LOCAL Noosa businesses and charities have been honoured at the 2015 Inclusive Community Champions award ceremony held at the Noosa Regional Gallery last Thursday (17 September).
Councillor Tony Wellington hosted the ceremony that honoured those in the community who had gone above and beyond to make their community accessible to everyone.
The awards are an initiative of Spinal Injuries Australia, who have advocated for equality since 1960.
The Noosa winners included Noosa Clinic for excellence in accessibility, Noosa Shire Council for their book Noosa Design Principles, which was honoured with the award for excellence in innovation, plus Sunshine Butterflies who won the excellence in education and awareness raising award.
Noosa Library Service was also honoured on the day with an award for outstanding public facilities and programs, while Caltex Star Mart Tewantin was awarded for the excellence in accessible transport by offering to pump petrol for those who can’t.
Spinal Injuries Australia general manager of community development John Mayo said the winners should be commended for their outstanding efforts.
“We hope that by recognising and promoting their achievements, our winners will inspire others to think about accessibility,” he said.
“For example, Leanne Walsh founded Sunshine Butterflies in 2005 to improve the lives of people with disabilities and their families, with services including support groups, recreational activities and respite.”
Mr Mayo said Leanne and her husband Damien had a son with cerebral palsy and knew first-hand the challenges an individual and their families could face every day.
Mr Mayo said the introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in Queensland from 1 July 2016, would give people more opportunities to participate in their community.
“The NDIS will give people with a disability more freedom and choice about their individual needs and what they want to achieve in their lives,” he said.
