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Business disABILITY Awards

October’s sold-out gala awards dinner recognised social and workplace inclusion and attracted a record number of nominations and entries across ten award categories. The event was attended by 368 guests at the Wellcamp Airport Passenger Terminal, in Wellcamp who were joined by Master of Ceremonies (MC), Business disABILITY Awards committee member and event founder Kim Stokes. The event’s top gong, the Judy Antonio Memorial Award, was awarded to Sharon Boyce, who is an educator and disability advocate. She wears many different hats and performs many different roles. She is the current chair of the Queensland Disability Advisory Council, a part -time lecturer at the University of Southern Queensland (USQ), and a consultant in disability awareness, working across Queensland. Sharon is a champion for people living with a disability for further inclusion in the community. Guests were entertained by Australian opera singer Tim McCallum and keynote speaker Tom Nash, who had both his legs and arms amputated at the age of 19, as a result of contracting the deadly Meningococcal Septicaemia. Tom spoke of his life experiences being a successful Australian DJ, business entrepreneur and his philosophies for life. The Awards recognise people and businesses who are helping to create a more inclusive workplace and community for all abilities. Winners were announced in ten award categories including the Elissa Flanagan ‘Aim High’ Scholarship, named in honour of the young woman who was involved in a fatal road accident on her way home from the Awards event in 2015. Elissa’s family including her husband Rob Whitby and three children attended the event to present the scholarship to the winner. ELISSA FLANAGAN ‘AIM HIGH’ SCHOLARSHIP (Sponsored by David Janetzki MP and Trevor Watts MP) Winner: Fraser Wiedman. OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER AWARD (Sponsored by Angie’s Domestic Duties) Winner: Nadia Brady. BUSINESS ENGAGEMENT AWARD (Sponsored by McConachie Stedman) Winner: Vinita Saunders. Congratulations to all the award winners.