LONG-TERM local volunteer Norman Dare and the University of the Third Age were recognised at Armidale’s 2014 NSW Seniors Week Local Achievement Awards.
Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall, who made the presentations at Autumn Lodge on Friday, said the awards are the community’s way of saying “thank you” to seniors for their enthusiasm and impressive commitment to their community.
“Seniors deserve recognition for the important contribution they make across so many different areas of community life,” he said.
Mr Marshall said Mr Dare was a valued volunteer for the Recreation Access Project.
“This role sees him volunteering his time to support people with disabilities; he involves himself with fund-raising events for Recreation Access and is a committee member for the Don’t Dis My Ability Butterfly Ball,” Mr Marshall said.
“He provides one-on-one support for people with disabilities, making it possible for them to attend recreational activities and giving their carers some hours of respite.
“Mr Dare is a passionate human rights advocate, dedicating a lot of time and energy to ensuring people with disabilities engage in the community events and have equality of access.”
The winner of the Seniors Week Local Achievement Award for an organisation was the Armidale branch of the University of the Third Age, which has been active since 1992.
Mr Marshall said the U3A branch has more than 600 members and offered more than 60 courses each semester.
“Even though this is a large organisation and offers a wide range of courses, everything is run by members on a voluntary basis, including course tutors, committee and administrative staff,” he said.
“The new skills learnt and the enjoyment gained from the social interaction are all considered by members as being vital to their life in Armidale – some describing the organisation as being a lifeline.”
