Secretary for 5 years. Helen also volunteers her time and energy with Carinya Lodge and Grow Lightly, where she enjoys connecting with people and providing hands-on support.
From packing fruit and vegetables to running meetings or organising raffles, Helen is known for her positive presence in the Korumburra community.
Reviewed 11 December 2024