Scott’s creativity extends into projects like The Democratic Set and RADIAL, which give communities a chance to tell their stories in fresh and inclusive ways. He openly speaks about the importance of celebrating disability and making sure everyone is treated equally. Scott’s mix of artistry, advocacy and leadership makes him a talented actor and role model.

Clare’s podcast, MS Understood, shares conversations about Multiple Sclerosis with thousands of listeners and offers practical strategies. Her speaking engagements, advocacy and fundraising highlight the importance of accessibility and inclusive spaces. She is studying to become a counsellor for people newly diagnosed with chronic illness or disability. Clare’s work shows that people with disability can lead full and influential lives.

‘Hendo’ embodies the spirit of this award through his unwavering commitment to advocacy, leadership and support for individuals with disabilities. His work through the Freedom Sports Foundation and its partnership with Kids+ has given young people the chance to experience the camaraderie that sports bring through the Wheelchair Sport Program. Hendo strives for an inclusive, diverse and socially connected community.

As founder of Life Is Worth Living, Heather creates opportunities for people with disability to live fulfilling lives, participate in their communities and achieve goals. She invests in the next generation of inclusive practitioners through her mentoring of staff and students. Heather’s vision demonstrates how small businesses can drive meaningful, lasting social change.

Justine Martin is an accomplished entrepreneur with ambitious goals of expanding her businesses to help even more people, particularly individuals with disabilities.

In addition to her work, she is a dedicated athlete, weightlifting three days a week and competing in Strongman events as an all-abilities athlete. A proud mum of two and grandma to seven, Justine balances her thriving career with her family life.

Her passions also include writing and painting, which offer her creative outlets. She has a deep love for travel and enjoys exploring the world, always seeking new experiences and inspiration for her work.

Laura Williamson is an accomplished athlete with a deep passion for basketball and a commitment to promoting inclusion in sports.

She has represented Australia at international events such as the Special Olympics, the World Summer Games in Ireland, and the Global Games for athletes with intellectual disabilities.

Laura’s experiences as an elite player have fuelled her desire to give back to the community by coaching and mentoring others.

Laura actively coaches through programs like the Girls Who bALL initiative and the All Abilities Basketball Program with Reclink, where she inspires and supports people with disabilities to get involved in sport. 

With a zest for life, curiosity, and readiness to get outside her comfort zone make her a wonderful volunteer and presenter on 94.7 The Pulse.

As a woman living with Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy, Leanne’s new career in radio broadcasting wasn’t part of her life plan, but she’s taken to it like a duck to water, researching, producing, and presenting her hour long weekly program.

Leanne’s program Rolling Through Wednesdays, gives voice to those living with disabilities and opens these conversations to the whole community.

Leanne is an incredible woman living with Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy. She lives in Drysdale with her husband Gary and two dogs Hadley and Banjo.

Matthew Gardiner is a dedicated professional who has made a significant impact in the Australian Disability Enterprises (ADE) sector.
After many years of experience in ADE, Matthew joined genU, seeking new challenges and opportunities to grow. He explored various roles within the organisation and quickly found his passion in the Business Solutions department, where he now works full-time.

Recognised for his exceptional leadership abilities, Matthew successfully transitioned into a supervisory role, where he has become one of genU’s most accomplished supervisors.

Matthew is passionate about empowering others, particularly individuals with disabilities, to achieve their employment goals and live fulfilling lives.

He is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors has tertiary qualifications in performing arts and science and a background in disability environmental justice activism.

Tim strongly supports the human rights - based model of disability and advocates for equitable access to services and meaningful participation and inclusion of people with disabilities in society.

As someone who has lived with disabilities since birth Shannon has been forced to be resilient resourceful and creative from a young age.

Determined to defy perceived limitations he has harnessed his fostered skills to surpass expectations and build a thriving business which supports his community's residents.

Priscila is an instigator and organiser of change. Advocating and campaigning for positive outcomes within the workplace for people with disabilities.

