23 August 2010

Members of NSW's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community have just a few days left to nominate people and organisations for a 2010 Honour Award.

Now in their fourth year, the Honour Awards are an annual gala fundraising event for ACON, NSW's and Australia's largest GLBT health and HIV/AIDS organisation.

For the first time this year community members have been invited to nominate people or organisations they feel have provided leadership or achieved outstanding success within the GLBT community or have provided excellent service or made a significant contribution to the GLBT community. Nominations close at 5pm on Monday 30 August 2010.

Nominations can be submitted in five categories covering the business, health, education, community, legal, political, media and cultural sectors. Nominations are free and can be submitted on the Honour website (www.honourawards.com.au). The winners will be presented with a range of gifts and prizes at a gala ceremony and cocktail party at The Ivy in Sydney on Thursday 30 September.

ACON CEO Nicolas Parkhill says the Honour Awards are all about helping the good work in our community get the recognition it deserves. "I encourage community members to nominate people or organisations they think deserve to be Honour-ed and get their friends and associates to do the same. The people or organisations don't have to be high profile - the Honour Awards are about recognising achievements and contributions of all shapes and sizes.

"For example, a journalist or entertainer could be nominated for the Media/Arts/Entertainment Award for raising awareness about issues affecting the GLBT community. A doctor, researcher of political activist could be nominated for the Health and Wellbeing Award for services to people with HIV. A cultural group could be nominated for the Community Organisation Award for providing an outstanding service to the GLBT community. And any of the above people could be nominated for the Community Hero Award."

Mr Parkhill says money raised from tickets sales and a silent auction on the night will help fund ACON's vital work in the community.

"While ACON gets a significant amount of funding from NSW Health, that money can only be spent on work we do in relation to HIV/AIDS," he says. "Our broader work in relation to GLBT health and wellbeing - such as alcohol and other drugs, lesbian health, anti-violence, mental health, ageing, community care and advocacy - is financed by one off grants, fundraising activities and donations.

"To keep this important work going, we rely on the generosity of people and organisations in our community. By coming along to the Honour Awards, community members, their friends and associates can celebrate the dynamic spirit of our community and, at the same time, raise money to help ACON build our community's health and wellbeing."

WHAT: Honour 2010 - Awards Ceremony and Cocktail Party

WHERE: Sun Room, The Ivy, 330 George St, Sydney

WHEN: Thursday 30 September 2010

TIME: 7pm - 11pm

COST: $85 per person (inc. quality wines and beers, delicious canapés and fabulous entertainment)

INFO/TIX: www.honourawards.com.au