From L-R – Back Row: Robert Caulfield and Ben Rogers, COTA Victoria & SRV; Front Row: Jan Antosiewicz, Aunty Claudette Lovett, Greg Snart, Raymundo Rosales, Jagdeep Sukhija, Eufemia Luppino, John MacInnes, Jeanette Hajncl, Constantine Pagonis
Melbourne – Nine selfless older Victorians were today honoured with the Council on the Ageing (COTA) Victoria Senior Achiever Award as part of the 2026 Victorian Senior of the Year Awards program.
Following a new focus for the award established in recent years, the COTA Victoria Senior Achiever Awards shine a spotlight on local champions within Victorian communities. Recipients are proven to go above and beyond to improve not only their local areas, but the lives of those within them.
The nine well-deserving COTA Victoria Senior Achievers in 2026 are as follows:
- Aunty Claudette Lovett
- Constantine Pagonis
- Eufemia Luppino
- Greg Snart
- Jagdeep Sukhija
- Jan Antosiewicz
- Jeanette Hajncl
- John MacInnes
- Raymundo Rosales
“This year’s honourees remind us that older Victorians make extraordinary contributions to every part of community life. We are proud to recognise this remarkable group of community leaders, whose achievements span culture, emergency services, health, the arts, inclusion, and practical support,” said Ben Rogers, CEO of COTA Victoria and Seniors Rights Victoria.
“These honourees are united by a determination to help others feel valued, welcomed, and connected,” Mr Rogers continued. “Their generosity and commitment challenges outdated assumptions about ageing and demonstrate the lasting impact older people make across this state.”
Mr Rogers is available to speak with local press about each COTA Victoria Senior Achiever Award honouree and the award itself upon request.
Additionally, the following Victorians were also awarded honours at today’s ceremony, as presided by the Governor of Victoria, Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, alongside the Victorian Minister for Seniors, the Honourable Nick Staikos:
- Mahendrakumar Patel, recipient of the Emerging Impact Award
- Sandra Verdam, recipient of the Positive Ageing Award
- Ronnie Figdor OAM, recipient of the Promotion of Multiculturism Award
- Margaret Jager, recipient of the Veteran Community Award
- Christine McCracken, highly commended as part of the Premier’s Award for Victorian Senior of the Year
- Noel Austin, highly commended as part of the Premier’s Award for Victorian Senior of the Year
- Mark Edmonds, recipient of the Premier’s Award for Victorian Senior of the Year
“We are extremely pleased to continue working with the Victorian Government to honour those who’ve made significant contributions to communities all throughout the state,” said COTA Victoria and Seniors Rights Victoria President, Robert Caulfield, who also took to the awards stage to assist in the presentation of today’s COTA Victoria Senior Achiever Awards.
“We celebrate the remarkable people recognised through the COTA Victoria Senior Achiever Awards and the larger Victorian Senior of the Year Awards program,” Mr Caulfield continued. “Their efforts make a real difference in strengthening communities, embracing diversity, creating connections and opportunities, and helping build a Victoria where people can thrive as they grow older.”
Select honourees will be featured in the coming weeks as part of COTA Connections, a radio program that airs each fortnight on Golden Days Radio 95.7fm, also available on-demand wherever you get your podcasts.
The 2026 Victorian Senior of the Year Awards program is one of many events that make up the larger Victorian Seniors Festival. For more on what COTA Victoria and Seniors Rights Victoria have on offer over, head to our events calendar.
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Steve Wright
Communications and Membership Manager
Telephone: +61 3 9655 2159
Email: swright@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.