Past winners and finalists
2017
Employer of the year Award
- Winner — Compass Group, QLD
- Finalist — ANZ Bank, VIC
- Finalist — Family Chips, NSW
Community Excellence Award
- Winner — Catia Malaquias, WA
- Finalist — Julia Farr Youth, SA
- Finalist — Cricket Australia’s National Inclusion Championships, VIC
Excellence in Innovation Award
- Winner — AbilityMate, NSW
- Finalist — University of Melbourne, VIC
- Finalist — Northcott, NSW
Excellence in Education and Training Award
- Winner — University of Sydney – Centre of Disability Studies, NSW
- Finalist — Deborah Pearce, SA
Lesley Hall Leadership Award
- Winner — Sue Salthouse, ACT
2016
Lesley Hall Leadership Award
- Winner — Maurice Corcoran AM, SA
Employer of the year Award
- Winner — Brisbane City Council, QLD
- Finalist — G-Force Contracting, WA
- Finalist — Griffith University, QLD
- Finalist — Lifestart Co-operative Ltd, NSW
Excellence in Community Partnerships Award
- Winner — The Dementia Friendly Kiama Project, Kiama Municipal Council, NSW
- Finalist — Taste Creative and Bus Stop Films, NSW
- Finalist — Coolbinia Bombers Junior Football Club and the Fremantle Dockers Foundation, WA
- Finalist — Accessible Arts, The Deaf Arts Network, NSW
Excellence in Inclusive Community Design Award
- Winner — Shire of Collie, WA
- Finalist — Changing Places, Association for Children with a Disability, VIC
- Finalist — V/Line, VIC
- Finalist — RSL Victoria, VIC
Excellence in Inclusive Service Delivery Award
- Winner — Determined2, SA
- Winner — Nightlife Disability Services, VIC
Excellence in Technology Award
- Winner — Dr Peter Puya Abolfathi, Healthcare Innovations Australia, NSW
- Finalist — Sonokids Australia, QLD
- Finalist — OrbIT – accessible gaming system, SA
- Finalist — Rehabilitation Robots Development Partnership, VIC
Excellence in Education and Training Award
- Winner — Tagai State College Student Support Services Team, QLD
- Finalist —Dandelion Program, Department of Human Services, ACT
Excellence in Justice and Rights Protection Award
- Winner — Kerri Cassidy, Chronic Cerebro Spinal Venous Insufficiency (CCSVI) Australia, VIC
- Winner — Kairsty Wilson, AED Legal Centre, VIC
2015
Lesley Hall Award for Lifetime Achievement in Disability
- Winner — Keran Howe, Melbourne, VIC
- Finalist — Maurice Gleeson, OAM, Blind Sports and Recreation Victoria, Kooyong, VIC
- Finalist — Trudy Ryall, Ashwood, VIC
Joint Ministers’ Award in Inclusive Development
- Winner — Alexandra Kay, Scope Global Pty Ltd, Oakhurst, NSW
Emerging Leader in Disability Awareness
- Winner — Connor McLeod, Oakhurst, NSW
- Winner — Kate Swaffer, Burnside, SA
- Finalist — Cashelle Dunn, Melbourne, VIC
- Finalist — Chris Varney, Kew, VIC
Excellence in Choice and Control in Service Delivery
- Winner — Mind Recovery College, Cheltenham, VIC
- Finalist — Alex Miller, Western Health, Footscray, VIC
- Finalist — Karen Thompson, Ballina, NSW
Excellence in Advocacy
- Winner — Julie Phillips, Melbourne, VIC
- Winner — Karen Williams, Queensland Public Interest Law Cleaning House, Kangaroo Point, QLD
- Finalist — Greg Killeen, Banksmeadow, NSW
- Finalist — Jo Ragen, Collaroy Beach, NSW
- Finalist — Rebus Theatre, Kippax, ACT
Excellence in Accessible Technology
- Winner — Peter Ford, Sydney, NSW
- Winner — Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children, North Rocks, NSW
Excellence in Community Accessibility
- Winner — Jessica May, Canberra City, ACT
- Winner — Kidney Health Australia Big Red Kidney Bus Holiday Dialysis Project, South Melbourne, VIC
- Winner — MJD Foundation Ltd, Alyangula, NT
- Winner — My Choice Matters (incorporating My Learning Matters), Surry Hills, NSW
- Winner — Parks Victoria, Melbourne VIC
- Finalist — Fishers with Disabilities Association Incorporated, Woodvale, WA
- Finalist — Sam Almaliki, Cricket Australia, Jolimont, VIC
- Finalist — Western Australian Motor Industry Foundation Inc, Joondalup, WA
- Finalist — Wynyard Yacht Club Inc, Wynyard, TAS
2014
Lesley Hall Award for Lifetime Achievement in Disability
- Winner — Bill Bradley, Hornsby, NSW
- Finalist — Tricia Malowney, Ringwood, Vic.
