Awards celebrate diverse talents
ADVOCATES, athletes and groundbreakers are among high achievers honoured in Geelong’s first awards for people with disability.
Judges named winners in five categories during a gala awards ceremony at Geelong Performing Arts Centre last night, heralding the launch of the city’s 10th annual national Having A Say disability conference.
Ingrid Hindell won a volunteering category, Phoebe Mitchell sport and recreation, Thomas Banks leadership and advocacy, Cassy Geffke achievement, and Bronwyn McGuire was named outstanding employee.
Judges said the fields of contenders were stellar.
“I was blown away reading all the entries,” judge and Barwon Disability Resource Council board member Lynne Foreman said.
“The experience and the talent we have here in Geelong, it’s incredible.”
The awards were are backed by Karingal, the City of Greater Geelong and supported by organisations including the Victorian Advocacy League for Individuals with Disability, VALID, Barwon Disability Resource Council and the Geelong News.
Karingal chief executive Daryl Starkey said inaugural winners should be proud. “These awards highlight the important achievements and contributions that people with a disability are making to the Geelong region, which we hope will assist in building a fully inclusive community,” Mr Starkey said.
Volunteering: Ingrid Hindell is passionate about social justice and environment and devotes countless hours to roles in several community groups. Judges said from working as a frontline advocate for securing of the National Disability Insurance Scheme to significantly improving the energy efficiency of her 90year-old weatherboard house she had made a difference in the Geelong community.
Sport and recreation: Phoebe Mitchell is a multiple world and Australian record-holder in short and long course swimming. She won top T21 female competitor at the 2014 Down syndrome International Swimming World Championships in Mexico and claimed 13 medals.
Leadership and advocacy: Thomas Banks’s work across years in educating people and raising awareness about people with disability extends far beyond Geelong. He published a book at 16 and is now developing a one-man show titled Someone Like Thomas Banks which explores the imperfect world of being a gay person with a disability.
Achievement: Cassy Geffke volunteers and works with Woolworths, meals on wheels, Geelong Botanic Gardens Tea House and Belmont High School canteen. A dancer and gymnast, she has competed in gymnastics at state, national and international level and is preparing for her fourth Special Olympics.
Outstanding employee: Bronwyn McGuire is an admired employee at Shannon Park Industries with a strong work ethic and long list of achievements including becoming an employee representative committee member and gaining a certificate three in food processing.