Sixty over 60’s will today be recognised as the cream of the NSW crop at Australia’s biggest awards for older people, and meanwhile 14,000 seniors will today converge on the Sydney Entertainment Centre to enjoy two of the Premier’s Seniors concerts.
NSW Minister for Ageing, Kristina Keneally, said that today is one of the biggest in NSW Seniors Week, which sees 250,000 seniors across the state attend 700 festivities, classes, talks and activities, and generally try something new.
"NSW Seniors Week will today go off with a bang – one of the biggest days in the biggest seniors event in the southern hemisphere," Ms Keneally said.
"Today I will present NSW Seniors Week Achievement Awards to 60 seniors at a prestigious event at the City Recital Hall, recognising their outstanding contributions to their community and to the fabric of our great state.
"The people being awarded today have sacrificed their own time and resources for the greater good, including fundraising and supporting charities, and I’m proud to be able to highlight their good work."
Ms Keneally said that individuals and organisations which will today be awarded include:
• Betty Allman from Port Macquarie, who has raised $375,000 for a cancer charity;
• Mira Raheja founder of Hornsby’s Indian Seniors’ Group, which helps older Indian and Australians to live healthy lives through intergenerational celebrations;
• Pink Panters from Maroubra, which supports patients with lung conditions at Prince of Wales Hospital.
"Meanwhile, 14,000 seniors will today be treated to the Premier’s Seniors concerts at 10.30am and 2.30pm – tickets to which were snapped up like hotcakes," Ms Keneally said.
"The theme for this year’s concerts is ENCORE: music from the movies, and audiences will be treated to timeless soundtracks and showstoppers which will take them through 50 years of their favourite movie tracks.
"This year’s concerts feature legendary performers Rhonda Birchmore, Silvie Paladino and Hayden Tee."
Ms Keneally said that NSW Senior’s Week is funded by the NSW Government to thank, celebrate and recognise older people for the contributions they make to the community.
For more information on the Seniors Week events happening across NSW, go to www.nswseniorsweek.com.au or call the Seniors Information Service on 13 12 44.