Sue Etherington, a dedicated community leader and retired councillor from Mt Barker, has been nominated for the prestigious WA Senior of the Year Award. This recognition highlights her extensive efforts on behalf of seniors in the Shire of Plantagenet. As one of just three finalists in the regional category, Etherington is representing the Great Southern region, a testament to her impactful work.
At 79 years old, Etherington serves as the president of Empowering Plantagenet Seniors, a hub she founded in 2020. The initiative started as a way to deliver groceries and facilitate connections among socially isolated seniors, affectionately referred to as “oldies” by Etherington. Since its inception, the hub has grown into a vibrant community centre, providing services including affordable meals, haircuts, bingo, seated exercise classes, and various social activities.
“Our main objective is to look after the seniors in Plantagenet and ensure they have the information they need,” Etherington stated. “It is also about social companionship, and the oldies love it as a way to catch up and chat.” She highlighted that approximately 18 volunteers contribute around 400 hours of service each month. To date, the centre has served 14,584 meals over five years, reflecting its success and community impact.
While Etherington is proud of her accomplishments, she acknowledges the demands of her role. “I’m starting to get a bit tired now, and there are still quite a lot of things I want to do,” she remarked. “It’s almost like 24/7, and I’ve got something to do every day.” Etherington believes in fully committing to volunteer work, stating, “You’ve got to be able to do the job properly.”
In October 2023, Etherington decided not to seek re-election for her seat on the Shire of Plantagenet council, where she served for 26 years with a two-term break. “If you’re going to be a councillor and represent the community, you put as much as you can into it,” she explained. Considering her age, she felt it was time to allow younger individuals the opportunity to step into leadership roles. “If I put my hand up again, at the end of that four-year term, I would have been 83, and that’s absolutely ridiculous.”
The WA Senior of the Year Award winner will be announced during WA Seniors Week, taking place from November 9 to 16. Etherington is competing against Annette Howard from the Wheatbelt and Elizabeth Smith from the Pilbara. Despite the competition, Etherington maintains a positive outlook. “To tell you the truth, I’m not worried about winning. As far as I’m concerned, being one of three in the State is bloody exceptional.”
Etherington’s dedication to her community and commitment to improving the lives of seniors stands as an inspiring example of leadership and service. As she prepares for the upcoming award announcement, her focus remains on the mission of Empowering Plantagenet Seniors and the invaluable connections it fosters among the elderly population.