- Finalist — Jill Wishart, Brighton, SA
Emerging Leaders Award in Disability
- Winner — Jordanna Smith, Sutherland, NSW
- Finalist — Brandon Ah Tong, Melbourne, Vic.
- Finalist — William Johns, Bankstown, NSW
Improving Inclusive and Accessible Communities Award
- Winner — Rebecca Ho/Touched by Olivia, Drummoyne, NSW
- Finalist — Jervis Bay Wild, Huskisson, NSW
- Finalist — Opera Australia, Southbank, Vic.
Improving Advocacy and Rights Promotion Award
- Winner — First Peoples Disability Network, Redfern, NSW, (National)
- Finalist — Self Advocacy Resource Unit, Melbourne, Vic.
- Finalist — The Umbrella Network, Rockhampton, Qld
Improving Employment Opportunities Award
- Winner — John McDonald, Browns Plains, Qld
- Winner — Saronbell, North Gosford, NSW
- Finalist — Australia Post, Melbourne, Vic., National
Improving Personal and Community Support Award
- Winner — Technology Assisting Disability WA (TADWA), Bassendean, WA
- Finalist — Cerebral Palsy Support Network, Preston, Vic.
- Finalist — Community Leadership Loddon Murray Inc., North-Central Vic.
Improving Education Outcomes Award
- Winner — Everyone, Everyday Project Team, Disability ACT, Community Services Directorate, ACT Government, Canberra, ACT
- Winner — Stirling Community Early Learning Centre, Stirling, SA
Health and Wellbeing Outcomes Award
- Winner — Vicdeaf (SLC VIC)/Emergency Management Victoria, East Melbourne, Vic.
- Finalist — Julian Trollor and his team at the Department of Developmental Disability Neuropsychiatry (known as 3DN), University of New South Wales, Australia
- Finalist — Living Safer Sexual Lives: Respectful Relationships, Bendigo, Vic.
2013
Prime Minister’s Award for Outstanding Achievement
- Winner – Vale Lesley Hall 1954 – 2013
Lesley Hall Award for Lifetime Achievement in Disability
- Winner – Ann Procter, Duffy, ACT
- Winner – John Moxon, Northmead NSW
- Finalist – Sue Salthouse, Chisholm, ACT
Emerging Leaders Award in Disability
- Winner – Huy Nguyen, Canberra, ACT
- Finalist – Drisana Levitzke-Gray, Balga, WA
- Finalist – Sam Brabham OAM, Fitzroy, VIC
Excellence in Accessible Communities Award
- Winner – Western Desert Dialysis, Alice Springs, NT
- Finalist – Merrigong Theatre Company, Wollongong, NSW
- Finalist – Beatty Park Swim School Angelfish Program, City of Vincent, North Perth, WA
Excellence in Improving Social Participation Award
- Winner – Penrith City Council, Penrith, NSW
- Finalist ‒ The Adelaide Festival, Adelaide, SA
- Finalist ‒ Vital Statistix and Gaelle Mellis, Port Adelaide, SA
Excellence in Advocacy and Rights Promotion Award
- Winner ‒ Robert Pask, Bentleigh East, VIC
- Finalist – Kairsty Wilson, Melbourne, VIC
- Finalist – Professor Christine Bigby, Melbourne, VIC
Excellence in Improving Employment Opportunities
- Winner – ABLE- Westpac Group Employee Action Group for Access Ability (ABLE), National
- Finalist – Key Employment, Coffs Harbour, NSW
- Finalist – ANZ, National
Excellence in Improving Personal and Community Support Award
- Winner – Hear For You, National
- Finalist – Damon Taylor, Terranora, NSW
- Finalist – Spinal Injuries Association, Wolloongabba, QLD
Excellence in Improving Education Outcomes Award
- Winner –Down Syndrome Victoria, Fitzroy, VIC
- Finalist – Growing Towards Wellness, Bunbury, WA
- Finalist – St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School, Lochinvar, NSW
Excellence in Improving Health and Wellbeing Outcomes Award
- Winner – Susan Race, St Albans, VIC
- Finalist – Naomi Snell, Bayswater Nth, VIC
- Finalist – MND Aware, Gladesville, NSW
Yooralla Media Award of Distinction
- Winner – The Project, Network Ten
View the Media Release by Senator the Hon Mitch Fifield, 26 November 2013 or view the 2013 Awards photo gallery.
