Yesterday, his dedication to promoting cultural diversity was recognised with the 2009 United Nations Wollongong Older Person of the Year Award.

The award, now in its 18th year, was presented at the official opening of Seniors Week 2010, at The Builders Club - which also hosted a concert by singer Little Pattie.

Another three Illawarra residents, Jean Barrett, of Bellambi, John Bilboe, of Cordeaux Heights, and Gai Ta, of Fairy Meadow, were among more than 60 seniors and organisations recognised yesterday at the NSW Seniors Week 2010 Achievement Awards in Sydney.

Mr Bartolo arrived in Australia as a 19-year-old, lived in Cringila and worked as a boilermaker with various contractors.

Within months of arrival, he became involved in community service, helping to establish the Maltese Club (now George Cross Falcons Club) at Cringila, which provides the area's only Maltese aged day care program.

He was a foundation member of the Illawarra Ethnic Communities Council and Wollongong Wolves, president of the Maltese Community Council of NSW (today treasurer) and president of the Illawarra Dog Training Club.

He is senior vice-president of the Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra, and helped to negotiate new premises for Muslim, mental health and dementia day care programs.

His work has helped support more than 600 older people, while minimising social and cultural isolation.

Mr Bartolo believes volunteer work is essential to a thriving community.

"I try to do as much as I can and help wherever I can," the Farmborough Heights widower and father of two said yesterday.

"It's a part of me to be involved and help people."

The other six nominees for the award were Joyce Alchin, Giuliana Bonacina OAM, Noel Causer, Pam Hennen, Ludwik Ihnat OAM and Pam Wilson.

Ms Barrett has been a volunteer with the Cancer Patient Support Group (Illawarra) for 20 years and is a volunteer with Port Kembla Hospital's Palliative Care Unit.

Mr Bilboe has been involved with Fifty Plus since its inception and is a life member of Greenacres Association. He has been on the board since 1975.

He is a project leader of a Habitat for Humanity program that visits the Philippines, to support and help feed the homeless.

He is a community representative for the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care's southern region placement committee.

Ms Ta has worked as a day-care co-ordinator for the Illawarra Indo-Chinese Aged Group for seven years.