Mornington Peninsula War Veteran Awarded Victorian Senior Achiever at 98

Mornington Peninsula war veteran and Benetas Corowa Court Aged Care resident, Alan Moore, was awarded COTA Victorian Senior Achiever at 98 years old at yesterday's ceremony at Government House.

Mr Moore was commemorated for his outstanding community contribution that heralds over 40 years of voluntary service to the Anglican aged care provider, Benetas.

Four generations of family joined Mr Moore for the occasion including his two daughters and a number of grandchildren. “It’s a great privilege to receive this prestigious award by the Victorian Govenor General and I think I may just be the most senior here”, Mr Moore said.

As a Kokoda Track survior from the 39 Battalion, Mr Moore spent a large part of his life presenting at schools across Victoria on his experience of war and his message of peace and collaboration.

His commitment to the community hasn’t wavered with age, and since 1980 he’s been an active Rotary member and spent over 40 years of his life volunteering for the Anglican aged care provider, Benetas.

“The most important lesson of all my volunteering and community work, is to just get along with each other and learn to better understand one another. 

“I’ve sat on many committees and volunteered for many years, and the inability for people to truly understand those you work with and admit when you don’t is one of the biggest challenges many of us face.”

Speaking after the event, Benetas CEO Sandra Hills OAM said Alan is a humble and generous person who has invested over 40 years of his life to the betterment of Corowa Court Aged Care and its residents.

“He has not only served as an integral member on the Corowa Court Committee and been an active volunteer at the Anglicare Mt Eliza Op Shop, but at 98 he is now also a valued resident at Corowa Court.

“We are incredibly grateful to Alan for his outstanding contribution to the lives of older Victorians on the Mornington Peninsula and are honoured to have such a dedicated volunteer with Benetas.”

When asked how he’d celebrate his upcoming 99^th birthday, he clarifed that indeed by doing very little. “I told my grandson we’d be holding out for my 100^th birthday in 13 months time to invite 100 guests and hold a big party.”

Alan hopes to continue to live an active life sharing the message that we all just need to get along.

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