World champion triathlete Bill Chaffey recently highlighted the recent Gold Coast Commonwealth Games as a positive example of access and inclusion at an event.
He was speaking at the official launch of the sixth annual Tweed Shire Access and Inclusion Awards.
Can the Tweed Shire go one better?
No doubt attendees at this year’s nomination launch, held last week at Pottsville Beach Neighbourhood Centre, are hoping so.
Indeed the centre itself is a previous winner of two major access and inclusion awards.
Mr Chaffey, who is the awards’ patron, told the audience that this year’s Games were ‘a great example of inclusion’ and one of his best sporting experiences.
‘I hope my profile as an athlete will gain the attention of the community and make people think about making a nomination,’ he said.
Tweed Shire Council’s Ageing and Disability Community Development Officer, Karen Collins, said she encouraged people to nominate to ‘show the community who is doing a great job for access and inclusion in the Tweed Shire’.
‘The awards have grown since they started in 2013 with more of the community becoming aware that being included is a basic right no matter who you are,’ Ms Collins said.
‘Access means you can go where you want to in the community and inclusion means when you go out you feel welcome and are treated with respect. Everyone is responsible for making this happen. Your nomination sends a message that access and inclusion is important for the whole community.’
Councillor Warren Polglase, who is also a member of Council’s Equal Access Advisory Committee (EAAC), was also at the launch event.
‘These awards are an important event that has grown in prestige since they started in 2013. They have really made a difference in the way the community thinks about being inclusive,’ Cr Polglase said.
Businesses, organisations, community groups and individuals can be nominated for an award. To be eligible for nomination the nominee must:
- provide services and/or operate a business in the Tweed Shire local government area;
- show they have taken action to improve access and inclusion particularly for people with a disability, or with challenges related to ageing;
- show their efforts to improve access and inclusion are above and beyond what would be expected as a usual part of their job or organisation.
To make a nomination, go to www.tweed.nsw.gov.au/AccessInclusionAwards.
Nominations are open until Friday September 28. The winners of the Access and Inclusion Awards will be announced at an event at Seagulls Club at Tweed Heads West on 3 December, which is International Day of People with Disability.