Only four weeks left to nominate a Senior Achiever

AGE CONCERN NEW ZEALAND

MEDIA RELEASE --- 20 JUNE 2002

Only four weeks left to nominate a Senior Achiever

Time is running out to nominate an older person for the Age Concern Senior Achievers Awards. There’s only four weeks until the closing date on 15 July.

“We’ve had lots of interest and enthusiasm, but there has been a slow return of forms so far. We need your help to uncover those older people volunteering in communities throughout New Zealand,” says Garth Taylor, Age Concern chief executive. “Don’t leave it until too late. There’s still time to get nominations in and recognise the voluntary work of an older person.”

The Senior Achievers Awards are for New Zealand citizens over 60 years old, who through their voluntary work have enhanced the well-being of people and communities. Mr Taylor says, “It’s about valuing and honouring older people’s contribution to our country. For example, work in community services that enable people to keep up a good quality of life.

“Volunteers do a wide range of jobs – as coaches and members of sporting organisations, working in the arts, theatre and music. Older people do the administration and serve on boards that keep groups going, are mentors with business, and more. We all are enriched by older people sharing their life experiences, and encouraging younger generations to learn cultural traditions.”

Help honour the voluntary work of older people – nominate a Senior Achiever!

Nomination forms are available from: -- the MASS Healthcare freephone: 0800 60 80 99 -- your local Age Concern Council (see the phone book) -- email: info@seniorachievers.org.nz -- visit the website: www.seniorachievers.org.nz.

ENDS

For further information, please contact:

Garth Taylor, Chief Executive. (wk) 04 471 2709, or (mobile) 025 243 6991.

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About the Age Concern Senior Achievers Awards

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http://www.seniorachievers.org.nz

Regional Awards: The Age Concern Senior Achievers are made up of six regional Awards around the country. In each region, a local judging panel will choose six older people to be honoured. There will be one gold and five silver recipients, who will each receive a framed certificate.

Each region is being organised through a lead Age Concern Council, working in co-operation with other organisations throughout the area:

Northland and north Auckland – regional ceremony (to be confirmed). Age Concern North Shore: contact Wendy Stubbins, ph: 09 410 1544

West, central and south Auckland – regional ceremony on 8 August. Age Concern Auckland: contact Edna Butterworth, ph: 09 378 1732

Waikato, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, King Country – regional ceremony on 13 August. Age Concern Hamilton: contact Sandra Larsen, ph: 07 838 2266

Taranaki, Gisborne, Hawkes Bay, Wanganui, Manawatu, Kapiti Coast, Wellington – regional ceremony (to be confirmed) Age Concern Manawatu: contact Garry Hunt, ph: 06 355 2832

Nelson/Marlborough, West Coast, Christchurch, Ashburton, South Canterbury – regional ceremony (to be confirmed) Age Concern Canterbury: contact Angela Howard, ph: 03 366 0903

Waitaki, Otago, Southland – regional ceremony on 16 August. Age Concern Otago: contact Susan Davidson, ph: 03 477 1040

New Zealand Senior Achiever: The gold recipient from each region will go forward for consideration by a national Awards judging panel. At a ceremony to be held on 7 October, at Government House in Wellington, the Governor-General will announce the New Zealand Senior Achiever for 2002. One gold and five silver trophies will be presented.

History: In 2001, the Senior Achievers Charitable Trust, who had been running the Awards since 1995, gifted the concept to Age Concern New Zealand. The Trust was preparing to cease its operations, but wanted the Awards to continue. Age Concern was chosen for its compatible vision and network of offices and people. Due to this change, the Awards were not held last year.

Sponsor: The main sponsor is MASS Healthcare, who has given its generous support to restart the Awards. This company is based in Tauranga with offices nationwide. It specialises in home alarm systems, mobility products and an extensive range of other items designed to help and assist not only older people, but also generally those who have a disability. It is through their support that Age Concern has been able to continue with the Awards. See more about MASS Healthcare at: http://www.mass.co.nz

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Age Concern is a not-for-profit, charitable organisation promoting the quality of life of older people, and encouraging healthy, positive ageing for people of all ages, since 1948.

http://www.ageconcern.org.nz

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