One of these amazing over-65s will be our Senior Aussie of the Year

For their lives of selfless and at times courageous community service, these inspiring Aussies aged over 65 are in line to be named 2024 Senior Australian of the Year.

When geriatrician John Ward teamed up with some like-minded, forward-thinking people in his community with the goal of making their city and surrounding local government areas more age-friendly, his focus was on the isolated people he describes as more vulnerable because they "are not known to services".

"We didn't think the government on its own was going to do the right thing by older people," Dr Ward said.

Offering volunteer-led support services for older people living in the Hunter region around Newcastle, the Hunter Ageing Alliance was established in 2021 by Dr Ward, Maroba Aged Care chief executive Viv Allanson, Professor Julie Byles from the University of Newcastle and health lawyer Catherine Henry.

Named the 2024 Senior Australian of the Year for NSW for his advocacy work in the area of ageing since the mid-1980s, Dr Ward said finding affordable housing options for seniors was the alliance's focus going into 2024.

"When we started to look at housing, we thought we were dealing with just trying to increase the range of options for older people, which are pretty limited at the moment," the 79-year-old said.

"Then we realised, of course, that the most rapidly growing group of homeless people were older women and the size of the housing problem was such that government alone was never going to solve it."

The team is developing a co-living plan for older Australians to live with young people to help improve the quality of life for both.

The idea is consistent with Dr Ward's belief that "healthy ageing" begins in childhood.

"If we don't look after the children who are in insecure housing, or homeless, or falling behind at school, there's a whole cohort of people that have no chance ever of moving into healthy ageing," he said.

ACM, the publisher of this masthead, is official media partner of the Australian of the Year Awards, which are presented in Canberra on January 25.

The following profiles and pictures of each state/territory's 2024 Senior Australian of the Year have been supplied by the National Australia Day Council, organisers of the Australian of the Year Awards.

John Ward has devoted his life to providing outstanding medical care for disadvantaged people and ageing Australians - often at personal cost and with little recognition.

As director of the Prison Medical Service, he provided care to inmates - despite few resources - and advocated for prison reform to protect this vulnerable group.

Focusing on geriatric medicine and aged care since the mid-1980s, he advocates for older Australians and the importance of social determinants of health such as social connection, exercise and accessible environments. His integrated, collaborative approach to dementia care for patients and carers has made the Hunter a leader in this field.

John also co-founded the Hunter Ageing Alliance, which calls for governments, businesses and organisations to better focus on older people's needs. The alliance has eight programs in planning or implementation stage to create age-friendly communities, tackle elder abuse and end social isolation of older people.

Glenys Oogjes began work at Animals Australia in 1983 as its sole employee. She is now CEO of the organisation, one of Australia's most effective animal advocacy groups, and has kept animal welfare on the agenda for four decades.

Glenys has been a quiet force behind historic changes in animal policy, including some of our current animal-protection laws. She was one of the instigators of the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy - first endorsed in 2004 - and the more recent Australian Animal Welfare Standards for Poultry, which phases out battery cages for egg-laying hens.

Even when faced with distressing evidence or vehement opposition, 67-year-old Glenys remains a calm bulwark for animal justice. Highly regarded internationally, she is also a board member of the World Federation for Animals.

Reverend Robyn and Reverend Dr Lindsay Burch's not-for-profit organisation, Havafeed Relief, has fed more than one million people. Havafeed began in 1994 with a van and donated loaves of bread. It's now a regular fixture at the Mermaid Beach Community Centre. Six days a week, visitors can enjoy a hot meal, pick up a hamper, connect with others or talk with a local support service if they need help.

Robyn, 72, and Lindsay, 75, have dedicated their retirement years to Havafeed. They start before dawn to make sure they have enough food and volunteers for each day.

The organisation receives no funding and relies entirely on donations from the community. The couple have never asked for wages, often using their own funds to keep their work afloat. Havafeed Relief currently provides more than 300 meals a week and has raised almost $2 million in donations over the past 30 years.

