The City of Greater Geelong has marked International Day of People with Disability by naming its winners of the annual Awards for People with Disability.
With the awards in their eighth year, 2023 is the fourth year in which the City has partnered with genU to present the initiative, alongside support from the Barwon Disability Resource Council.
Geelong Library and Heritage Centre played host to the awards, with the winners of three categories acknowledged:
- Achievement Award – recognising someone who has achieved a significant milestone or success in any area. Shannon Bowman received the Achievement Award for his work as a skilled and passionate entrepreneur in the field of psychotherapy and counselling. Shannon not only utilises innovative approaches to the treatment of mental health, but also to business management. As someone who has lived with disabilities since birth, Shannon has been forced to be resilient, resourceful, and creative from a young age. Determined to defy perceived limitations, he has harnessed his fostered skills to exceed expectations and build a thriving business which supports his community’s residents.
- Leadership and Advocacy Award – acknowledging an outstanding individual who has led or advocated for others to achieve a considerable outcome or advancement.
A proud Autistic/ADHD advocate, researcher, and NDIS professional Paige Humm was the recipient of the Leadership and Advocacy Award. Paige works as a sole-trader, providing support to people with a disability that models a neuro-affirming, person-centred and rights-based approach to others within the field. As a PhD candidate, Paige looks forward to contributing to disability research in the future. She has a goal to write a book that shares her lived experience and professional knowledge to empower others like her.
- Volunteering Award – celebrating a volunteer whose work fosters an inclusive culture, promotes access and inclusion, or enhances opportunities for people with disability. Tim Harte was acknowledged with the Volunteering Award. Tim strongly supports the human rights-based model of disability and advocates for equitable access to services and meaningful participation and inclusion of people with disabilities in society. His lived experience as a 26-year-old NDIS participant and rural young person drives his commitment to empower the voice and agency of people with disabilities. Tim is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, has tertiary qualifications in performing arts and science and a background in disability, environmental justice activism.
The awards help to promote ‘An inclusive, diverse, healthy and socially connected community’, which is an aspiration from the City’s our community’s 30-year clever and creative vision.
Mayor Trent Sullivan
The City is proud to partner with genU in recognising three deserving recipients who are making a significant difference in the Greater Geelong community.
The awards program is an important part of the City’s work in building an accessible and inclusive community for all while celebrating the achievements of those with disability.
We’re fortunate to have members of our community who are doing outstanding work in advocacy, leadership, employment, and empowering others.
These awards recognise residents leading in their chosen fields, advocating for equal treatment and access for those with disability supporting those around them.
Deputy Mayor Anthony Aitken – Chair of the Access and Inclusion Advisory Committee
I congratulate the three winners and thank all 17 finalists who were a part of the 2023 Awards for People with Disability.
These awards are important for the community as it shows those with a disability that their work can be recognised and validated.
The Geelong Awards for People with Disability are essential to highlighting the great work accomplished by people with disability, as leaders and role models for others in the community.
The awards present a great opportunity to shine the spotlight on the work being done by individuals to improve the opportunities for themselves and other community members.
Clare Amies – genU Chief Executive Officer
The awards have strengthened the region’s status as a leader in the sector by shining a spotlight on the incredible contributions of local people with a disability.
All of the 2023 nominees should be extremely proud.
The Geelong Awards for People with a Disability is a great opportunity to celebrate people’s outstanding work and contribution to building Geelong’s reputation for leadership, innovation and best practice in disability services.
