Council honours Townsville’s standout seniors

Townsville seniors Teresita (Thez) Hamilton and John Weir’s outstanding efforts in the local community have been recognised by Council as the pair were named female and male Senior of the Year award winners.

Townsville City Council Senior Awards were held on Thursday as part of as part of the annual Seniors Luncheon at the wonderful Townsville Stadium, with the two winners presented with a framed certificate and gift from deputy mayor Mark Molachino.

Female winner Mrs Hamilton is a four-time president and the first life member of the Filipino Australian Affiliation of North Queensland (FAANQ), tirelessly helping and supporting migrant families using her own lived experience.

Mrs Hamilton, 66, has volunteered conscientiously to support not only the Filipino community in Townsville and North Queensland but the wider multicultural community across multiple organisations.

Mrs Hamilton has also volunteered with Triple T community radio station on their International Sunday program for nearly 30 years, while also participating in fundraising activities for the station.

She is also heavily involved in the Holy Spirit Parish and volunteers for the Salvation Army and Mission to Seafarers.

In addition to formal voluntary work, Mrs Hamilton assists new arrivals to Townsville, providing a friendly face and warm welcome while migrants find their feet in their new community.

“Mrs Hamilton has been a pillar of Townsville’s community since arriving in our great city in 1983 and her work with both the Filipino and wider community make her a hugely worthy winner of the Senior of the Year award,” Cr Molachino said.

Male winner Mr Weir, 88, has been a dedicated volunteer at West End Cemetery since 2000, spending around 80 hours each month helping with general maintenance activities like mowing, brush cutting and tree pruning.

He also completes minor grave repairs, plot identification and general minor assistance for public who attend the cemetery, helping transform the space into the beautiful place that it has become.

On top of this Mr Weir records and maintains the historical data for this cemetery as he was on the Heritage Committee that played a part in getting it heritage listed.

He also volunteers at the Maritime Museum.

“Mr Weir has worked tirelessly for nearly 25 years helping with the upkeep and preservation of the West End Cemetery and his hard work has made a massive difference to that site,” Cr Molachino said.

Cr Hill praised the efforts of Mrs Hamilton and Mr Weir and paid tribute to all this year’s nominees, who were acknowledged during the awards ceremony and presented with a certificate and plant.

“Mrs Hamilton and Mr Weir should be hugely proud of taking out the Senior of the Year Awards, awards they richly deserve for their contributions to our community,” Cr Molachino said.

“Townsville is home to a vibrant and dedicated seniors community that volunteers their time and shares their knowledge, coaching and guiding others while asking for nothing in return.

“Their work often goes unnoticed, so the Senior Awards and Seniors Luncheon are about giving them the recognition and thanks they deserve.”

For more information on the awards or to look at a list of past winners visit Council’s Senior Awards page.