Award recipients will be acknowledged at a Government House reception on October 1, leading into this year’s Victorian Seniors Festival.

The awards celebrate people aged 60 and over who support and encourage others through their volunteer work.

The five award categories include veteran community award, promotion of multiculturalism award, healthy and active living award, COTA senior achiever awards and the Premier’s Award for Victorian Senior of the Year.

Ted Goodacre was named the 2014 Victorian Senior of the Year for his decades of inspirational volunteer work in Lismore.

The nomination period opened on Monday and will close on July 10.

To find out more, go to seniorsonline.vic.gov.au or call Seniors Information Victoria on 1300 135 090.

Housing, Disability and Ageing Minister Martin Foley said the nominees could be a volunteer in an organisation, a friend, neighbour or family member.

“Previous award recipients have been recognised for their work with older men at their local men’s shed, providing support and a listening ear to Vietnam veterans, giving comfort and practical pastoral care assistance to vulnerable people, and offering language classes and driving lessons to recently arrived migrants,” he said. “The nomination process is straightforward and simple and assistance with completing a nomination form is available.”