Recognising Ballarat’s outstanding seniors

The Ballarat Seniors Awards once again shone a light on the volunteers in our community who continue to make an invaluable contribution to the city.

The awards are the City of Ballarat’s way of acknowledging older residents who give their time and efforts to make Ballarat a better place.    

Winners were announced at a special ceremony at the Mercure Hotel and Convention Centre on Friday.

The event also marked the conclusion of the Ballarat Seniors Festival, which ran throughout October and encouraged older residents to stay curious and connected by exploring new activities, meeting new people and joining in the festival celebrations.

City of Ballarat Director of Community Wellbeing Matt Wilson said the awards were always a highlight on the calendar.

“It is truly inspiring to see how much these volunteers go above and beyond to make Ballarat a better place for everybody,” he said.

“All the award winners and the finalists deserve our heartfelt congratulations. Their dedication and selflessness are highly valued.”

The Seniors Awards align with the Ageing Well in Ballarat Strategy 2024-2026 Action Plan, which was endorsed by Council in August.

The Action Plan outlines nine key focus areas to ensure Ballarat is an age friendly community where people feel valued, connected, included, and respected.

The 2024 award winners were:

Senior of the Year Award: Marion Blythman

Marion is a dedicated and reliable individual who has been volunteering at Ballarat Mechanics Institute for the last 20 years, overseeing the preservation of artefacts important to the history of Ballarat, as well as supporting the library collections.  

Marion has also been a Regional Convener in the Community Visitors Program for the Office of the Public Advocate for 17 years. She is responsible for leading a volunteer team of 10 who visit 57 group homes throughout the Ballarat area to advocate for people with a disability. Visits from Marion and her team protect vulnerable residents from abuse, neglect and exploitation.

Community Service Award: Keith Moore

Keith has been a member of the Wendouree Senior Citizens Club for many years and dedicates an average of 25 hours a week making the club a better place for all. He played a significant role in rebuilding the club after it almost closed during the pandemic and his hard work has seen the club double in size.

He is an active member of Ballarat Vintage Brass, a life member of the Victorian Bands League and City of Heidelberg Band, drill adjudicator for over 20 years for the Brass Band Festival – Mt Gambier and has also been involved in Lions and Rotary clubs.    

Community Teamwork Award: Anglicare Community Breakfast Team

The Anglicare Community Breakfast Volunteer Team is a group of 12 volunteers. They provide daily breakfast to 15 to 40 vulnerable and homeless people in Ballarat, equating to 6200 breakfasts for 450 people per year. The team prepares, serves and cleans up the breakfast meal.

During the morning rush, the volunteers engage with the attendees, many of whom they know by name and are familiar with their regular orders. Their work provides stability, helps alleviate hunger, isolation and loneliness and promotes dignity and belonging.  

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Award: Maria John  

Maria is a committee member and newsletter editor at Alfredton and Lucas Probus Group, a committee member for Ballarat Indian Association, and a volunteer with Ballarat Community Health. She volunteers at welcome morning teas, welcome bus tours for Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council and coordinates Indian cultural performances in the community.    

She is seen as a role model in the Indian community for her active use of social media promoting community events and women’s health. Maria actively promotes the creative work of children in the community and acts as an informal advocate and mentor to newly arrived residents and local families and individuals.  

Healthy and Active Living Award: Jack Yang

Jack is an active member of Ballarat’s Chinese community, leading cultural and Tai Chi demonstrations at many different local festivals. He has set up the English Corner Group at Barkly Square to support the older Ballarat Chinese community by teaching English and has inspired other Ballarat residents to become involved tutoring English.  

He volunteers with connection advocates In Great Company by visiting isolated seniors, as well as teaching Tai Chi and conducting flute performances in aged care homes in Ballarat. Jack leads a free morning Tai Chi class, 7 days a week by Lake Wendouree, rain, hail or shine, sharing health benefits, social connection and intercultural friendship with anyone who wishes to attend.

Lifetime Achievement Award: joint winners John O’Brien and Ian Drew

John is a life member of the Brown Hill Cricket Club, Ballarat Cricket Association and has umpired 680 local cricket games over 34 years. He also coached junior football for many years and currently works the BBQ on Friday nights for winter Auskick and numerous other community events.

John also volunteers with the Brown Hill Progress Association, Caledonian Primary School and Brown Hill Playgroup, and manages advertising in the Brown Hill Community Newsletter and coordinates a team of eight who deliver 2750 hardcopies four times a year.

Ian has been involved in Lions Clubs for 48 years, firstly at Wendouree before establishing the Brown Hill Lions Club as Charter president in 1985, where he remains an active member. He led the project to establish a community hall, which operates as a meeting place for the club, as well as a space PINARC Disability Support Services to run programs for their clients.

Ian has also been a driving force in the establishment of Inkerman Gully Park in Ballarat North, fundraising for the annual 3BA Winter Appeal, and in door knocking for Red Shield Appeal for many years.