ACON

👏 MEET THE HONOUR 2024 FINALISTS: HEALTH & WELLBEING 👏 The Honour Award for Health & Wellbeing recognises individuals, organisations and initiatives whose service and achievements are improving the health and wellbeing of rainbow communities in NSW. Meet this year’s inspirational Health & Wellbeing Award finalists: ❤️ ILLAWARRA SHOALHAVEN GENDER ALLIANCE - Supporting the health and wellbeing of trans and gender diverse people in the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District. ❤️ SAM BRHASPATI STOTT - For her passionate work in shining a light on mental health in Australia and supporting those who have lived or living experiences of suicide. ❤️ BERNARD SALIBA - For leading pivotal research projects to address critical gaps in health services for marginalised LGBTQ+ populations. ❤️ MAGS SMITH & DR MELISSA KELLY - For their dedication and contributions towards the provision of gender-affirming healthcare in New South Wales. Thank you to all the incredible finalists for all that they do for our communities! 🙏🙏 Join us in celebrating their service and achievements at the 2024 Honour Awards on Wednesday 18 September at Doltone House Hyde Park in Sydney. 🎉🎉 Tickets on sale now. Early bird pricing ends 31 August. Go to ➡ https://lnkd.in/dCMvG6bd

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ACON’s Honour Awards is proud to welcome ADGE Hotel as its Accommodation Partner for 2024. 🏢👍😎   Located in the heart of Sydney’s rainbow precinct on Riley Street in Surry Hills, and within walking distance of Doltone House Hyde Park, the ADGE Hotel is the perfect place to stay during your Honour celebrations.   ADGE is offering Honour guests a special discount rate for stays the night before, the night of and the night after the Honour Awards (17-19 September).   Learn more about this fabulous hotel and how to book at https://lnkd.in/gdaYZHff   Thank you ADGE Hotel!

👏 MEET THE HONOUR 2024 FINALISTS: BUSINESS AWARD 👏 The Honour Business Award, presented by SGLBA - Sydney Gay and Lesbian Business Association, recognises the work of a person or commercial / for-profit organisation that has provided leadership, achieved outstanding success or made a significant contributions to rainbow communities in NSW. 🙌🤩 Meet this year’s inspirational finalists: ⭐️ Shane Ave – Founded by Deb Saywell, Shane Ave provides a vital service specialising in custom-made suits, pants, vests, shirts and apparel for LGBTQ+ communities. ⭐️ Ty Dovans & Luke Frappell: 357 – Ty and Luke from 357 have been unwavering in supporting the health and wellbeing of our communities since launching their sauna business in 2001. ⭐️ Hank Paul – The co-founder of TheyConnect, a game-changing marketing consultancy dedicated to helping large and global brands connect authentically with LGBTQ+ audiences. ⭐️ Planetdwellers – A shining beacon of Oxford Street, Planetdwellers serves the diverse local community and global LGBTQ+ visitors with travel, tours and events that celebrate and bring the entire rainbow family together. Thank you to all the incredible finalists for all that they do for our communities! 🙏❤️ Join us in celebrating their service and achievements at the 2024 Honour Awards on Wednesday 18 September at Doltone House Hyde Park in Sydney. ⭐🎉 Tickets on sale now! Early bird pricing ends 31 August. Go to ➡ https://lnkd.in/gZwz4DF7

👏 MEET THE HONOUR 2024 FINALISTS: COMMUNITY ORGANISATION 👏 The Honour Award for Community Organisation - presented by Universal Hotels - recognises outstanding community organisations that have provided leadership, achieved amazing success and/or made a significant contribution to rainbow communities in NSW. Meet this year’s inspirational finalists: ❤️ Tamworth Pride - Connecting and supporting Tamworth’s rainbow communities – and many visitors from outside it – through their annual Pride festival along with monthly dinners, outreach events, sports gatherings and art sessions. ❤️ Trans Justice Project LTD. - The first national, trans-led, campaigning organisation in Australia, the Trans Justice Project is dedicated to building a powerful movement to stand up for justice, freedom and equality for all trans and gender diverse people. ❤️ The Aurora Group - A Ruby Foundation Ltd - Founded in 1999, Aurora is an LGBTIQ+ community-led philanthropic organisation that works to empower and support rainbow organisations in their work towards equality and better outcomes for the most marginalised people within our communities. ❤️ Campaign to ban conversion practices in NSW - In 2024, NSW banned conversion practices. This was possible due to decades of advocacy from LGBTQ+ heroes, hard work by LGBTQ+ organisations, political leadership and the countless survivors who shared their stories to advocate for this change. Thank you to all the incredible finalists for all that they do for our communities! 🙏❤️ Join us in celebrating their service and achievements at the 2024 Honour Awards on Wednesday 18 September at Doltone House Hyde Park in Sydney. ⭐🎉 Tickets on sale now! Early bird pricing ends 31 August. Go to ➡ https://lnkd.in/dCMvG6bd

