Accessibility and inclusivity for everyone

THE Greater Geelong region is jam-packed with some of the most amazing spaces in Australia.

We are blessed to call this place home, and with world-class beaches, nature trails, and other hidden gems all around us, it is no surprise that more and more folks want to come here to live.

But what tops the scenery and natural beauty of Geelong is its people.

We are a special group made up of some of the kindest and most caring souls I’ve had the pleasure to get to know.

Everybody wants to help everybody in our community be the best version of themselves, which is one of the most special aspects of living here.

To that point, I am so delighted that nominations for the Geelong Awards for People with Disability have now opened.

These awards celebrate people with disability in Greater Geelong who are doing outstanding work in advocacy, leadership, employment and empowering others.While the awards are in their eighth year, 2023 will be the fourth year in which the City will partner with genU in presenting them – the awards are also supported by the Barwon Disability Resource Council.

The Geelong Awards for People with Disability is a vital part of the City’s work in building an accessible and inclusive community for everyone, and importantly, they help to acknowledge the achievements of those with disabilities by shining a light on the work being done by individuals to improve opportunities for themselves and other community members.

As deputy chair of Council’s Care and Inclusion portfolio I have a genuine passion for disability advocacy, and I encourage everyone in our community who has a friend, colleague or family member living with disability to consider nominating them for an award.

Nominations can be made in the following categories:

• Achievement Award: recognising someone who has achieved a significant milestone or success in any area.
• Leadership and Advocacy Award: acknowledging an outstanding individual who has led or advocated for others to achieve a considerable outcome or advancement.
• Volunteering Award: celebrating a volunteer whose work fosters an inclusive culture, promotes access and inclusion, or enhances opportunities for people with disability.
• Excellence in Employment Outcomes Award: recognising excellence of an individual’s contribution to reducing barriers to employment for people with disability and building workplaces that respond to the needs of people with disability.

The awards also help to promote ‘An inclusive, diverse, healthy and socially connected community’, which is an aspiration from Council’s 30-year clever and creative vision.

For more information on each award category, nominee eligibility, selection criteria and to nominate, jump onto geelongaustralia.com.au/disabilityawards and have a look around.

The awards will be held at Geelong Library and Heritage Centre (the Dome) on Friday, December 1 and nominations close at 5pm on Monday, September 25.

If you would like further information and assistance with completing a nomination form please don’t hesitate to reach out to the City of Greater Geelong team on 0466 725 648 or drop a line to [email protected] if you prefer.

Good luck, and to all of the folks out there doing great work in this space, thanks from all of us for making our community the best place to live.

Cr Belinda Moloney

Kardinia Ward, City of Greater Geelong