Community members from all backgrounds are invited to our upcoming International Day of People with Disability event which will recognise and celebrate the contributions of residents with disability.
Mark Wednesday 3 December in your calendar and join us at the Geelong Library and Heritage Centre from 5.30pm for the announcement of the Geelong Awards for People with Disability winners, free food and refreshments and information about the City's accessibility improvements over the past 12 months.
We received 19 nominations in the four award categories:
- Achievement Award: Recognises a person with disability who has achieved a significant milestone or success in any area.
- Leadership and Advocacy Award: Recognises an outstanding individual who has led or advocated for others to achieve a considerable outcome or advancement.
- Volunteering Award: Recognises a volunteer whose work fosters an inclusive culture, promotes access and inclusion or enhances opportunities for people with disability.
- Inclusive Business Award: Recognises excellence in businesses reducing barriers to employment for people with disability and building workplaces that respond to the needs of people with disability.
Last year, Justine Martin took out the Business Leadership Access and Inclusion Award, Laura Williamson won the Achievement Award, Leanne Watson was the Volunteering Award winner and Matthew Gardiner was named Leadership and Advocacy Award recipient.
The Geelong Awards for People with Disability are proudly hosted by the City, with supporting partners Rights Information and Advocacy Centre (RIAC) and VALiD . This year's event is being co-designed with six community members with lived experience of disability.
Greater Geelong Mayor Stretch Kontelj OAM
International Day of People with Disability is an annual opportunity to promote community awareness, understanding and universal design and inclusion for people with disability.About 22 per cent of Greater Geelong's population lives with disability - that's around 55,000 people.
Community members with disability contribute significantly to our region, through arts and culture, relationships, the workforce, volunteering, caring responsibilities and more.
We look forward to celebrating our award nominees, residents with disability and allies at our International Day of People with Disability event in December.
Councillor Anthony Aitken
Our free event will celebrate Geelong Awards for People with Disability nominees who are doing outstanding work in advocacy, leadership, empowering others, volunteering, at work or in the community.These awards help to promote 'An inclusive, diverse, healthy and socially connected community', which is a community-led aspiration outlined in our Disability Access and Inclusion Plan 2024-28.
