Geelong locals recognised at Senior of the Year Awards

A PAIR of Geelong locals were honoured at this year’s Senior of the Year Awards ceremony held at Government House on Wednesday last week.

Recipients of the Council on the Ageing (COTA) Victoria Senior Achiever Awards included Geelong volunteers Steve Bentley and Geoffrey Mann.

The awards recognise outstanding community contribution and positive ageing.Mr Mann said receiving the award was unexpected.

“It’s something I never saw coming. I didn’t purposely go volunteering to seek any reward.”

He was volunteering with Barwon Health Patient Transport when he was told he was a finalist for the award.Now retired, Mr Mann dedicates five days each week to volunteering across Geelong with FoodShare kitchen, Barwon Health, and Rotary.

“I’m just so lucky that I’m fortunately not in that position and I have good health,” he said.

On Mondays and Fridays, Mr Mann helps the head chef at Geelong FoodShare to prepare around 200 meals for people in need. He said the demand for food continued to rise every year.

“It’s not improving, and people don’t have sufficient money to buy food.”

Volunteering for Barwon Health Patient Transport, he drives community members to vital medical appointments.

“People are very appreciative. It’s meant to be a nice experience. I love chatting when we drive people.”

Mr Mann said he found this work particularly rewarding.”I feel that I am directly speaking to those people… that’s probably the most rewarding.”

Mr Mann’s community work also extends beyond Geelong.Through Rotary Australia Repurposing Equipment, he has helped send medical supplies overseas, including to Sri Lanka, Papua New Guinea, and Ukraine.

One of the most significant projects for Mr Mann was developing accommodation in Arnhem Land for an Aboriginal community in regional Northern Territory. Mr Mann hoped to continue volunteering for many years and encourages other retirees to get involved.

“I think volunteering is something that when you reach retirement, it’s not a matter of sitting home watching television or reading a book every day. Meeting people every day is good for your mental health,” he said.

“Volunteering means you still feel useful.You don’t just stop when you’re retired; you still keep doing things and helping people. I think that’s very important.”

The Senior of the Year Awards highlighted Geelong’s thriving volunteering spirit and the ongoing contribution seniors make to the community.