Seniors Card has launched the 2001 Get up & Go Awards - a nationwide search for Australia’s most adventurous senior citizen - and Philippa Redwin of NSW Seniors Card has officially invited Southern Tablelands seniors to enter.

“The 2001 Get up & Go Awards are all about the spirit of adventure and getting the most out of life. I’m sure that there are lots of Southern Tablelands seniors who agree that retirement is a wonderful opportunity to experience new adventures! I’d encourage them all to enter these awards and bring the winner’s honour home to NSW,” said Philippa Redwin.

Top prize for the national winner is a $12,500 luxury holiday for four people to the Queensland Sunshine Coast plus a $500 Senior Shopper voucher if the winner is a Seniors Card holder.

Any Southern Tablelands senior citizen can be in the running to win the award as long as they are aged over 60 and an Australian citizen or permanent resident. They can nominate themselves or be nominated by a friend or family member.

To be in with a chance of winning entrants simply need to tell the judges about an adventure they - or the person they’re nominating - has had.

“Any adventure counts, whether it’s a trek through the Kimberley or a sightseeing trip in your home town with a second hand bike and a backpack.

It could be a search for a long lost friend or relative or a return to a childhood holiday spot ... we can’t wait to hear all the stories,” said Philippa Redwin.

Entry forms for the 2001 Get up & Go Awards are in the latest edition of Get up & Go the only travel guide especially for seniors. Published by Seniors Card, Get up & Go is full of practical and useful information for older traveller plus thousands of dollars worth of discount coupons.

It is on sale at all leading Newsagents nationwide from September at a cover price of $3.95. Alternatively, entry forms are available from the NSW Seniors Card office by calling 1300 364 758.

The closing date for entries is October 30 2001.

A judging panel including Seniors Card representatives will pick a finalist from each of the eight states and territories.

The national winner will be selected from among the eight finalists and will be announced at a special event in Sydney in early 2002.