Mayoral Awards Now Open
Published in Centralian Advocate Newspaper
Tuesday 23 October 2018
By Annie & Sarah Ernst
The 2018 Alice Springs Mayoral Awards are now open, until 5pm on Wednesday 15 November 2018. Presentations will take place on 3 December, to coincide with the International Day of Persons with Disability (IDPwD). People with and without disability are encouraged to nominate.
IDPwD is a day to promote understanding and support for rights, well-being and dignity for all persons with disability. The importance of embedding universal access across every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life is a key focus of IDPwD and submissions that nominate people who support this aim are particularly encouraged.
Categories are:
1. The Noteworthy Award, for ‘A person with disability who has made a noteworthy contribution to the community’.
2. The Champion Award, for ‘A person with or without disability who has been an advocate for the rights and well-being of people with disability’
Additionally, the Michele Castagna Medal, will be awarded to one applicant across the two categories. The award is to recognise an individual that displays tenacity of service to people with disability.
Michele Castagna OAM was a highly respected leader and tireless advocate for people with disability. She was integral to establishing the Mayoral Awards and a determined advocate on Council’s Access Advisory Committee for 20 years. For many years, she also served at different times on the board of the Disability Advocacy Service (DAS) and also spent time as the Manager of DAS. The Michele Castagna Medal was created in her honour after her passing in 2016.
The Mayoral Awards recognise people in our community who work hard to make a difference. This should be demonstrated either by actions in the way they live their own lives, or through commitments and actions for others. Past award recipients in 2017 were Royston Thompson (Noteworthy Award), Tiffany Keane (Champion Award), and Karen Stewart (Michele Castagna Medal). All previous winners are listed on the Alice Springs Town Council website.
To nominate somebody for an award, there are several options, both assisted and unassisted. Forms are available on the Alice Springs Town Council Website. DAS can also print out forms upon request and provide assistance in completing award submissions if required. DAS can be found at 4/54 Reg Harris Lane or contacted on 8953 1422 from 9:00am – 4:30pm Monday to Friday.
DAS offers a free, confidential advocacy service to persons and families with a disability, supporting and empowering clients to exercise their own rights in accordance with the NT Disability Advocacy Standards. In everything DAS does, it seeks to create an inclusive community that recognises, respects, and provides equitable access for persons with a disability.
To get involved in IDPwD, visit their website at www.idpwd.com.au and don’t forget to join in the celebrations on 3 December! More details will be published in this column closer to IDPwD.
For more information about the Mayoral Awards, contact Alice Springs Town Council on 08 8950 0500 or at [email protected] Information packs and nomination forms can be downloaded from the Alice Springs Town Council website – http://www.alicesprings.nt.gov.au/events/mayoral-awards