Retirement News : Seniors : Seniors gain awards

Seniors gain awards

Date Added: 16-03-2005

The theme for Seniors Week 2005 is The Best Time for Ages, but the joint recipients of the inaugural Hastings Senior of the Year Award are already having the best time of their lives.

Gordon and Gladys Carmichael have dedicated their retirement years to helping others and the delightful couple was worthy recipients of the award, presented by mayor Rob Drew at Port Central Shopping Centre yesterday.

Making toys for needy local children helps keep 82-year-old Gordon Carmichael young.

"Lots of fellows make cars and trucks and forget about girls," Gordon said.

"So I make dolls houses, little tables and chairs, rocking chairs – you name it.

"The look on the kids' faces is all the reward I need but woodworking also stops me from just sitting in a chair all day."

Mr Carmichael recycles waste timber to make toys, as well as furniture for fellow residents of Garden Village. Although he charges only a nominal amount, the money raised buys items used by fellow Garden Village residents.

Gladys is a regular member of Panthers line dancing group that entertains at local nursing homes and she enjoys leading residents from the Garden Village hostel.

"It helps us keep active in both mind and body," said Gladys. "Staying active is definitely the secret to longevity."

She has been a volunteer at Lourdes Nursing Home for 20 years.

More than 60 seniors attended the function, a joint initiative of Port Central, Hastings Council and the Port Macquarie Express newspaper.

Cr Drew said the Carmichaels were worthy joint winners of the award which recognises the contribution of seniors to the Hastings.

Meanwhile, Port's Loris Hoare is the 2005 recipient of the NSW Seniors Week achievement award in the field of environment/science.

Mrs Hoare was unable to attend the ceremony in Sydney to receive the award from NSW Minister for Ageing John Della Bosca on Monday. Local MP Rob Oakeshott will present it in Port on Friday.

Mrs Hoare has been a driving force behind the regeneration of the Lighthouse Gully littoral rainforest, replanting vegetation and removing weeds over 12 years.

Her story will appear in Friday's Port News.

One disappointing aspect to the week was attendance.

Only half the number of people expected attended the Port Macquarie launch of Seniors Week 2005.

Only 150 people enjoyed the two-and-a-half hour concert, with as many Civic Centre seats empty, according to Pam Dures, coordinator of Hastings Active and Older.

"We sent out well over 1000 invitations. Sadly, there's not much you can do about apathy. Those who attended enjoyed a superb concert and a beautiful devonshire tea by the Port West Inner Wheel members."

Seniors Week continues today with an arts and craft demonstration at the Laurieton School of Arts from 10am to 2pm. Tomorrow there's free ten-pin bowling at Port Wave Bowl from 9am; on Saturday its back to Laurieton School of Arts for the Stepping Out Dance (1-4pm). On Sunday, the Tip Top Tappers will present a free concert at Port Panthers (2pm-4pm).

For More Information: http://portmacquarie.yourguide.com.au/detail.asp?class=news&subclass=local&category=general%20news&story_id=378756&y=2005&m=3