Finalists Announced For 2012 Honour Awards

A diverse and inspirational mix of 20 people and organisations have been announced as finalists for the 2012 Honour Awards.

Now in their sixth year, the Honour Awards are an annual event which recognise outstanding achievements within or contributions to NSW's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) community. The awards are also a gala fundraising event for ACON, NSW's and Australia's largest GLBT health and HIV/AIDS organisation.

The 20 finalists were selected from over 100 nominations received across five categories covering the business, health, education, community, legal, political, media and cultural sectors. (NB! - All finalists are listed below this media release)

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 20 September.

ACON CEO Nicolas Parkhill says the judges were impressed with the quality and variety of nominations. "The judging panel noted that selecting the finalists was a difficult process because the achievements and contributions of all the nominees were remarkable in their own way," Mr Parkhill says.

"However, the judges agreed that the finalists they selected exhibited a truly outstanding commitment to supporting the GLBT community and deserved to be recognised for their efforts.

"I congratulate all the finalists and look forward to them and other members of our community coming together to celebrate their achievements at the Honour awards ceremony at the Ivy on 20 September."

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:              2012 Honour Awards Ceremony and Cocktail Party
WHERE:           Sun Room, The Ivy, 330 George St, Sydney
WHEN:             Thursday 20 September 20121240
TIME:               6:30pm – 11pm
COST:              $85 per person (inc. quality wines and beers, delicious canapés and fabulous entertainment
BUY TIX:         www.honourawards.com.au/tickets

2012 Honour Award Finalists

Business Award (presented by Sydney Gay and Lesbian Business Association)

• Aussie Boys – Sydney-based fashion retailer with over 30 years of service to the GLBT community and long-time supporter of GLBT charities
• Metro Entertainment – Newcastle-based production company helping to revitalize the city’s GLBTIQ community through innovative events and partnerships
• Stonewall Hotel – leading Oxford St entertainment venue with 15 years of service to the GLBT community and significant supporter of GLBT charities and community organisations
• DNA Magazine – internationally distributed magazine produced in Sydney that has provided a unique voice for and perspective of gay culture for over 12 years 

Media/Arts/Entertainment Award (presented by SX)

• Den Magazine – recently established Newcastle-based magazine and website dedicated to developing the local GLBTIQ community 
• Tommy Murphy – internationally recognised playwright whose work has helped offer readers and audiences a valuable insight into gay lives and culture
• marie claire, Sunrise and I Do Campaign Amabassadors – for producing and promoting a high profile campaign supporting marriage equality    
• Bad Dog – for over 12 years, this creative co-op has produced unique entertainment experiences for GLBT community members seeking get togethers outside the mainstream GLBT club scene      

Health and Wellbeing Award (presented by GLYDE Health)

• John O’Dea – has provided over 20 years of volunteer service to the GLBT community as a key member of both the Mature Age Gays support group and the ACON condom packing team
• Stuart Garskie – IDAHO NSW founder and inspirational volunteer health promoter and GLBT community leader in Western Sydney
• The Pinnacle Foundation – volunteer-based organisation that provides scholarships to marginalised and/or disadvantaged GLBTIQ young people
• Rail Corp’s Equity and Diversity Unit – GLBT workplace support group for NSW Rail Corp employees and significant supporter of GLBT charities and community organisations

Community Organisation Award (presented by Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras)

• Camp Out – volunteer-based group that runs personal development camps for GLBTIQ teens
• The Ankali Project – volunteer-based service in Sydney that has provided emotional and social support for over 27 years for people affected by HIV/AIDS  
• Trikone – support and social group for GLBT people from a South Asian cultural background
• Gen Q/Regional Youth Support Services – Gen Q is a peer-run support group for young GLBTIQ people that has been operating in the Central Coast region for 15 years with the support of RYSS.

Community Hero Award (presented by ACON)

• Pip Ditzell – has spent over seven years building bridges between the GLBT community and mainstream services as the City of Sydney’s GLBT Project Coordinator   
• Chief Supt Donna Adney – has shown outstanding leadership over the last five years through her successful efforts to improve the relationship between the NSW Police Force and the GLBT community
• Alex Greenwich – as the national convenor of Australian Marriage Equality, Alex has been instrumental in taking the issue of marriage equality debate from impossible to inevitable
• Susan Brooks – has provided many years of service to the GLBT community as a member/supporter of several key GLBT community organisations and most recently as a founding and key member of The Pinnacle Foundation which provides scholarships and mentorships to marginalised and/or disadvantaged GLBTIQ young people

ENDS - Media contact:  Michael Badorrek, ACON Media and Communications Manager

T: (02) 9206 2001     M: 0400 358 109     E: mbadorrek@acon.org.au