2012
2012 Prime Minister’s Outstanding Achievement Award
- Winner – Dr Rhonda Galbally, AO, Richmond, VIC.
Minister’s Award for Excellence in Disability Reform
- Winner – Michael Small, Sandy Bay, Tas.
- Winner – Samantha Jenkinson, Karrinyup, WA.
Emerging Leaders Award
- Winner – Gerard O’Dwyer, Guildford, NSW
- Finalist – Samantha Parsonage, Allambie Heights, NSW
- Finalist – Audrey O’Connor, Denistone, NSW
Excellence in Accessible Communities Award
- Winner – Safe Futures, Eastern Region, Vic
- Finalist – Andrew Fulton, North Rocks, NSW
- Finalist – Warringah Council, Dee Why, NSW
Excellence in Improving Social Participation
- Winner – The Captioning Studio, Adelaide, SA
- Winner – Australian Communication Exchange, Stones Corner, Qld
- Finalist – The Other Film Festival, South Melbourne, Vic
- Finalist – Alison Richardson, Parramatta, NSW
Excellence in Advocacy & Rights Promotion Award
- Winner – Communication Rights Australia, Moorabbin, Vic
- Finalist – Speak Out, Reach Out, Sydney, NSW
- Finalist – Joy Clarke, Irymple, Vic
Excellence in Improving Employment Opportunities Award
- Winner – Telstra Corporation, National
- Finalist – Australian Dairy Buffalo Co. Millaa Millaa, Qld
- Finalist – McDonalds, Erina, NSW
Excellence in Improving Personal and Community Support Award
- Winner – Mary D’Elia, Hobart, Tas
- Finalist – Scope Communication Resource Centre, Box Hill, Vic
- Finalist – Australian Foundation for Disability, (AFFORD) Sydney, NSW
Excellence in Improving Education Outcomes Award
- Winner – Geoffrey Warren, Clifton Hill, Vic
- Finalist – RIDBC Renwick Centre (Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children/The University of Newcastle), NSW
- Finalist – Angelo Gavrielatos, Southbank, Vic
Excellence in Improving Health Outcomes Award
- Winner – Family Planning Qld, Fortitute Valley, Qld
- Finalist – The Machado Joseph Disease Foundation, Groote Eylandt, NT
- Finalist – Dr Michael Adams, Belair, SA
Yooralla Media Award
- Yooralla Media Award of Distinction Winner – The Project, Network Ten, Vic
View the Media Release by the Hon Jenny Macklin MP, 28 November 2012 or view the 2012 Awards photo gallery.
2011
Minister’s Lifelong Achievement Award
- Winner – Frank Hall-Bentick
- Finalist – Marelle Thornton AM
- Finalist – Michael Simpson, Enfield, NSW
Young Disability Challenge Award
- Winner – Katrina Lancaster
- Finalist – Elisha Bramhall
- Finalist – Peter Hall
Business Award
- Winner – Alcoa Aluminium Smelter – Point Henry
- Finalist – Woolworths Ltd
- Finalist – Ai-Media
Local Government Award
- Winner – Mandurah City Council
- Finalist – Lismore City Council
- Finalist – City of Canada Bay Council
Social Inclusion Award
- Winner – Technical Aid to the Disabled (ACT) Incorporated
- Finalist – BRACE Education Training Employment
- Finalist – Personalised Lifestyle Assistance
Inclusive and Accessible Communities Award
- Winner – Housing Choices Australia
- Finalist – Travability
- Finalist – Touched By Olivia Foundation
Health and Wellbeing Award
- Winner – Parks Victoria
- Finalist – Growing Towards Wellness Pty Ltd
- Finalist – City of Bayswater
Yooralla Media Award for Excellence
- Winner – Nance Haxton
- Finalist – Koren Helbig
- Finalist – Max Futcher
Prime Minister’s Special Award
- Mr John Walsh AM
View the Media Release by the Hon Jenny Macklin MP, 22 November 2011 or view the 2011 Awards photo gallery.
