A female power lifter’s campaign to give older people the muscle to achieve their dreams has earned her the Premier’s Senior Citizen of the Year Award.

Strength guru Sonja Rutherford, 63, of Broadmeadows won the prestigious prize for coordinating a successful seniors’ personalised weight training program and her tireless volunteer work in the City of Hume.

The Australian champion power lifter collected her prize from Housing and Aged Care Minister Bronwyn Pike at Government House.

The awards are conducted jointly by the Victorian Government and the Council of the Ageing (COTA) as part of Senior Citizens Week 2001.

Ms Rutherford runs the Progressive Resistance Training Program, developed by Eric Rosario, at the Broadmeadows Leisure Centre.

The qualified fitness instructor develops an individual strength-training program for each participant and monitors their progress.

Ms Rutherford said the popular program attracts 40 people, aged between 45 years and 79 years, three times a week to pump iron.

‘There is an expectation that as you get older you become less physically capable,’ Ms Rutherford said.

‘By strengthening your body, you can do the things your brain wants to do like rock climbing or playing sport—and you can do more easily the things you have to do.’

Ms Rutherford took up power lifting more than 12 months ago to overcome a debilitating spinal problem.

Last year, she became Australian Champion and record holder in the female over 60s category with a ‘dead lift’ of 127.5kg and a bench press of 52.5kg.

Ms Pike said Sonja Rutherford's achievements stood out from more than 140 entries received for the 2001 Senior Citizen of the Year Awards.

‘Sonja is really a one-woman marvel. She has inspired local residents to believe that life does not stop in retirement. In fact, it can get better if you are fit and active,’ Ms Pike said.

‘She has excelled in helping others regain their strength and confidence. Sonja is an asset to her local community.

‘Too often the wonderful volunteer work and positive contributions of older people go unrecognised. The Premier’s Senior Citizen of the Year Awards allows Victorians to stand up and applaud our older people. Their efforts make our community a better, richer place.’

Ms Rutherford, a former teacher, is also the founding member of the Broadmeadows Community Singing Group and assistant secretary of the Broadmeadows Progress Association.

Over three decades, Sonja has been behind many successful community projects including helping to expand the Broadmeadows Community Health Services and establish local preschools.

As part of the awards, nine senior achievers were also recognised for their efforts.

They are Domenic Caldarelli, 66, of Mildura, Ella Ebery, 85, of St Arnaud, Lucyna Huczek, 73, of Chadstone, Alexander McCullough, 85 of Mt Beauty, Murray MacGregor, 72, of Doveton, Robert McKenzie, 74, of Mortlake, Dorothy Roche, 80, of Shepparton, Kenneth Sillcock, 90, of Kew and Mary Whitehurst, 95 of Riddell’s Creek.