The Senior Citizen of the Year Award, according to the Parliamentary Secretary for the Elderly, Helen D’Amato, is given as recognition to those elder citizens who are active in their community and who serve as a role model for other senior citizens.

Ms D’Amato said the award, which is now into its 14th edition, will be presented on Friday 5 October at the Saint Vincent Theatre. The evening will be the culmination of the week-long activities that will begin on 1 October, the United Nations World Senior Citizens Day.

Ms D’Amato encouraged NGOs, parishes and local councils to nominate senior citizens for the award. She added that individuals or couples who were born and live in Malta or Gozo and are of a pensionable age as at 31 December, are eligible for the prize.

The winners will be selected by a board chaired by Ms Cecilia Xuereb which also includes Mr Angelo Fenech, Prof. Fredrick Fenech, Ms Lilian Miceli Farrugia, Ms Josephine Saliba, Fr Victor Zammit McKeon, and Dr Jesmond Schembri.

Application forms for nominations can be collected at the Elderly and Community Care Secretariat at 15, Merchants Street, Valletta or Elderly and Community Care Department, St Francis Square, Victoria. These should be handed in personally not later than Friday 31 August at noon.