HONOURED: Seniors Week award winner Christine Seery with Tamworth deputy mayor Russell Webb. Her fellow award winner Bob Cross was absent due to volunteering duties. Photo: Geoff O’Neill 180313GOE02
TWO of Tamworth’s generous seniors were honoured yesterday at the official opening concert of Seniors Week.
Christine Seery and Bob Cross each won an award for their volunteer work and contribution to the community.
News on Wheels – an organisation that records local news onto disc for the vision impaired, frail aged and housebound – was the winner of the group award.
They were also among 18 people and four organisations who received a certificate of recognition.
Mrs Seery said she was humbled by the award, for which she was nominated by her grandchildren.
She has been a volunteer at the Nioka palliative care unit for about seven years and and is publicity officer for Friends of Nioka.
She has also volunteered at Ronald McDonald House since the day it opened and more recently has begun volunteering with Vision Australia.
Mrs Seery said her volunteer work with Nioka started because the staff were lovely to the family when her husband was there, so she wanted to give something back.
When Ronald McDonald House opened she thought she might as well give her time there too, and started with Vision Australia because her grandson is vision impaired.
Mrs Seery told The Leader she was driven to continue her volunteer work because it was rewarding to help other people.
Fellow winner Mr Cross could not attend the presentation because he was giving his time to BlazeAid, the organisation helping farmers with fencing and other activities following recent bushfires.
He has also been a volunteer with Meals on Wheels since 2008.
Mr Cross often picks up others’ shifts when they cannot make it and is well-liked among the clients for his ready smile and willingness to chat with them.
Deputy mayor Russell Webb said it was important to celebrate Seniors Week to recognise the past and present contribution of seniors.
He said they contributed heavily to the community and without them “we’d be in trouble”.
They laid the building blocks that allowed Australians to lead the lives they enjoyed, Cr Webb said, and continued to play an important role in society and within their families.
Monday’s celebrations featured entertainment from Bill Gleeson, Catherine Hutchison, Peter Ross, Ann Walsh and Jason Palmer, followed by an afternoon tea.
This week will also include mystery trips, a trip to Wingen, an excursion around Tamworth, a bowls competition, events at Manilla and Barraba, a short film festival, music, and a mobility and wellness day.