Singing seniors and a CWA stalwart were honoured at the Tamworth Seniors Awards on Friday as over 120 local residents and dignitaries enjoyed the celebrations at the Community Centre.
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The awards mark the halfway point of the 60th NSW Seniors Festival, and recognised a variety of senior citizen volunteers.
Kootingal’s Elva Clow was awarded the Senior of The Year Award for her years of service to the local community.
Ms Clow has served in the Kootingal CWA for over 18 years, and despite being very humble has a reputation in the kitchen that precedes her, particularly when it comes to baking.
“I was absolutely stunned that they picked me – it is very exciting,” Ms Clow said.
“What I do doesn’t seem as important as what some of the others do – I really just like to be out in the community, sitting and listening – I really do want to thank everyone for this.”
Not only does Ms Clow excel at the cake stalls, morning teas and lunches, but she has also knitted hundreds of Trauma Teddies for the Tamworth Hospital and organises monthly outings for residents of the local village and helps at Cockburn Cotate.
The octogenarian is also involved in Kootingal’s Respite Care, Meals on Wheels and the kids programs at the Anglican Church.
“It is nice to be recognised, but I really just enjoy getting to know the people in the community,” she said.
The Senior Group of The Year award went to the Tamworth Singers, with spokesperson Claire Hogg over the moon that the organisation got the nod.
The Tamworth Singers was founded 25 years ago by local entertainment identity Bill Gleeson and Jenny Heaton.
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The now 50 strong group meet once a week at the Community Centre to sing and socialise, and put on a grand performance every year for charity, the last couple going to the Tamworth branch of Can Assist.
“We are thrilled as a group to receive this award. We make wonderful friends and it’s great for mental health.,” Ms Hogg said.
“We are particularly pleased for Bill (Gleeson), he puts so much time and effort into us.”
Mr Gleeson provided the entertainment at the awards as well, playing the piano as the latest life member of the Tamworth Musical Society, Max Ellicott, serenaded the crowd.
Mayor Col Murray applauded the winners and nominees as “a great example of seniors being active and social in the community.”
“We are lucky to have so many wonderful seniors in our community who are committed to bettering the lives of fellow seniors and the community in general.”