For Priscila, the future of an inclusive workplace lies with the realisation and importance of connection. Priscila takes every opportunity to promote a mindset of growth utilising each person's strengths and values and the environment for it to flourish.

Living with a hearing impairment and parenting children with disability, Priscila is a positive advocate for inclusive employment, tirelessly fostering the rights for people living with disabilities to be recognised in the community.

Having developed strong connections with community members in and around employment and recruitment provides Priscila with opportunities to speak on the behalf of individuals championed through Gforce.

More recently she has been volunteering her time with Bravery Buddies a charity that provides support dolls to individuals facing medical hair loss.

She has been assisting with the formation of the Tour for Megan that Bravery Buddies is running in honour of one of her friends Megan who passed away recently at the age of 18 to an aggressive form of cancer.

Mackenzie holds a leadership position at her school and has also been named earlier this year as a student ambassador for The Push Up Challenge and has implemented this program into her school for the very first time.

Despite her medical and mental health challenges she is committed to volunteering her time to help others who may find themselves in a similar or worse situation to herself.

Ashley successfully applied for a driver role as part of the genU Business Solutions staff despite his anxiety around leaving the safety net of supported employment to move into open employment.

Now when Ashley goes out to conduct deliveries he takes supported employees with him. They look up to him as he was a supported employee like them who has now transitioned successfully into open employment. It has broken down many barriers.

Ashley has certainly earnt all his success and is supporting others to achieve their goals. Since becoming part of GenU Business Solutions staff Ashley has gone onto to get his Medium Rigid License and is looking to start driving the shredding truck.

These awards also help to promote 'An inclusive diverse healthy and socially connected community' which is a community - led aspiration outlined in our Access and Inclusion Plan 2018 - 2022.

When Brooke Greenhalgh was young her parents were told that she would struggle with milestones such as walking and would not attend a mainstream school.

Fast forward to now and Brooke is pursuing her passion for all thing's food through her work at restaurants and cafes in Geelong.

Brooke independently pursued her career at Dial a Lunch (DAL) where she worked for 19 years. Brooke's time with DAL began in a supported employment position before building up her confidence and skillset to transition into open employment.

Brooke has since moved to an open employment role at Bon Appetit in Highton cooking up a storm and making the delicious slices they have on offer.

Brooke has certainly proven that she is a capable of achieving all of her goals and aspirations.

The City of Greater Geelong and genU are proud to present this year’s awards. The awards celebrate and acknowledge the contributions of people living with a disability across our region. 

Throughout her adult life, Tegan has consistently fought for the equal treatment and access of all with a disability. She has torn down barriers and has consistently sought to educate her peers on issues of accessibility and inclusion. 

As the Geelong Accessibility and Services Representative of the Deakin University Student Association, Tegan has been a driving force behind a number of initiatives that ensure equality, inclusion and accessibility.

A champion for simple yet important processes, Tegan has made tangible and real differences in the lives of Deakin Students in the Geelong community.  She has never shied away from voicing her opinion and has affected significant change in her time studying at Deakin University.

The City of Greater Geelong and genU are proud to present this year’s awards. The awards celebrate and acknowledge the contributions of people living with a disability across our region. 

Jake has been a volunteer at genU GAMER over the past 12 months. Jake joined genU GAMER, a youth focused support service that uses gaming as the vehicle for self-development, as a participant. Combining his strengths with the skills he developed at the program, Jake began taking other participants under his wing. He assisted many others to feel safe, part of "the tribe" and enabled them to achieve their own goals.

Jake has overcome many challenges on his way to achieving his goals.  However, he did not let this overcome his sense of purpose and he not only found the strength to join GAMER, but worked hard on finding ways to adapt, cope and develop.

Jake is an extraordinary individual. Utilising his own lived experience, coupled with his compassion for others, Jake has found a unique way of supporting others through strength-based practices which appears to come naturally to him. He empowers others, he listens and empathises, and he assists those around him to see their own strengths and value.