Awards ceremony a celebration of seniors

MARION Blythman has been named Ballarat’s Senior of the Year for her work as a regional convenor for the Community Visitors Program and as a volunteer at the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute.

The announcement was made at an awards ceremony last Friday as a conclusion to the Ballarat Seniors Festival held throughout October.

The event celebrated inspirational people aged 60 and over who have made significant contributions to the city.

Ms Blythman has volunteered at the BMI for 20 years, helping to preserve artefacts and support library collections.

In her role as regional convenor in the Community Visitors Program for the Office of the Public Advocate, Ms Blythman leads a volunteer team of 10 who visit 57 homes throughout Ballarat, advocating for people with a disability.

Ms Blythman said the role is about discovering what people with a disability can do, rather than what they can’t.

“I am still sort of looking for those opportunities and I see now some of the staff in the houses are finding those special places for those people,” she said.

“It’s all these special little moments that just sort of keep me going when I think I should have stopped.”

Keith Moore won the Community Service Award, the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Award went to Maria John and Jack Yang took out the Healthy and Active Living Award.

The Community Teamwork Award was won by and Anglicare Community Breakfast team, and John O’Brien and Ian Drew were awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Ms Blythman said it is important to recognise the contributions of seniors to the Ballarat community.

“It broadens the outlook of what seniors are doing,” she said.