The Victorian Senior of the Year Awards recognise outstanding older Victorians who share their skills, time and energy to strengthen the community.
Three of our 2024 Council on the Ageing (COTA) Victoria Senior Achiever Award recipients take us through their volunteer work and what receiving the award means to them.
‘Each of the ten new recipients of the COTA Victoria Senior Achiever Award have shown demonstrable selflessness, compassion and dedication.’ Ben Rogers, COTA Victoria CEO
Meet some of the COTA Victoria Senior Achiever Award recipients
Janet Clark
Janet is a hands-on and innovative volunteer who supports several charities and organisations across Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs.
One of these is the Keysborough Learning Centre’s Open Door emergency food relief program.
‘People come in and we give them parcels of food. We also have clothing that they can take, or blankets. Anything that a household might need, we have that there available for people to take,’ Janet says.
Since joining Open Door, Janet has helped to expand the support available, inspired fellow volunteers and created a friendly and supportive space for people in need.
Janet lives with an ongoing illness, but she does not let it impact her commitment to helping others.
‘I feel so honoured. I love getting up and doing what I do. I love it to bits.’
Mel Boak
Mel is driven in his commitment to serving the community, particularly in support of people with disability and people experiencing disadvantage.
‘I volunteered for nearly 20 years for LINK Community & Transport, which assists people to get to doctors, hospitals and all that,’ he explains.
Over this time, Mel has helped hundreds of people to access vital services while improving their access to social connection.
Through caring for his daughter with disability before her early passing, Mel and his wife have used their experience to provide support and guidance for fellow parents of children living with disability.
On receiving a COTA Victoria Senior Achiever Award, Mel feels it’s as good for the organisations as much as himself.
‘We don’t work without the background people that support us.
‘And we don’t do it for this purpose, but it’s nice to be recognised,' Mel says.
Mel has also volunteered as Treasurer at the Kalparrin Centre and with the MS Society Community Visitors Scheme.
Mary McBride OAM
Mary arrived in Victoria in 1979 and has been supporting her community ever since.
Over the past 20 years, Mary has been an inspiring leader, ambassador and supporter of Irish people and culture.
In 2006, she was elected President of the Melbourne branch of Comhaltas, an international organisation that promotes Irish music, dance and language.
‘The Irish harp is our symbol and it’s our music culture,’ she shares.
Inspired by outreach work from her earlier life, Mary has continued to visit elderly Irish people in need of support. She brings a family experience into their lives, helps with paperwork and getting to events.
‘It’s a great honour for me and all of our community. Many of us are all volunteers.’
Mary has also supported Gaelic football team, the St Kevin’s Football Club, with everything from washing team jerseys to BBQs and social events.
More information
Meet all the 2024 Victorian Senior of the Year Award recipients on Seniors .
Listen to the full interviews on the COTA Conversations with Golden Days Radio host Peter Thomas.
Interested in supporting your local community but unsure where to start? Volunteering is a great way to stay active, share your knowledge and make new friends. Find out how to get started .
Reviewed 25 March 2025