Individual
The individual category recognises volunteers and disability sector employees who have consistently and over a substantial period of time:
- Promoted community awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with a disability
- Supported people with a disability to be involved in their community
- Improved community access for people with a disability.
Awards were presented in the following four sub-categories.
Disability Services
This award recognises an individual for their exceptional voluntary service to Queensland's disability sector.
Award recipient: Petra Svab
Petra SvabPetra Svab was born profoundly deaf and as a young adult, became involved in the Deaf community where she developed a passion for educating the hearing about deafness. As well as helping Deaf people find employment and conducting deafness awareness training.
On her way to present awareness training in 1996, Petra had an accident which resulted in paraplegia. Always passionate about supporting the Deaf, the experience of using a wheelchair for mobility opened her eyes to the needs of people living with other disabilities.
In 2006, Petra joined the Community Services team at Deaf Service Queensland, where she provides awareness training and works with groups such as Deaf seniors. Petra is committed to ensure equal access for people with a disability.
Petra's self-determination, positive outlook and independence are inspiration to all. She is a worthy role model for people with or without a disability.
Community Services
This award recognises a volunteer from any community service area or organisation who, through his or her efforts, goodwill and commitment to the inclusion of Queenslanders with a disability, has promoted greater understanding of disability among the broader community in Queensland.
Award recipient: Lorin Nicholson
Lorin NicholsonLorin Nicholson was born with retinitis pigmentosa and was declared legally blind at the age of 4.
He's a dedicated advocate and fundraiser for Vision Australia. His fundraising efforts generate significant interest and support from the community, such as his tandem bike ride across the Great Dividing Range in 2007.
Also an accomplished music performer, Lorin donates his time to perform at fundraising concerts. He recently performed at a concert in Kinglake to raise funds for the victims of the Victorian bushfires.
Lorin combined his musical talent and his experience with a disability to establish his business See Sharp.
See Sharp provides presentations to schools which include musical entertainment and practical demonstrations to teach respect, acceptance of differences, building on personal strengths and tackling issues such as bullying and peer pressure. Lorin provides his presentation for free in many instances, specifically with special education units and Indigenous and remote communities.
In addition to his work with schools, he works closely with people with a disability as well as with young offenders and perpetrators of violent crime. He is currently working on developing a program to support the White Ribbon Foundation to eliminate violence against women by promoting a culture change.
Outstanding disability sector worker - sponsored by Centre of Excellence for Behaviour Support
This award recognises the outstanding contribution of a person employed in the disability sector who has gone beyond what is expected in his or her professional capacity.
Award recipient: Margaret Sharry
Margaret Sharry a teacher at the Royal Children's Hospital School developed a passion for providing the best educational opportunities for students with a disability. She is responsible for the educational needs of students with multiple disabilities, brain injury, serious trauma, surgery and burns.
A fierce advocate for each individual's right to access education, she takes a holistic approach to the education of each student. She also works closely with parents, medical staff and therapists to ensure the best outcomes for each student.
Margaret's passion and enthusiasm has gone well beyond the regular required duties of a teacher. She develops programs and resources that allow all students to access the curriculum and shares her extensive knowledge and skills with other teachers in the Greater Brisbane region. She does much of this in her own time.
Her commitment to raising awareness and advocating for students with a disability has made a positive impact of the lives of many students, families, and education and medical professionals.
Outstanding young achiever - sponsored by Institute for Healthy Communities Australia
This award is for an individual aged 12 to 25 who has provided exceptional leadership in promoting community awareness of disability.
Award recipient: Jessica Kendall
Jessica KendallJessica Kendall is a journalist at Radio 4CRB FM on the Gold Coast. Visually impaired, she began volunteering at the radio station after completing a degree in journalism at Griffith University. Since then she has become a full-time staff member.
Jessica is the station's sole provider of local news. Through the use of a screen reader Jessica monitors websites, emails, faxes and media releases to prepare hourly news bulletins during the day.
In this role she has provided exceptional leadership in promoting community awareness of disability. She has worked with a number of volunteers and visitors and demonstrates to them, through her work ethic and abilities, that having a disability does not prevent you from pursuing your passion and chosen career.
Jessica further promotes awareness through mentoring university students who come to the station for work experience. These students take away a powerful and positive message about people with a disability.
Jessica is an important member of the Radio 4CRB team and the Gold Coast community.
Last reviewed: 01 October 2009