Join us on Wednesday 18 September 2024 as we recognise outstanding service and achievements within LGBTQ communities in NSW. Presented by ACON, the Honour Awards is a time to celebrate our many unsung rainbow heroes. Now in its 17th year, over 400 guests will gather at Doltone House Hyde Park for NSW’s premier LGBTQ community awards celebration. 🫶 Recognise amazing achievements 🙏 Acknowledge outstanding service ❤ Celebrate our communities Book now. Early bird pricing ends 31 August. Go to ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gZwz4DF7

Stakeholders, sector partners, government/community/corporate colleagues and allies, politicians across the divide, and representatives from partner and allied organisations gathered at NSW Parliament to bid farewell to outgoing ACON CEO Nicolas Parkhill and welcome our new CEO Michael Woodhouse. Over 150 supporters attended the event to mark this important chapter in ACON’s history. Thank you to our speakers Jillian Skinner, former Deputy NSW Liberal Leader, Minister for Health and Minister for Medical Research; Penny Sharpe, Minister for Climate Change, Minister for Energy, Minister for the Environment, and Minister for Heritage; Independent Member for Sydney Alex Greenwich; and NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant. We are grateful for their kind words, tributes and reflections on Nic and his achievements at ACON over 18 years, and his lasting impact and legacy. We also thank Savannah Fynn for her moving Welcome to Country. The night also provided an opportunity for people to hear from and meet incoming ACON CEO Michael Woodhouse. ACON’s strength, reach and impact is all the more powerful thanks to the support of partners, colleagues and allies. We are ever so grateful for your continued support. Thank you. Photos: Mark Dickson Photography

Stakeholders, sector partners, government/community/corporate colleagues and allies, politicians across the divide, and representatives from partner and allied organisations gathered at NSW Parliament to bid farewell to outgoing ACON CEO Nicolas Parkhill and welcome our new CEO Michael Woodhouse. Over 150 supporters attended the event to mark this important chapter in ACON’s history. Thank you to our speakers Jillian Skinner, former Deputy NSW Liberal Leader, Minister for Health and Minister for Medical Research; Penny Sharpe, Minister for Climate Change, Minister for Energy, Minister for the Environment, and Minister for Heritage; Independent Member for Sydney Alex Greenwich; and NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant. We are grateful for their kind words, tributes and reflections on Nic and his achievements at ACON over 18 years, and his lasting impact and legacy. We also thank Savannah Fynn for her moving Welcome to Country. The night also provided an opportunity for people to hear from and meet incoming ACON CEO Michael Woodhouse. ACON’s strength, reach and impact is all the more powerful thanks to the support of partners, colleagues and allies. We are ever so grateful for your continued support. Thank you. Photos: Mark Dickson Photography

ACON’s LOVE Project celebrated our older LGBTQ+ communities with the second LOVE Social Celebration at the Beresford Hotel. Hosted by Charisma Belle, attendees enjoyed a scrumptious three-course dinner and entertainment starring Bek Jensen, Sheba, and Opera Australia’s Tom Hamilton and Siro Battaglin. Presented in association with our Platinum sponsor Dowson Turco Lawyers and supported by the Inner West Council and Seniors Rights Service. Special thanks also too Michael West for the beautiful Welcome to Country and Trevor Pritchard for being our community speaker and all-round legend. Video courtesy of Daniel Bourke | dbMedia

Unsung heroes, inspirational individuals and outstanding organisations making a positive impact to sexuality and gender diverse communities in NSW comprise this year’s diverse field of finalists. Here are the finalists for the 2024 Honour Awards. Read the full story in Star Observer: https://lnkd.in/gcC55MyQ *** COMMUNITY HERO *** Presented by ACON Jen Peden Ghassan Kassisieh Anna Sheppard Sister Salomé of the 9th Mystic Rhinestone Ian Roberts *** COMMUNITY ORGANISATION *** Presented by Universal Hotels Tamworth Pride Trans Justice Project The Aurora Group Ban Conversion Practices in NSW Campaign *** ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT AWARD *** Presented by Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Stan Munro Shauna Jensen Kat Dopper Dyan Tai DJ Gemma *** YOUNG ACHIEVER AWARD *** Presented by people2people Eliam Royalness Abbie Jane James Elliot-Watson Storm Hassett *** MEDIA AWARD *** Presented by OUT@NBCUniversal CampAIR 89.3FM Dan Bourchier Caitie Gutierrez Gary Lonesborough *** HEALTH & WELLBEING *** Presented by ACON Dr Melissa Kelly & Mags Smith Bernard Saliba Sam Brhaspati Stott Illawarra Shoalhaven Gender Alliance *** HIV HERO *** Presented by Positive Life NSW Dr Shih-Chi Kao Bobby Goldsmith Foundation Stephen Allkins *** BUSINESS AWARD *** Presented by SGLBA - Sydney Gay and Lesbian Business Association Shane Ave PlanetDwellers Hank Paul Ty Dovans and Luke Frappell from 357 *** VISUAL ARTS  *** Presented by Friends of Cayte Alun Rhys Jones C Moore Hardy Brent Allan Read the full story in Star Observer: https://lnkd.in/gcC55MyQ