National Disability Awards Ceremony 2010

In the evening of Tuesday 23 November 2010 more than 250 guests attended the 2010 National Disability Awards Ceremony in the Great Hall at Parliament House, Canberra, hosted by the Hon Jenny Macklin, Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, and Senator the Hon Jan McLucas, Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers.

Twenty-two award finalists attended the ceremony and nine outstanding recipients were announced during the evening.

Minister the Hon Jenny Macklin, Senator the Hon Jan McLucas, Governor-General Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce, Senator the Hon Mark Arbib, Minister the Hon Bill Shorten, Minister the Hon Mark Butler, Minister the Hon Peter Garrett, Minister the Hon Gary Gray MP, and Parliamentary Secretary the Hon David Bradbury MP presented recipients with their awards.

Comedian and disability advocate Stella Young was Master of Ceremonies for the evening and International Day of People with Disability Ambassador, Gerrard Gosens gave an inspiring speech about his personal experiences.

Other guests included families and friends of the finalists, National People with Disabilities and Carer Council members, Members of Parliament, International Day of People with Disability Ambassadors, and representatives from the disability sector.

Guests were entertained by jazz pianist Andy Vance and singer-songwriter Barry Charles.

: Senator the Hon Mark Arbib with Accessible Housing Award recipient Angela Roennfeldt

: Minister the Hon Bill Shorten with Business Award – Small Business focus recipient Terence Cody of D.C.T. Associates

: Parliamentary Secretary the Hon David Bradbury with Business Award – Large Business focus recipient Tim Warren from Coles

: Minister the Hon Mark Butler with Local Government Award recipient Ian Chill from the Cairns Regional Council

: Govenor-General Her Excellency Quentin Bryce with Young Disability Challenge Award recipient Laura Miller

: Minister the Hon Peter Garrett with Social Inclusion Award – School focus recipient Dianne McRoberts

: Senator the Hon Jan McLucas with Social Inclusion Award – Community focus recipient Sheila King and Robin King

: Minister the Hon Gary Gray with TAC Yooralla Media Award for Excellence recipient Nic Falconer

: Minister the Hon Jenny Macklin with Michelle Gearman, niece of Minister’s Lifelong Achievement Award recipient Mary Guy