Unfortunatley, Doug was unable to attend the event, so his award was received by BSRV President Maurice Gleeson OAM, on his behalf.

 

For over 52 years, Doug has been a tireless advocate for blind sports in Victoria. After losing his sight in a car accident, he joined Blind Cricket, dedicating his life to volunteering.

 

Currently serving as the Voluntary President of Blind Golf Australia for 12 years and Blind Golf Victoria for 22 years, Doug has also been volunteering with Blind Sports & Recreation Victoria for 9 years, and a Volunteer Ambassador for 3 years. He’s made significant strides in advancing blind sports, establishing tournaments, improving accessibility, and promoting blind golf through partnerships and fundraising.

 

Doug also created audible cricket balls for vision-impaired players and founded the World Blind Cricket Council. At 73 years old, he remains an elite athlete and influential role model, fostering community among those who live with vision impairment.

 

 

 

 

“COTA Victoria is so pleased to continue its work with the Victorian Government as part of the Victorian Senior of the Year Awards, this year honouring the work of fourteen praiseworthy recipients,” said COTA Victoria and Seniors Rights Victoria CEO, Chris Potaris.

“The COTA Victoria Senior Achiever Awards exemplify hard work, dedication, and selflessness – and, I might add, are usually capped at just ten recipients,” Mr Potaris continued.

“Awarding fourteen individuals with this honour in 2023 illustrates the tremendous impact these older Victorians have had on their local communities and throughout the state.”

Also awarded honours today at Government House, as presided by Her Excellency the Honourable Professor Margaret Gardner AC, the Governor of Victoria, were the following Victorians:

• Healthy and Active Living Award: Mr Douglas Sloan OAM
• Veteran Community Award: Mr Dennis Clarke
• Promotion of Multiculturalism Award: Mrs Hanh Tran
• Ageing Well Award: Mr Max Primmer
• Premier’s Award for Victorian Senior of the Year: Mr Andrew Suggett OAM

“COTA Victoria and Seniors Rights Victoria applaud all recipients honoured during the 2023 Victorian Senior of the Year Awards,” added COTA Victoria and Seniors Rights Victoria President Robert Caulfield.

“We congratulate each and every awardee and thank them for their tremendous efforts.”

Governor Gardner and the newly appointed Victorian Minister for Ageing, the Honourable Ingrid Stitt, commended each awardee for their individual contributions to Victoria.

Minister Stitt also used the awards ceremony to thank COTA Victoria for the important work it performs protecting the rights of, and promoting opportunities for, older Victorians.

 

Council on the Ageing (COTA) Victoria is the leading not-for-profit organisation representing the interests and rights of people aged over 50 in Victoria. For over 70 years, we have led government, corporate and community thinking about the positive aspects of ageing in the state.

Today, our focus is on promoting opportunities for and protecting the legal rights of people 50+. We value ageing and embrace its opportunities for personal growth, contribution, and self-expression. This belief drives benefits to the nation and its states alongside communities, families, and individuals.

Seniors Rights Victoria (SRV) is the key state-wide service dedicated to advancing the rights of older people and the early intervention into, or prevention of, elder abuse in our community.

SRV has a team of experienced advocates, lawyers, and social workers who provide free information, advice, referral, legal advice, legal casework, and support to older people who are either at risk of or are experiencing elder abuse. SRV supports and empowers older people through the provision of legal advice directly to the older person.