Seniors awarded state recognition

Patyah’s Elaine Bull and Edenhope’s Donald Forster have won recognition in this year’s 2018 Victorian Senior of the Year Awards.

Mrs Bull, 82, and Mr Forster, 81, were among 13 winners of a COTA – Council on the Ageing – Senior Achiever Award as part of last week’s statewide seniors festival.

They collected their awards at a ceremony at Government House in Melbourne, hosted by Victorian Governor Linda Dessau.

Mrs Bull is also the 2018 West Wimmera Shire Council Senior Citizen of the Year.

Mayor Jodie Pretlove announced the accolade at a seniors concert at Kaniva, also to mark Seniors Week.

Cr Pretlove said she was delighted to present Mrs Bull with her award.

“Mrs Bull has lived at Patyah, near Edenhope, for the past 62 years and has contributed to the community in many ways over the years,” she said.

“Recipients of her long-standing and selfless contribution include Edenhope Country Fire Authority, Edenhope Tourism, Edenhope Pastoral and Agricultural Society, Edenhope and District Memorial Hospital, the local Anglican church, the Edenhope Opportunity Shop and Edenhope Meals on Wheels.” The award recognises shire residents aged 60 years or older who have made a difference to community wellbeing, have a positive attitude towards ageing and continue to be active in the community and encourage others to do the same.

Edenhope’s Peter Clark was also nominated and received a certificate from the shire.

“We would like to acknowledge the significant community contribution of both nominees,” Cr Pretlove said.

She also congratulated Mrs Bull and Mr Forster, who won the council’s senior citizen award in 2014, on their statewide recognition in Melbourne.

Here is a summary of their achievements –

Elaine Bull moved to Patyah, near Edenhope, in 1956 when she married a local farmer Frank.

She still manages that farm in partnership with her son Stephen.

For more than 60 years she has been very involved in her local community and since reaching senior-hood 22 years ago, her community presence has grown even more.

Elaine is a leader, a far-sighted and determined one.

Her nominators say she is focused and fearless, with the capacity to always see things through to successful completion and to support others to do the same.

She is passionate about the physical and social heritage of her region, always with an eye to ensuring that local resources and services remain useful and relevant today and into the future.

The Edenhope Tourism and Information Centre is the driving force for an extensive range of community initiatives for which Elaine is both a behind the scenes coordinator and promoter and a hands-on worker, a powerful combination.

In particular, her local community and the broader cricketing community honour her central role in ensuring that the legacy of Edenhope as home to Australia’s first cricket team to play internationally – the Aboriginal XI which toured England in 1868 – is not forgotten.

Most of the team were Jardwadjali, Gunditjimara and Wotjobolok men from the district.

This year has been one of significant outcomes – in May Australia Post issued a commemorative stamp and in June the men’s and women’s Aboriginal teams embarked on an historic tour of the UK to commemorate the 150th anniversary of that tour. Donald Forster Don’s nominator says he is a man who puts his hand up for any task and what makes him standout is his willingness to volunteer in a small community across a very wide range of clubs and associations.

He is a hands-on volunteer, curating and maintaining the local bowls and golf clubs and Lions Community Gardens, along with undertaking many administrative and organisational tasks behind the scenes.

Don and his ride on mower have achieved local fame – always out and about providing his much appreciated ‘Don’s Mowing Service’.

He is a team member and group leader of the Lions Club Meals on Wheels service and a hospital visitor, checking on people’s wellbeing and providing social and practical support such as firewood in winter.

Don has also taken on a carer role for three elderly residents.

As a lifelong Edenhope resident, he has lengthy tenure with local organisations, in particular his 60 years with the volunteer Patyah Fire Brigade, a vital community service provider in western Victoria.

• Iconic Australian musician Jade Hurley will perform for Hindmarsh Shire Council seniors next week as part of the Victorian Seniors Festival Details, page 22.