OREANDA-NEWS. April 29, 2013. Due recognition was given to 12 active retirees who have excelled in lifelong learning, led a healthy lifestyle and dedicated themselves to serving the community.

The “Outstanding Third Age Citizens Award” was bestowed on them at the third biennial presentation jointly organised by HK Electric and the Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS). First launched in 2009, the award scheme aims to recognise retirees who have relentlessly pursued learning and shared with others, contributed their knowledge and experience while maintaining a balanced lifestyle.

The 12 awardees, aged between 54 and 91, come from all walks of life. They are:

Mr. Wan Kam-on (a road safety advocate)
Mr. Wong Chor-kin (a paper-cutting enthusiast)
Mr. Lee Wor-kuen (a fund raiser for victims of calamities
Ms. Xu Tian-xia (a devoted dancer and writer
Ms. Chan Yuen-man (a carer for dementia patients)
Mr. Cheung Yau-lung (an advocate on container handling safety
Mr. Hong Po-sum (an advocate on all-round education)
Mr. Chow Ping-kay (an investment management advisor)
Ms. Tsang Woon-ping (a devoted U3A leader)
Ms. Cheng Po-lin (a lifelong learning devotee
Mr. Lai Yiu-shing (a guardian angel for Lamma)
Mr. So Kam-wu (a digital ambassador

Speaking at presentation ceremony, Managing Director of HK Electric, Mr. Wan Chi-tin, thanked all for supporting the award scheme. He said he was pleased to notice that some of the winners were relatively young retirees, who chose community service as their second career, and had provided their professional skills and knowledge to charitable or social service organisations.

“Though the Hong Kong population is aging, we are seeing more professionals retiring early. Given their expertise and experience, they are invaluable resources to society through community service after retirement,” Mr. Wan said.

Ms. Christine Fang, Chief Executive of HKCSS shared the same view that in the face of an aging population, we need to encourage more third age citizens to take an active role in volunteer services, mobilising these young old to serve the community.

Today’s occasion also marked the seventh completion ceremony of the U3A (University of 3rd Age) Network with student representatives of 2012-2013 receiving certificates from the President of the City University of Hong Kong, Professor Way Kuo. In a staged performance – “A Letter from U3A” -- students illustrated what they have learned during the year and how it helped enrich their retired lives.

Entering its eighth year in 2013, the U3A Network comprises 46 self-learning centres under 16 social service organisations that have organised about 3,000 courses since its inception in 2006, providing more than 44,000 learning opportunities for our senior citizens, Mr. Wan pointed out.

“This year, we will continue funding the project and through training and knowledge sharing workshops we hope to enhance leadership and management skills of the existing 46 U3A centres,” he added.

Over 600 guests and U3A students attended ceremony. Besides Mr. Wan, Ms. Fang and Professor Kuo, other officiating guests included the Chairman of the Elderly Commission, Professor Alfred Chan; former chairperson of the Women’s Commission, Ms. Sophia Kao and Director of Operations of HK Electric, Mr. Yuen Sui-see.

The U3A project is sponsored by the HK Electric Centenary Trust and administered by HKCSS. Elderly service agencies receive funding to run self-learning centres that provide courses conducted by the elderly for the elderly. For more details on U3A, visit www.u3a.org.hk or contact HKCSS at 2876 2446. Details of the awardees are available at www.hkelectric.com.hk/award.