The award where every nominee is a winner
As the 2026 nomination deadlines approaches, we reflect on the inaugural ceremony to award the Everald Compton Community Champion Medal.
On 1 October 2024, a presentation held in Brisbane offered a memorable snapshot of the selfless activities of extraordinary older Australians.
The dinner and ceremony celebrated finalists in the inaugural Everald Compton Community Champion Medal. Together, those finalists – Barbara (Barb) Baker, Denise Delaney, Irene Birks, John Jacobsen, Rhonda Weston, and the medal recipient, Wayne Sticher – represented a remarkable breadth of community service.
The nominees’ stories ranged from decades of hands‑on volunteering to quiet acts of compassion that transformed the lives of neighbours, clubs, community organisations, and vulnerable individuals.
When National Seniors Australia (NSA) notified them of their finalist status, each responded with the same combination of humility and surprise – traits that reflected precisely why they had been nominated in the first place.
As NSA CEO, Chris Grice, later remarked, hearing their voices and laughter during those phone calls was a highlight of the process. It was a reminder of the joy of helping others and of how deeply embedded each finalist was in the life of their community.
The ceremony was both celebratory and deeply heartfelt. Held on the eve of the International Day of Older Persons, it brought together community leaders, volunteers, supporters, and families to recognise the essential role played by older Australians.
The atmosphere in the room was warm and reflective, with guests sharing stories about the ways in which older mentors, carers, and volunteers had shaped their lives.
When it came time for the then Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Bill Shorten, to deliver his keynote address, he spoke not only about the significance of the award but also to his long‑standing friendship with Everald Compton.
His remarks underscored the shared commitment, across community organisations and government, to valuing the contributions of older Australians.
During the ceremony, Mr Grice spoke with deep admiration for the “ordinary yet extraordinary” individuals who had been nominated.
He described meeting Australians from every corner of the country who devote their time to supporting their neighbours, strengthening local organisations, and building inclusive communities.
Mr Grice noted that the nominees shared a common thread: they did what needs doing without seeking attention. Many of them shouldered heavy personal responsibilities – caring for partners or managing their own health challenges – while still finding time to assist others.
They lead sport and church groups, support hospitals and aged‑care residents, create community services where none exist, raise vital funds, and offer companionship to people facing loneliness, dementia, or loss.
Mr Grice pointed to statistics that show Australians aged 55 and older provide nearly half of the nation’s volunteer hours, and those aged 65–74 represent the largest proportion of carers.
Older Australians are a vital engine of social cohesion.
“Being a champion is about dedication, selflessness, resilience, and pursuing a deep passion or purpose,” Mr Grice said.
“It’s about leadership, understanding the value of teamwork, bringing out the best of those around you, and inspiring others to do the same.”
The 2026 Everald Compton Community Champion Medal will continue this tradition of recognising those who exemplify selflessness, resilience, leadership, and purpose.
While only one person will ultimately receive the award, every nominee will be a champion in their own right.
NSA encourages communities, organisations, and individuals to put forward the names of people whose dedication deserves to be celebrated.
Nominations close on 14 April 2026. Details are here.
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