Seniors Award - 2010/2011

This Award was created by the Club in 2004 to recognize the contribution of men or women 60 Years or older who give outstanding service in a voluntary capacity to older people.

The Seniors Award for 2011 was presented to Norman P Banner at last week’s meeting by Chair of the Welfare of the Elderly Committee – Wayne Talbot and President Philip.

Norman Banner recently retired as Chairman of Southern Cross Care (VIC) after 12 years.  Southern Cross Homes was established in 1971 and was managed by a Committee of Management.  Today SCC (VIC) offers more than 5,300 older Victorians a comprehensive range of care and support services.  They have a staff of 1200 and in excess of 400 volunteers.  The range of services provided includes Community Care and Support, Residential Care, Dementia, Independent Living, Respite Care and Retirement Villages. These services are provided throughout the greater Melbourne area and at Shepparton, Geelong, Ballarat and Morwell.

It is in this context of the significant involvement of SCC in Aged Care that the contribution of Norman should be viewed.  Norman has been involved in aged care since 1992.

In 1997 Norman was elected Chairman of the Board of SCC and in that role he has led the continuous strategic planning which is so critical to the success of providing for the wide ranging needs of our aging population.

SCC (VIC) is acknowledged as a leading provider of Aged Care in Victoria and as Chairman, Norman and the Board sought to explore all avenues to ensure that they remained a comprehensive and a relevant provider of quality aged care services, understanding the need to adapt to emerging governmental and community trends.

There have been many changes to the regulatory framework for aged care as well as to the range of services and facilities which need to be provided.  Strong leadership and vision are essential attributes of leadership.  Without these and the ability to relate to people, the successful operation of aged care facilities, especially to the  extent referred to earlier, would not be possible. Importantly, Norman has endeavoured to maintain a desirable combination of strong leadership, tact and diplomacy.

Norman has taken a direct interest in many of the volunteers who are so important in the delivery of aged care.  He would attend their meetings providing an update on the current operations of SCC.  Norman also presided over the Annual Volunteer Awards and presented Service Awards to those eligible.

On his retirement, one of his fellow directors said “Norman will be remembered as the Greatest Leader Southern Cross Care has ever had”.

Over the years, Norman has been involved in industrial relations with the Victorian Public Service Association where he was awarded a life membership in 1981.  Norman was also a Director of the State Government Employees Credit Union for 28 years.  Norman is a Justice of the Peace and has been for the last 26 years.

On a personal note, Norman has been married to Maureen for over 50 years, he has four children and nine grandchildren who give him great pleasure in his retirement.

Norman is a worthy recipient of the Rotary Club of Melbourne’s Seniors Award for 2011.