Council on the Ageing (COTA) Victoria and Seniors Rights Victoria (SRV) are proud to advise that nominations are now open for the COTA Victoria Senior Achiever Awards, part of the larger 2026 Victorian Senior of the Year Awards program.
As formally announced today by the Victorian Government Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, nominations are now open across categories including the Emerging Impact Award, the Positive Ageing Award, the Promotion of Multiculturism Award, and the Veteran Community Award.
The COTA Victoria Senior Achiever Award honours multiple local community champions who significantly contribute to positive ageing within their own localities. Nominations from it and all other categories will also be considered for the final honour, the Premier’s Award for Victorian Senior of the Year.
Nominations for all available categories are open today, and remain open until 19 May 2026. People in Victoria who are 60 years of age or older, and First Nations people who are 50 years of age or older, are eligible to be nominated. You can learn more about eligibility and the nomination process via Seniors Online, with program information available in 16 different languages.
“As COTA Victoria celebrates 75 years of service to older Victorians, we’re incredibly delighted to continue our work with the Victorian Government and shine a spotlight on Senior Achievers who do the same,” said CEO of COTA Victoria and SRV, Ben Rogers.
“For more than 30 years, the COTA Victoria Senior Achiever Awards have recognised selfless service, and proudly showcase those who bring about demonstrable change and improve the lives of their friends, family, and community members,” Mr Rogers. “We cannot wait to honour this year’s recipients.”
You can learn more about last year’s COTA Victoria Senior Achiever Award recipients in this media release. You can also listen to a special series of Golden Days Radio’s COTA Conversations that honours 2025 Victoria Senior of the Year Awards recipients.
The 2026 Victorian Senior of the Year Awards program will be held in October, taking place as part of the 2026 Victorian Seniors Festival.
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Further information
Steve Wright
Communications and Membership Manager
Telephone: +61 3 9655 2159
Email: communications@cotavic.org.au
About us
Council on the Ageing (COTA) Victoria is the leading not-for-profit member organisation representing the interests and rights of people aged over 50 in Victoria. Celebrating 75 years of service in 2026, 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. It is the only Community Legal Centre dedicated to preventing and responding to elder abuse within Victoria.
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.