Following a marathon judging panel session, we can now reveal the finalists for this year’s WA Seniors Awards. Our judges were excited and inspired by the calibre of all the nominees submitted this year.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to submit a nomination to help us recognise these outstanding contributions.
With three finalists selected across each of the five WA Seniors Awards categories, meet our 15 finalists and discover more about the amazing work they’ve been doing across the state. The winners will be announced at a special ceremony during WA Seniors Week.
Award category: WA Age-Friendly Business/Organisation
Finalist – Feed it Forward Incorporated
Founded by Western Australian grandmothers, Feed it Forward mobilises more than 600 volunteers to rescue and redistribute food. Older volunteers lead, mentor and connect communities, while support for seniors facing food insecurity protects dignity, independence and social connection statewide.
Finalist – Mens Talk
Mens Talk helps older men stay connected, purposeful and supported through ‘Well & Wise’ sessions, intergenerational ‘Gen Connect’ activities, mentoring and mobile outreach. Its inclusive programs reduce isolation, strengthen wellbeing and recognise older men as valued community contributors.
Finalist – Villa Carlotta Travel
Villa Carlotta Travel helps seniors overcome barriers to travel through escorted tours, accessible itineraries and door-to-door pickups. Personalised support and welcoming group experiences build confidence, friendships and belonging, enabling older Western Australians to remain active, connected and adventurous.
Award category: Age-Friendly Local Government
Finalist – City of Canning
The City of Canning completed every action in its Age Friendly Action Plan through partnerships with more than 20 organisations. Co-designed initiatives, including ‘Everlasting Elders’ events, strengthen inclusion, cultural safety, wellbeing and connection for diverse older residents.
Finalist – City of Gosnells
‘Ageing Well’ in Gosnells offers accessible activities spanning fitness, learning, creativity, digital inclusion and social connection. Delivering 1,213 sessions and 19,510 attendances annually, the program uses partnerships, volunteers and participant feedback to support confident, connected ageing.
Finalist – Town of Cambridge
The Town of Cambridge ‘Memory Café’ supports people living with memory loss or dementia, alongside carers and families. Monthly activities, specialist partnerships and participant-led programming reduce isolation, stimulate cognition, strengthen support networks and foster lasting community belonging.
Award category: WA Senior of the Year (Metro)
Finalist – Bobbie Kidd
Bobbie Kidd strengthens community life through practical care, inclusive activities and aged-care advocacy. From supporting neighbours and dementia-friendly singing to advising state and national bodies, she combines everyday kindness with influential leadership, ensuring older people remain connected and heard.
Finalist – Don Smailes
For 14 years, Don Smailes has enriched aged-care residents’ lives through outings, activities and respectful companionship. His extensive SES service, leadership and disaster deployments further reflect his generosity, resilience and dedication to vulnerable people and communities across Australia.
Finalist – Tina Baldwin
For more than 40 years, Tina Baldwin has supported people in crisis, taking more than 33,000 Lifeline calls while mentoring volunteers. Her service extends through church outreach and Ronald McDonald House fundraising, inspiring compassion, resilience and community action.
Award category: WA Senior of the Year (Regional)
Finalist – Esther Roadnight
For more than 40 years, Esther Roadnight has championed Kalgoorlie-Boulder through civic leadership, volunteering and advocacy. Her work across community organisations, seniors groups and public life has connected generations, strengthened services and inspired enduring regional participation.
Finalist – Steve Brooks
Steve Brooks champions accessibility, inclusion and connection in Kalgoorlie. He mentors people with autism, supports seniors to navigate services, welcomes participants with disability, and creates joyful community celebrations through fundraising, Christmas displays and his generous leadership style.
Finalist – Hon Helen Morton
Helen Morton champions regional seniors through the ‘Staying In Place’ model, enabling personalised local home care and reducing premature relocation. Her grassroots leadership, government advocacy and policy reform have expanded equitable aged-care support across Western Australia and nationally.
Award category: WA Seniors Advocate of the Year
Finalist – Alanagh Godderidge
Alanagh Godderidge founded ‘Motion by the Ocean’, a group that delivers free trishaw rides that reconnect older people and those with limited mobility to community life. Her inclusive, intergenerational model now reaches metropolitan, regional and remote communities across Western Australia.
Finalist – Dr Renu Sharma
Dr Renu Sharma advances culturally responsive support for seniors through the Indian Society of WA (ISWA). She coordinates multilingual health, rights, digital literacy and social programs, connects participants with trusted services, removes language barriers and strengthens wellbeing, dignity and participation among older, Indian Australians.
Finalist – Prof Loretta Baldassar
Professor Loretta Baldassar’s research and community partnerships advance socially connected, inclusive ageing. Through the SAGE Futures Lab, she amplifies diverse seniors’ voices, improves digital inclusion, informs policy and develops practical interventions addressing loneliness, dementia, ageism and elder abuse.
Congratulations to these 15 wonderful finalists. The winner in each category will be announced during a special private ceremony hosted by Channel 9 Perth’s Afternoon at 4pm presenter, Monika Kos, at Fraser’s Kings Park on Friday 13 November as part of WA Seniors Week celebrations.
Thanks once again to WA Seniors Awards funders the Department of Communities and Lotterywest.
Both photos from last year’s ceremony: West Beach Studio
