Seniors get together for lunch, lifestyle expo and awards

Date: Wednesday, 19th August 2009

Two people who make the lives of others much easier and more enjoyable are this year’s Townsville Seniors of the Year for 2009.

Retired engineer Ron Piper and aged-care volunteer Glenys Davey were presented with their awards before a crowd of nearly 2000 people at the annual Seniors Picnic and Lifestyle Expo at Sherriff Park in Mundingburra this morning.

Mrs Glenys Davey has worked with the Good Shepherd Nursing Home and the Masonic Home for more than 20 years. At the Good Shepherd she serves on the fundraising committee and looks after fish and birds that provide companionship for residents.

The committee also gives welcome baskets to new residents upon arrival and has purchased a karaoke machine, television and DVDs for sing-alongs.

As if that is not enough, Mrs Davey entertains aged-care residents throughout Townsville, Ayr, Charters Towers and the Burdekin. She spends her “spare” time sewing, crocheting, knitting, making curtains, doing craft and re-covering lounges for Good Shepherd residents, families and staff.

Mrs Davey is renowned for her kind heart and for arriving with a smile on her face and her sleeves rolled up – whether it’s a cent sale, serving a Devonshire tea or baking a pie.

Mr Ron Piper is an ex-major from the Army Reserve and a former District Engineer with the Main Roads Department. Since 1974 he has served with clubs and movements such as the Scouting, Apex, Rotary and Probus.

He has also helped Pimlico High School students practise for job interviews and is now the treasurer and newsletter editor for the Association of Justices of the Peace and Commissioners for Declarations.

Mr Piper is regarded as a dedicated and loyal person always willing to help others. At the Brooklea Lifestyle Village he has performed an Anzac Day ceremony and regularly acts as a JP for residents.

Awards for Voluntary Contributions to the Community were also presented today to five seniors: Mr Colin Hills, Mr Zoltan Florian, Ms Bev Hacck, Mr Anton Van Reyk, and Mr Evan Gannon.

Townsville Mayor Cr Les Tyrell commended the award winners and all of the guests on their contributions to the community.

“Seniors play a vital role in our society and their efforts often go unnoticed or unrewarded,” he said.

“They are the quiet achievers, taking time to volunteer in so many ways – as workers, carers and grandparents. This is our way of saying ‘thank-you’.

“The theme of this year’s Seniors Week is ‘Positively Ageless’ and I encourage you to take up the challenge and live life to the fullest. Our community can only benefit from your participation.”

Awards for Voluntary Contribution to the Community were presented to the following individuals.

Evan Gannon has been a volunteer presenter on Radio 4TTT for more than 25 years. Mr Gannon brings joy and warmth to the lives of others, with a quirky sense of humour and a love of old music. At one stage he owned 8000 albums, having bought his first record player in 1957.

Colin Hills has served with the Lions Club of Townsville for 16 years and has been a member of Lions for more than 30 years. He helped set up the Lions Stinger Research Foundation in conjunction with James Cook University. He is chairman of his local Neighbourhood Watch is mows lawns for people who need assistance.

Zoltan (Zoli) Florian is well known for developing and directing the microscope centre at James Cook University. He provided expertise for studying and filming many JCU discoveries about the natural environment, including the mass spawning of corals on the Great Barrier Reef. He has since joined the Museum of Tropical Queensland as an honourary associate.

Bev Hacck is a volunteer at Spiritus Community Care. Her vibrant personality is credited with giving clients strength, courage and joy. She is able to tailor her care to the particular needs of clients, providing each of them with peace and relieving their pain, fear, sorrow and loneliness. She also volunteers with Sunday school at her local church and gives practical assistance to families in need.

Anton Van Reyk has volunteered with the St Vincent de Paul Society in its warehouse and then its gift/bookshop for 15 years. Each month he reviews the shop’s progress and performance, focussing on customer service and financial matters. He has embraced new technologies and, by his attention to detail, has enabled the shop to achieve its goal of stocking Christian literature and religious/inspirational gifts.