- Published:
- Friday 6 December 2024
The outstanding achievements of Victorians that promote the rights and inclusion of people with disability have been celebrated at the 2024 Victorian Disability Awards.
On behalf of the Minister for Disability Lizzie Blandthorn, the Parliamentary Secretary for Disability Iwan Walters congratulated the winners of this year’s awards – individuals and organisations working towards a fairer, more inclusive state for people living with disability.
Winners include Rainbow Rights’ Cameron Bloomfield, who received the Disability Pride Champion award, and Terry Symonds and Matt Warren from Yooralla, who were recognised with the Advocacy for People award.
Youth Disability Advocacy Service’s Together program and Monash Health’s Co-design for better access to mental health services program were joint winners of the Leadership in Co-Design award.
Heather Forsyth, a committed self-advocate who has dedicated over 20 years at the Victorian Advocacy League for Individual with Disability (VALiD), was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award for advancing disability rights to promote inclusive and accessible organisations and communities.
Through her lived experience of disability, Heather has become a powerful role model and mentor in the national and international self-advocacy and disability sectors.
The awards ceremony was held on Tuesday, 3 December, to celebrate International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
For more information on the 2024 winners and nominees, please visit dffh.vic.gov.au/victorian-disability-awards.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Disability Lizzie Blandthorn
“The Victorian Disability Awards is our chance to show appreciation for the individuals, groups and organisations who work tirelessly to promote the rights and inclusion of people with disability.”
“Celebrating these achievements underscores how much progress we’ve made – and how much more we can accomplish together – for people with disability in Victoria.”
Quotes attributable to Parliamentary Secretary for Disability Iwan Walters
“It is a privilege to thank and to celebrate all nominees and winners of the Victorian Disability Awards. Their efforts make Victoria a more inclusive, accessible and equitable community.”
“Each nominee for these important awards exemplifies the best of Victoria and our efforts to create a fairer and more just society – and their work should inspire us all to do more.”