Awards recognise value of people with a disability in the workplace
THE fifth annual Toowoomba Business disABILITY Awards were held on Tuesday, September 19 — and it was a tremendous night for the Toowoomba Carers Queensland office.
Not only were we the sponsors for a brand new award, but staff were entertained by guest speaker Tim Ferguson (comedian, and disability awareness advocate) at a gala event attended by nearly 200 community and civic leaders at the Highfields Cultural Centre.
Television news presenter Kay McGrath was the Master of Ceremonies for the evening.
The disABILITY Awards spanning six categories were established to acknowledge people and businesses who are helping to create a more inclusive workplace and community for all abilities.
Two of the categories in 2017 were new — the Elissa Flanagan ‘Aim High’ Scholarship (sponsored by Carers Queensland), and the Judy Antonio Memorial Award (sponsored by Burke Industries).
The Elissa Flanagan scholarship was named in honour of a young mother and carer who was involved in a fatal road accident on her way home from the Awards event in 2015, while the Judy Antonio award honoured the wife of the current mayor who was Patron of the Awards and lost her battle with motor neurone disease in 2016.
Deanna Brady — who currently volunteers at the Toowoomba Clubhouse — won the Elissa Flanagan Scholarship which will provide her with $10000 towards the cost of professional development, training and/or education in her ambition to become an administration officer.
Elissa’s husband Rob and the couple’s four children (aged four to 16) presented the prize to Deanna, and it was clearly an emotional moment for all of them.
A highly commended award was also presented for the Elissa Flanagan scholarship, and this went to talented young artist Dan Wilson.
Dan is well known to the staff at the Toowoomba NDIS LAC PITC Carers Queensland office after his artwork starred in the official opening of our building earlier this year.
Dan is currently working on paintings which will be permanently displayed in our building.
Toowoomba NDIS LAC PITC Carers Queensland area manager Megan Halliday said the disABILITY Awards was a wonderful event.
“It was really special to be able to sponsor the Elissa Flanagan scholarship and meet her family as well as Deanna,” Mrs Halliday said.
“The award seemed like such a wonderful fit of honouring carers as well as supporting people with disabilities.
“There was a real synergy of Carers Queensland values, and NDIS goals.”
As an added bonus, Niamh Jarvis (daughter of LAC Janet) won the Innovation and Access Award, for her creation of a YouTube video called ‘Just Listen’, promoting inclusion.
Niamh is currently in year 12, and is hoping to pursue a career in the creative arts.
Other award winners on the evening were Sharon Boyce (Social Inclusion), Westridge Fruit Shop (Outstanding Employer), Ability Enterprises (Business Engagement), and Withcott Seedlings (Judy Antonio Memorial Award).
Mrs Halliday said it was also fascinating to listen to guest speaker Tim Ferguson share his story about living with multiple sclerosis, and travelling the world as a comedian and musician.
“Tim really engaged with the audience about embracing the possibilities of including people with a disability in the workplace,” she said.
“Having a disability does not mean you do not have ability.”