23 August 2010

NSW Seniors Week is putting the grey in gay by becoming a presenting partner for the 2010 Honour Awards, NSW’s annual gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) community awards. 

The Honour Awards are an annual gala fundraising event for ACON, NSW’s and Australia’s largest GLBT health and HIV/AIDS organisation.

NSW Seniors Week will present the 2010 Honour Health and Wellbeing Award which recognises the work of a person or organisation that has provided leadership or achieved outstanding success within the GLBT community OR has provided excellent service or made a significant contribution to the GLBT community in the fields of medicine, healthcare, spirituality, sport, education, research and/or advocacy.

Produced by the NSW Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care (DADHC), the 2011 NSW Seniors Week will run from 20-27 March and will feature a range of events and activities for senior citizens in NSW.

ACON CEO Nicolas Parkhill says NSW Seniors Week is proud to be supporting the 2010 Honour Awards. “There are many significant ways that people and organisations improve the health and wellbeing of people in the GLBT community and we’re delighted that NSW Seniors Week will be presenting the Honour award that recognises this important work,” Mr Parkhill says.   

“We’re also delighted that the organisers of NSW Seniors Week are providing this valuable opportunity to acknowledge the role that older people play in our community. About 35,000 people in NSW over the age of 55 identify as gay or lesbian and their contribution to our community deserves to be celebrated.”

Nominations for the Honour Awards 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). There is also a range of gifts and prizes to be won.

This year’s awards will be presented at a gala ceremony and cocktail party at The Ivy in Sydney on Thursday 30 September. The finalists from each category will join a host of media, entertainment and community personalities for a fabulous night of fun and festivity. ACON CEO Nicolas 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

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