Lord Mayoral Awards – Winners Announced

Winners of the Lord Mayoral Awards, which celebrate people who advocate for the rights and well-being of people with a disability, have been announced at the Carnival of Fun, coinciding with International Day of People with a Disability.

Now in their second year, the Awards are an initiative of the DiversAbility Collective, which includes representatives from the disability sector, support agencies, the NT Government and City of Darwin.

The Awards have two categories, The Champion Award – for a person with a disability who has made an outstanding contribution advocating for the rights and well-being of people with a disability, and The Rising Star Award – for a person under 25 years with a disability who makes an on-going contribution to their school, workplace or community advocating for the rights and well-being of people with a disability.  

Sara Braines-Mead, General Manager Integrated disAbility Action Inc, said it was important to recognise the efforts of people in the community who contributed to ensuring the lives of people with a disability were full and rewarding.

“These Awards see people working hard behind the scenes in our community get the recognition they deserve and provide the entire community with an opportunity to acknowledge the work they do,” Ms Braines-Mead said.

Lord Mayor Vatskalis said “I’m delighted to be involved with these Awards, which celebrate the work of individuals in the community who work so tirelessly for others.”

“Without these Awards much of their work may go unnoticed, and the aim is to acknowledge inclusivity and appreciate champions within our community.”

“I hope this Award program assists in some small way to advocate the need for improved services and infrastructure for people with a disability.”

‘Carnival of Fun’ was held on Thursday 3 November, coinciding with International Day of People with a Disability, at Netball NT Stadium Marrara. The event was hosted by DiversAbility Collective and included a range of free fun activities for people of all ages and abilities.   2020 Winners Are:

The Champion Award - A person who has made an outstanding contribution to the community advocating for the rights and well-being of people with disability   Winner: Daniel Noone Daniel Noone was medically discharged from the military nine years ago, after which he completed a Certificate IV (4) in Disability and started working in the disability services sector in personal care. In 2018 Daniel moved to the Northern Territory to work at National Disability Services, where he works with youth, encouraging them to consider a career in the disability sector. Daniel is now project coordinator of an exciting project that includes a Virtual Reality Induction tool and a skills program aimed to increase young Indigenous persons to work in the Human Services Sector.   Highly Commended: Clarence (CJ) McCarthy-Grogan Clarence McCarthy-Grogan better known as ‘CJ’, is a Yanyuwa, Garrawa, Kuku-Yalanji man from Darwin. CJ’s physical disability has effected both of his legs but has not prevented him from pursuing competitive level sport at an international level, including representing his country in the Australian U23 Spinners Men’s Wheelchair Basketball team in 2013, bringing home a bronze medal. CJ has been selected for the Australian Rollers Squad and hopes to represent Australia at the 2021 Paralympics in Tokyo.   The Rising Star Award - A person under 25 who makes an ongoing contribution to their school, workplace or community advocating for the rights and well-being of people with disability   Winner: Dwight Clancey A past Henbury School student, Dwight Clancey, is a current volunteer at Headspace Darwin. At Headspace, Dwight helps the team to provide inclusive services, including to young people with a disability, by showing understanding and support to young people in the area of mental health.