Shining light on all abilities

RECORD-breaking nominations for The Business Disability Awards had 300 people in awe of the strength, resilience and innovation within the Toowoomba community.

Celebrating the region’s incredible people with different abilities and businesses offering employment opportunities, Thursday night was one to remember.

In attendance on the night were event co-founders Paul Wilson, Kim Stokes and David Wallis, along with Mayor Paul Antonio and the family of the late Elissa Flanagan.

Performing the role of keynote speaker was Paul Hockey, who lost his right arm to cancer at just three weeks of age.

Sharing his inspiring journey with the audience, Mr Hockey became the first person living with a different ability to climb Mount Everast from the north side.

Former Paralympic swimmer Karni Liddell MCed the event and opened up about her own experience of being born with a neuromuscular wasting disease.

The record-holding Paralympian said her parents were told by doctors that she would never be able to walk, crawl or live past her teenage years. Now aged in her 40s, Ms Liddell is a mum, clinical social worker and won a medal at every Paralympics she competed in.

Some categories awarded an overall winner, as well as a highly commended this year. Full list of winners:

• Social Inclusion Award – St Vincent’s Private Hospital Toowoomba (winner) and Toowoomba Friendlies Mobility and Independent Living (highly commended).

• Outstanding Employer Award – Toowoomba Poultry.

• Outstanding Employee Award – William Denny (winner) and Shannon Wallis (highly commended).

• Outstanding Volunteer

Award – Daryl Nicholson.

• Innovation and Access Award – Inclusion Access (winner) and Pure Hair Toowoomba (highly commended).

• Education and Training Award – Purple Truck Driving School.

• Indigenous Champion Award – Liza Chilly.

• Business Engagement Award – Ability Enterprises.

• Elissa Flanagan ‘Aim High’ Scholarship – Max Murray.

• Judy Antonio Memorial Award – Desmond Orr.