Do you know someone 55 years or older who lives in the City of Ballarat and inspires others in the community?

If so, Council is encouraging you to nominate them for the 2011 Ballarat Senior Awards.

Nominations are now open and close on Friday 19 August.

This year, the awards feature three different categories. The recipients will be announced at an official award ceremony to be held on Friday 23 September at 2pm.

The 2011 award categories include:

• Ballarat Senior of the Year Award – recognises the senior who has made an outstanding contribution to the local community
• Ballarat Senior Healthy and Active Living Award – recognises the senior who is an inspiration to others and encourages others to become active and healthy within the community
• Ballarat Senior Mentor Award – recognises the senior who has been a mentor to others in the community
• Ballarat Senior Employee Award – recognises the senior who has made a positive difference in their workplace

City of Ballarat Portfolio Councillor for People and Communities John Philips said the awards were an opportunity for Council to publicly acknowledge the positive contribution so many of our senior residents make to our local community.

“The awards celebrate those actively involved in their communities, and whose contributions and achievements support and inspire others. The awards really do prove that no matter what your age you can still be an active member of our local community.

“I urge the community to get involved and nominate someone they know for this year’s awards. With three additional award categories on offer we hope to see a significant increase in nominations this year.”

Nominations can be made by visiting Council’s website www.ballarat.vic.gov.au or by collecting a hard copy nomination form from Council’s Customer Service Centre, The Phoenix, 25 Armstrong Street South.

The awards are a direct outcome of Council’s Positive Ageing Strategy which identified the need to acknowledge seniors who make significant contributions to our community.

The 2011 Ballarat Seniors Festival is themed ‘Out and About in Ballarat’ and will run from 1 to 16 October.  The full event program will be available mid-September.