The Victorian Senior of the Year Awards are our chance to celebrate the many senior Victorians who share their skills, experience, time, and energy with our state, and are presented annually each October as part of the Victorian Seniors Festival.
Do you know an older Victorian making a difference in your community? This could be a leader who inspires others, a behind-the-scenes organiser, or a person who does hands-on work to deliver services that benefit their community - nominate them for an award!
Nominations close on Friday 28 July 2023.
Award categories
There are five individual awards:
- Premier’s Award for Victorian Senior of the Year for an outstanding contribution by an individual to their local community and Victoria.
- Promotion of Multiculturalism Award to an individual for a significant contribution to promoting the benefits of cultural diversity in their local community or in the broader community.
- Healthy and Active Living Award to an individual for helping to create active and healthy communities through community involvement and as a role model.
- Veteran Community Award to an individual for an exceptional contribution to the veteran community. The recipient of the award does not need to be a veteran.
- Ageing Well Award to an individual who has worked to combat ageism, promote social justice and engaged with their community to support ageing well initiatives.
And the COTA (Council on the Ageing) Victoria Senior Achiever Awards to up to 10 individuals for significant contributions to local communities and Victoria.
Eligibility and selection criteria
Senior of the Year Awards nominees must be an Australian citizen, a resident of Victoria and aged 60 years or over. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Victorians aged 50 years or over are eligible for nomination.
Nominees will be assessed on their volunteer contribution and achievements since reaching the qualifying age.
Nominees are assessed on these selection criteria:
- how they make a difference to community wellbeing through volunteering
- their good standing in the community
- how their positive attitude to ageing inspires others.
Please note: nominees will be considered under all award categories during the selection process.
How to make a nomination
You can submit your nomination any one of these four ways:
- Complete the online Nomination and then email in your letters of support and other attachments to seniorsfestival@dffh.vic.gov.au
- Complete the online Nomination and then post in your letters of support and other materials to DFFH Seniors Awards. GPO Box 1774 Melbourne VIC 3001
- Download and print out the PDF and complete by hand, and post with your letters of support and other materials to DFFH Seniors Awards. GPO Box 1774 Melbourne VIC 3001
- Download the PDF, complete it on your computer, and then scan your letters of support and other attachments and email to seniorsfestival@dffh.vic.gov.au
To make a nomination you need to let us know:
- How does your nominee make a difference to community wellbeing through their service to social, cultural, or civic life Describe how your nominee is held in good standing in their community.
- Evidence of their good standing in the community in at least two letters supporting the nomination from colleagues or individuals in the community.
Read our Simple tips for making a .
Read about our Awardees screening .
If you have a question about the Awards contact the Victorian Seniors Card program on 1300 797 210 if you need more forms mailed to you or help completing the nomination form. They are open from 9am-2pm Monday to Friday (closed weekends and public holidays). Or you can email us at the Seniors Festival: seniorsfestival@dffh.vic.gov.au
Reviewed 24 May 2023