NEWS DESK
A man who freely makes time for others Stephen Taylor steve@baysidenews.com.au
Full schedule: Mornington’s Roy Francis likes being busy. Picture: Yanni
THE old adage: “If you want something done ask the busiest person to do it” could have been referring to Mornington man Roy Francis. Last year’s Victorian Senior of the Year, Mr Francis, 77, is a cancer survivor who, as the first volunteer ambassador of the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, uses his diagnosis to promote prostate cancer awareness. He wants Frankston and Mornington Peninsula seniors to follow his lead and nominate for the 2018 Victorian Senior of the Year Awards which close Friday 20 July Mr Francis is an “inspiration to his community, regularly travelling throughout Victoria to share his story, making more than 750 cancer awareness presentations”, according to seniors spokesperson Madeleine Page. However, he has now had to “cut back” on his presentations. “After giving nearly 900 talks to 27,000 people or so, I seem to have covered everybody, certainly on the Mornington Peninsula.” Mr Francis has previously been president of Mornington Croquet Club, vice-president of Balnarring Picnic Racing Club and vicepresident of Mornington National Seniors. He was Mornington Lions Club Citizen of the Year 2015, and is the only Australian to receive the International Edward C Kaps Hope Award, presented in Chicago, for support group leadership.
He is now president of the Bentons Square Community Centre management committee alongside his wife, Helen, who is also on the committee. “We have a wonderful staff and group of volunteers here,” he said. He is also co-chair – again with Helen – of the new men’s health group at The Bays Hospital as well as a community speaker and “bowel screening champion” of the Cancer Council Victoria for his work in promoting bowel screening testing at home. “My greatest pleasure is seeing the enjoyment of the volunteers at the various organisations and groups with who I am involved,” Mr Francis said. The seniors’ awards honour the time, skills and support older Victorians have given to the community since turning 60. They also recognise businesses that create age-friendly environments. Award categories highlight seniors’ roles as mentors, educators, role models, leaders and behind-the-scenes workers. Individual awards include the Premier’s Award for Victorian Senior of the Year, Promotion of Multiculturalism Award, Healthy and Active Living Award, Veteran Community Award and Victorian Senior Achiever Awards. In recent years, older members of the Aboriginal community have been under-represented in the nomination process. Recipients of awards will be honoured at the 36th Victorian Seniors Festival at Government House in October.
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Aged care scholarship on offer
We're seeking mature, kind and compassionate people to enrol in our upcoming classes for the CHC33015 - CERTIFICATE III IN INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT (AGEING, HOME & COMMUNITY)
Flexible working hours A rewarding career path Self satisfaction
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03 8785 0999 www.saieducation.com.au SAI Education Institute | RTO Provider No: 22617 411 Nepean Highway, Frankston, Vic
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Frankston Times
2 July 2018
SAI Education institute is a boutique education provider focusing on Home Care, Aged Care and Disability Care. They are currently offering a scholarship for a local learner with a passion to enter the aged care or home and community care industry. They are looking for an individual who would not be able to study without fee support and who can demonstrate examples of the values lived by the scholarship’s name sake, Malini Silva. Malini Silva and the Honourable Ken Wyatt Officially opened the new SAI premises on Nepean Highway, Frankston in July 2017 and by December SAI Education Institute officially become a Registered Training Organisation. Delivering courses in the field of Aging, disability and Home and Community Care. The Education Institute is the final piece of the SAI brand, which includes SAI Home and Community Care and the SAI Wellness and Lifestyle Centre. Malini, the late mother of owners Upali
and Nina DeSilva, passed away less than a month later but will be remembered fondly by an annual scholarship. Further details are available at www.saieducation.com.au “When Nina, our CEO mentioned that she was keen to offer scholarships to students that may not be able to afford to study I suggested we use Malini’s legacy as a framework,” said Education Manager Jeanette Swain. “I was astounded at Malini’s passion for education as a pathway from poverty and how she had supported children financially to keep attending schools in Sri Lanka and continued to support adult learning as she made Australia her new home.” There will be a course information session on the 10th of July at 2pm or 6pm for the program starting on the 16th of July 2018. Register your interest at www.saieducation.com. au/2018/06/26/information-session-for-certificate-iii-in-individual-support-chc33015/