Is there an LGBTI community member you admire, or a person or organisation you know that has helped the LGBTI community and deserves to be recognised for their efforts? Then you can shine a light on your community hero by nominating them for an Honour Award.
The Honour Awards is an annual gala fundraising event for LGBTI community initiatives supported by leading LGBTI community charity the Aurora Group, and by ACON, NSW’s leading HIV prevention, HIV support and LGBTI health organisation.
Nominations can be submitted in eight categories covering the business, health, education, community, legal, political, media and cultural sectors. Nominations are free and can be submitted on the Honour Awards website. Nominations close at 5pm on Wednesday 31 August.
A judging panel selects four finalists in each category with the winner announced on the night of the awards. Winners receive a range of gifts, and all 32 finalists – as well as the people** who nominate them – receive a free ticket to the gala event.
Aurora Chair Alison King says the Honour Awards provides a valuable opportunity to pay tribute to people and organisations that are making a difference in the lives of LGBTI people in NSW.
“We all hear lots of wonderful and moving stories of how people from all walks of life are helping or inspiring others in our community and that’s what we want to celebrate through the Honour Awards,” Ms King said.
“So we’re inviting community members to nominate people or organisations they feel have provided leadership or achieved outstanding success within the LGBTI community or have provided excellent service or made a significant contribution to the LGBTI community.”
ACON President Justin Koonin says the Honour Awards are about recognising and celebrating all kinds of achievements and contributions from many who may not always be in the limelight.
“As a community, it’s important that we celebrate our unsung heroes as well as our more high profile achievers, so we’re keen to hear about people and organisations who have made a difference in the lives of only a few people as well those whose contributions are more wide-ranging. They can be people or organisations who directly help others, whose work is improving the wellbeing of our community, or whose achievements are inspiring people in our community.”
“To help make the Awards a really special occasion, we’ve teamed up again with key LGBTI community organisations such as the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras, Sydney Gay & Lesbian Business Association and SX Magazine. We also have some great event partners this year including Foxtel, Ivy/Merivale, Glyde Health and Crowd Comms. We thank all these organisations for their generosity and support.”
This year’s awards will be presented at a gala ceremony and cocktail party at The Ivy Ballroom in Sydney on Thursday 29 September. The finalists and their guests will join a host of government, media, entertainment and community personalities for a fabulous night of celebration.
Guests will also be able to bid on $100,000 worth of amazing silent auction items including luxury holidays, jewellery, art, furniture, homewares, and 5-star dining, accommodation and entertainment packages.
WHAT: 2016 Honour Awards
WHERE: Ivy Ballroom, 330 George St, Sydney
WHEN: Thursday 29 September 2016, 6:30pm – 11pm
COST: $85 per person (inc. quality wines and beers, delicious canapés & entertainment)
INFO/TIX: www.honourawards.com.au
Community Partners: Aurora Group | Sydney Gay and Lesbian Business Association | Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras | SX Magazine
Event Partners: Foxtel | Merivale/Ivy | GLYDE Health | Crowd Comms
ENDS
*LGBTI = lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex
**only the first person to nominate a finalist gets a free ticket
For more information please contact:
David Alexander, ACON Media and Communications Officer
E: dalexander@acon.org.au T: +61 (02) 9206 2044 M: +61 (0)428 477 042