When the Reverend James Colville AM opened the doors of Colony 47 in 1973, Hobart was a very different place. There were no gay rights, access to contraception was difficult and people were rejected for being different.

After renting an old church at 47 Davey Street, Hobart, a coffee shop was opened where everyone was welcome and help provided when requested. This included many young people, older people, Indigenous Australians, the lonely, hungry and unemployed.

James believed those struggling with rejection had a lot to give with the right support - they just needed non-judgmental assistance, acceptance and respect. Fifty years on, not-for-profit Colony 47 continues to deliver programs for Tasmanians in need, with a particular focus on housing.

It's helped more than 50,000 households with bond or rental assistance, more than 7000 young people with early intervention support, and more than 17,500 young people with education and employment.

Gentle, generous and funny, Yalmay Yunupingu touches many lives in north-east Arnhem Land. As a teacher and linguist, she guided Yirrkala Bilingual School for four decades before retiring in March 2023.

Often called the mother of the school, Yalmay began by translating Dr Seuss books at the community library into her local Yolngu Matha language. She qualified as a teacher and, with her husband (of Yothu Yindi fame), forged a bilingual teaching approach to make young people strong in their Yolngu language and culture.

A respected elder, 67-year-old Yalmay is in constant demand for consultations, projects and her traditional healing work. She helps everyone, always with a smile on her face.

In 2005, she was awarded a "Teacher of Excellence" by the NT Department of Education and was an Honorary Fellow at Charles Darwin University. Since retiring, she has been teaching the next generation about traditional healing.

When Charlie Bass established the Centre for Entrepreneurial Research and Innovation in 2015, he became a mentor for hundreds of start-ups and a powerful supporter of innovation and sustainability in Western Australia.

To date, the centre has provided more than 600 aspiring entrepreneurs with the tools, mentorship and support needed to turn their ideas into successful businesses, including raising more than $7.5 million in funds. The centre also supports research commercialisation, particularly in medical technology and biotech.

Charlie, 74, worked in WA's mining industries for decades. But he knows the state can't rely on its resources forever and the centre reflects his desire for greater economic diversification. He advocates for the creation of high-knowledge, high-value, export-oriented businesses for the long-term sustainable growth of the state.

A notable philanthropist, Charlie created the Bass Family Foundation in 2006 to help provide disadvantaged children with a quality education.

READ MORE: Meet the inspiring young Australians making a difference now for the future

Sister of Mercy Meredith Evans has dedicated her life to helping the vulnerable and inspiring others to do the same. Through her vocation, the 75-year-old has provided kind, non-judgmental care and assistance to refugees, young people, women experiencing homelessness, women exiting violent relationships and women leaving prison.

In 2019, she established the South Australian division of Young Mercy Links, a network of young people passionate about social justice, advocacy and education. She was also instrumental in re-establishing Justice for Refugees SA and the Young Christian Workers Movement. In 2014, she partnered with like-minded people to start a new Circle of Friends in Adelaide, providing support for refugees.

Meredith's care has extended abroad, engaging people to contribute to the work of the Jesuit Refugee Service in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The service provides homes for people with landmine injuries and their families.

Ebenezer Banful OAM arrived in Australia more than three decades ago. Ever since, he has dedicated countless hours to helping others understand Ghanaian and African values, and promoting multiculturalism.

Ebenezer spends much of his free time offering advice and assistance to newly arrived communities to help them integrate into Canberra. The Companion House community organisation he helped set up supports survivors of persecution, torture and other war-related trauma. He has served on committees advocating for multiculturalism and volunteers at the National Multicultural Festival (and assisted the Ghana High Commission's participation in the event in 2013).

He set up Radio Ghana Hour, a community station focused on Ghanaian life and culture, for which he is program co-ordinator and presenter. Respected in his community, 67-year-old Ebenezer's efforts have helped create harmony and understanding. He gains deep satisfaction assisting Canberra's new arrivals to settle in and thrive.