Nominations have opened for the 2019 Australian Honour Awards, with members of the LGBTIQ+ community encouraged to shine a spotlight on individuals and organisations whose service and achievements have made a difference to the lives of LGBTIQ+ people.
Since it was first held back in 2007, the Honour Awards have celebrated the outstanding service to, and achievements within, Australia's LGBTIQ+ community, raising vital funds for the community initiatives delivered by ACON, NSW’s leading HIV prevention, HIV support and LGBTIQ+ health organisation.
Nominations can be submitted in nine categories including community, health, business, entertainment, visual arts, media, HIV, youth and community service sectors - with a judging panel of community peers selecting four finalists in each category. with the winner announced on the night of the awards.
The Honour Awards are all about celebrating how people from all walks of life are helping or inspiring others in our community.
According to ACON President Dr Justin Koonin, the Honour Awards are about celebrating all kinds of achievements or contribution from people in LGBTIQ+ communities, many of whom have their efforts go unsung.
“The Honour Awards are all about celebrating how people from all walks of life are helping or inspiring others in our community," Dr Koonin said.
"Every day, people and organisations from right across our community are helping others in different ways, and the awards are about acknowledging all kinds of community service, whether big or small."
He continued: “As a community, it’s important that we celebrate those whose names don’t make the headlines, as well as our more high-profile achievers. So we’re keen to hear about people and organisations that have made a difference whether it be in the lives of only a few people, or whose contributions are more wide-ranging. To have community nominating and celebrating community is what the Honour Awards are all about.”
Dr Shirleene Robinson received the 2018 Media Award. Source: Supplied
Last year, historian, writer and community activist Dr Shirleene Robinson received the Media Award for her extensive body of work in the media focusing on LGBTIQ+ history, as well as drawing attention to other LGBTIQ+ issues such as the ongoing fight for same-sex marriage and the experiences of LGBTIQ+ personnel in the defence force.
“It was really wonderful to win the Honour Award and to be recognised for my media work – having that recognition from my own community was a truly unique and special experience,” Dr Robinson said.
“The Honour Awards are really important in bringing together people and having that moment of celebration and acknowledgement.
Dr Robinson urged communities to nominate someone for an Honour Award to make sure unsung heroes are acknowledged for the important work they do.
“Having that night where people receive that recognition from the community is really special – it’s a really unifying moment for our community and I think it helps to drive important work for our communities forward.”
