NOMINATIONS are now open for the 2024 Victorian Senior of the Year Awards (VSOYA), an annual celebration of the many senior Victorians who share their skills, experience, time and energy with our community.

Last year, 90-year-old Beechworth local, Lorna Green took out a Council on the Ageing (COTA) Senior Achiever award for her role in encouraging her community in creating a healthier lifestyle.

The Beechworth Exercise Activity and Training Group (BEATS) member at 75 years of age gained a Certificate III in Fitness at Wodonga TAFE to help the exercise group to keep going when funding stopped.

She then led the fitness group for over 55-year-olds for a few years, with membership growing to around 90 people.

From every corner of the state, Victorians are being encouraged to think about the work of senior residents in their local community to recognise their contributions.

There are six awards categories, Premier’s Award for Victorian Senior of the Year, Promotion of Multiculturalism Award, Healthy and Active Living Award, Veteran Community Award, Ageing Well Award and COTA (Council on the Ageing) Victoria Senior Achiever Awards.

The award ceremony will be held in October, coinciding with the annual Victorian Seniors Festival.

Nominees must be aged 60 years or over, and 50 years or over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Victorians and can be made through the brand-new platform at www.seniorsonline.vic.gov.au/awards.

Nominations for the Victorian Senior of the Year Awards close on August 11.