2010
Minister’s Lifelong Achievement Award
- Winner – Mary Guy
- Finalist – Frank Hall-Bentick
Young Disability Challenge Award
- Winner – Laura Miller
- Finalist – Timothy Sharp
Business Award – Large Business
- Winner – Coles
- Finalist – ANZ
- Finalist – Haigh’s Chocolates
Business Award – Small Business
- Winner – D.C.T Associates Pty Ltd
- Finalist – Mandurah Taxis
Local Government Award
- Winner – Ian Chill & Cairns Regional Council
- Finalist – Penrith City Council
- Finalist – City of Playford
Social Inclusion Award – School focus
- Winner – Dianne McRoberts
- Finalist – Sandra Newbery & Cranleigh School
Social Inclusion Award – Community Group focus
- Winner – Sheila King
- Finalist – Restless Dance Theatre
- Finalist – Jenine Davis & Scouting for All
Accessible Housing Award
- Winner – Angela Roennfeldt
- Finalist – Community Housing Limited
- Finalist – Landcom
TAC Yooralla Media Award for Excellence
- Winner – Nic Falconer
- Finalist – Natasha Mitchell
View the Media Release by the Hon Jenny Macklin MP, 23 November 2010 or view the 2010 Awards photo gallery.
2009
Minister’s Lifelong Achievement Award
- Winner – Sue Gordon
- Winner – Robert Strike
- Finalist – Patricia Davies
Disability Rights Young Leader Award
- Winner – Dudley Afford
- Finalist – Amanda Wait
- Finalist – Sereako Treloggen
Business Award
- Winner – Tina Zeleznik
- Finalist – Suzanne Colbert
- Finalist – Steven Farrugia
Local Government Award
- Winner – Michael Taggart
- Finalist – Jackie Greenow
- Finalist – Dr John MacPherson
Social Inclusion Award
- Winner – Melissa Noonan
- Finalist – Ann Slater
- Finalist – Caroline Conlon
View the Media Release by the Hon Jenny Macklin MP, 23 November 2009.
2008
Community Contribution Award
- Winner – Bill Bradley
- Finalist – Greg Killeen
- Finalist – Mark Bagshaw
- Finalist – Bobbie Blackson
Young Community Contribution Award
- Winner – Sarah Cullen
- Finalist – Sam Broughton
- Finalist – Ping Lian Yeak
Inclusion Award
- Winner – Katherine Fisher
- Finalist – Sarah Barton
- Finalist – Alan Robertson
- Finalist – Pat Rix
Go Getter Award
- Winner– Amethyst Barnbrook
- Finalist – Glenn Corbett
Personal Achievement Award
- Winner – Anne McDonald
- Finalist – Janice Daisley
View the Media Release by the Hon Jenny Macklin MP, 11 November 2008.
2007
Community Contribution Award
- Winner – Keith Hayes
- Finalist – Andrew Buchanan
- Finalist – Stephen Brown
- Finalist – Melissa Ryan
Young Community Contribution Award
- Winner – Michael Curran
- Finalist – Dawson Ko
- Finalist – Chris Van Ingen
- Finalist – James Vantol
- Finalist – Sean Webber
- Finalist – Joshua Yates
Inclusion Award
- Winner – Dawn Brooks
- Finalist – Philip French
- Finalist – Peter Persson
- Finalist – Richard Stubbs
Go Getter Award
- Winner – Darren Lomman
- Finalist – Alicia Hemmings
- Finalist – Jayme Paris
Personal Achievement Award
- Winner – Joel Satherley
- Finalist – Michael Evans
- Finalist – Kristian Kupsch
- Finalist – Mike Rowney
- Finalist – Carolyn Campbell-McLean
- Finalist – Glynis Thyer
View the Media Release by the Hon Jenny Macklin MP, 4 December 2007.