24 October 2019
Mornington Peninsula Shire’s older community has once again shown it has no plans of slowing down at the Shire’s annual Delys Sargeant Age-Friendly Awards.
The Awards were held on Tuesday 22 October, recognising individuals, clubs, services or businesses that contribute to building a stronger community for older people on the Peninsula.
The Peninsula has the second highest older population in Victoria with more than 30 per cent of residents over the age of 60, compared to the Melbourne metropolitan average of 17 per cent.
The Shire was one of the first councils in Victoria to develop a strategy to promote positive aging and continues to lead the way by recognising the important contribution older people make to our community.
Among the winners was Elder of the Year Terry Phippen who was recognised for his work to build an inclusive community. Terry has worked closely with a range of community organisations including growing a Men’s Shed that welcomes all ages; organising veggie boxes for a local primary school; promoting awareness of the environment and sustainability through the making of insect hotels and coordinating residents, businesses, CFA, schools, police and many others for the community Billy Cart Derby.
The Southern Women’s Action Network (SWAN) received two awards in the Age Friendly Communities category. For 21 years the network has provided a forum and meeting place for women of all ages, empowering members to become more involved in a wide range of social justice issues.
The awards are named in honour of Delys Sargeant (OAM) who was the founding chair of Council’s official community advisory committee on ageing, Peninsula Advisory Committee of Elders (PACE).
Delys was integral in shaping Council’s current approach to supporting residents to age well and remained a Life Member of PACE until her passing in 2017.
Shire Mayor Councillor David Gill congratulated all the winners for their commitment and dedication to strengthening the Peninsula’s older community.
“The Age-Friendly Awards provide an opportunity to recognise and celebrate our older community members as well as promoting respect, reducing ageism and encouraging an age-friendly Mornington Peninsula,” said Councillor Gill.
Seawinds Ward Councillor and Chair of the Positive Ageing Strategy Steering Committee Antonella Celi added “I am always immensely proud of our Age Friendly Award winners. It’s fantastic to be part of this great community initiative developed and overseen by the Shire’s Positive Ageing Strategy Steering Committee.”
“On behalf of the committee, I congratulate this year’s winners and we look forward to the awards continuing for many years to come,” concluded Councillor Celi.
The awards are judged by a selection panel comprising representatives from the Shire’s Positive Ageing Steering Committee and the Peninsula Advisory Committee for Elders (PACE).
The 2019 winners of the Mornington Peninsula Delys Sargeant Age-Friendly Award are:
MORNINGTON PENINSULA SHIRE MAYOR’S SENIOR ACHIEVER AWARD
Mayor’s Elder of the Year: Terry Phippen
Mayor’s Senior Achiever: Tony Clarke
PACE AGE-FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES AWARDS
Age Friendly Local Business: Mina Tawadros, at Bittern Pharmacy (as an Individual)
Age Friendly Group: Blairgowrie Community Garden
Age Friendly Individual: Meredith Studdert
Age Friendly Community, for Arts and Culture: Mornington Peninsula, Australian Decorative and Fine Arts Society (ADFAS MP)
Age-Friendly Community, Innovative Club for Older People: Hastings University of the Third Age (U3A)
Age-Friendly Community, Community Service or Program and Encouraging Indigenous or Multicultural Opportunities: Southern Women’s Action Network (SWAN)
PROMOTION OF INTER-GENERATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Promotion of Intergenerational Opportunities, Group: Point Nepean Men’s Shed Association
Promotion of Intergenerational Opportunities, Group: New Peninsula Men’s Shed
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