MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education)
Incorporated pursuant to order of Council of 7 September:
The Victorian Senior of the Year Awards are presented annually as part of the Victorian Seniors Festival, and I’m really pleased that two constituents from south-western Victoria were recognised this year.
Uncle Locky Eccles from Warrnambool was honoured with the Healthy and Active Living Award.
Uncle Locky is a very fitting winner of this award, which recognises him as a role model and community leader.
Uncle Locky is a proud Gunditjmara elder, active in reviving the Peek Woorroong language and teaching it to thousands of children in Warrnambool kindergartens.
He is also a respected and encouraging football umpire.
He builds relationships with people of all ages and is committed to reconciliation and achievement for all young Aboriginal people.
Congratulations also to John Fox from Timboon, who was awarded a COTA Senior Achiever Award.
John is a very active volunteer with a number of community groups in Timboon and increased his workload during the COVID pandemic to make sure that Meals on Wheels were delivered to people, as well as volunteering to ensure isolated community members had transport.
John has found volunteering extremely rewarding and values the connection it has given him with other members of the community.
I’m so pleased that Timboon and District Healthcare Service nominated John so that his contribution to the community could be recognised.
Congratulations also to Ken Mansfield from Highton and Uncle Frank Laxton from Ballarat, who were also recognised with a COTA Senior Achiever Award.
All are such amazing contributors to the community in their senior years, and I thank them for being so generous with their time, skills and care for others.
