Forty three seniors from the Scenic Rim were celebrated for the important contribution they make as volunteers in their local communities at last week’s 2009 Seniors Recognition Awards. Hosted by Queensland LNP Senator Russell Trood at the Kooroomba Vineyard in Boonah, last Wednesday’s awards ceremony recognised the contribution senior volunteers made to their local community.
Volunteers from the Beaudesert and Boonah Hospital Auxiliaries, the Tambourine Mountain Rural Fire Service, nursing homes and environmental groups were among the recipients who came from all corners of the Scenic Rim region to attend the awards with their families and friends.
Senator Trood, who has held volunteer recognition events for the past three years, said that this year’s nominations were impressive in both number and quality.
“It was fantastic to meet so many impressive Queenslanders generously and selflessly giving their time and energy to benefit their local community.
“I felt tired just from reading about all the great work they are doing!”
Senator Trood said that the nominees demonstrated the important role older Australians play in their local communities.
“Older Australians have helped shape modern Australia and continue to make significant contributions to society with their lifetime of skills, knowledge and experience,” he said.
“Although they form the backbone of many Australian communities, they seldom expect recognition for their efforts. This is all the more reason to celebrate their important contribution,” Senator Trood said.
Currently, more than 2 million Australians are over seventy years old and by 2050 this number will almost triple to more than 5.7 million. One-third of the people aged 65-74 years provide unpaid assistance to someone outside their household.
Senator Trood added that he was pleased to recognise the volunteers in the region, because of all areas in Queensland, it has been the hardest hit by the effects of the global financial crisis.
“Rural communities do it hard most of the time, but I know that the past twelve months have been particularly tough. It is in times like these that the work of volunteers and local community leaders becomes ever more important,” Senator Trood said.
In addition to those who attended, there were another forty recipients who were not able to make the ceremony and will receive their award in the mail.