Toowoomba Business Disability Awards at Edmund Rice Cultural Centre | photos

The Business disABILITY Awards displayed the remarkable work employers and the business community do to promote inclusivity. Take in all the action from the night here.

At the Business disABILITY Awards are (from left) Danielle Gray, Stacey Cobb, Kai Poulton, Hayley Castle, Jonathan Gray and Bryce Hunt. Picture: Kevin Farmer

The tenth annual Business disABILITY Awards night was held Thursday night, and safe to say it was a success.

More than 300 people arrived at the Edmund Rice Cultural Centre for the gala dinner.

The theme, of course, was “10 years strong!” in celebration of BDA’s ten years of recognising businesses and individuals “who support, educate, advocate and employ people with a disability”.

Co-founder Kim Stokes said it was an extraordinary night.

“There was a feeling to the night that is hard to describe … everyone came down to an equal level where it didn’t matter about labels and titles but rather about ‘what does that person do to help the community’,” Ms Stokes said.

“It humbles you and makes you understand where you are putting your time and focus. It makes you sit back and reflect.”

Ms Stokes said many people approached event committee members to inquire about learning how to improve their workplace to be more flexible and inclusive.

“That was the goal, getting that butterfly effect. It really became a huge networking event,” Ms Stokes said.

“It’s all about standing up for those who do not have a voice.”

Soul Mystique open the 2023 Business disABILITY Awards. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Education and Training award winner Alyce Nelligan said she was really humbled and touched to be nominated.

“It’s always very humbling to be honoured in such a fierce field,” Ms Nelligan said.

“It means a lot to me … the night was very special it had an amazing atmosphere to it.”

Ms Nelligan said she has been a disability advocate for ten years. She currently works with YWCA assisting women and non-binary people with a disability to spread awareness and work towards inclusivity.

“Disability advocacy has been a passion of mine having a disability myself,” Ms Nelligan said.

For those who want to know more or wish to become a sponsor, details can be found on their website.

Full list of winners:

Outstanding Volunteer

Brontë Munt

Business Engagement

Joshua Bamford

Social Inclusion

Anglicare Southern QLD

Education and Training

Alyce Nelligan

Indigenous Award

Coral Woodbridge

Innovation and Access

Clifford Gardens Shopping Centre

Outstanding Employee

Lachlan Duncan

Outstanding Employer

Traffic Group Australia

Elissa Flanagan “Aim High” Scholarship ($2000)

Kai Poulton

Judy Antonio (Founding Patron) Memorial Award

Helen Bawden

Gallery

All the action from the Business disABILITY Awards for 2023 that were held at Edmund Rice Cultural Centre.

David Janetzki and Whitby family - award being handed by Michael Whitby to winner Kai Poulton. Picture: MRP Images

Kai Poulton with John-Paul Langbroek MP, David Janetzki MP and the Whitby Family. Picture: MRP Images

Paul Antonio, Barry Bawden, Helen Bawden OAM, Adrian Bonica. Picture: MRP Images

Lachlan Duncan at the Business Disability Awards 2023. Picture: MRP Images

Darling Downs Therapy Services director Tim Connolly and Oustanding Employee Award winner Lachlan Duncan. Picture: MRP Images

Winner of the Education and Training Award, Alyce Nelligan and Sandra Nitschke from Akadia Training. Picture: MRP Images

Brittany Dodge (left) and Stef Griffiths at the Business disABILITY Awards. Picture: Kevin Farmer

At the Business disABILITY Awards are (from left) Chloe Stewart, Shanay Mikkelsen and Ivy Reis. Picture: Kevin Farmer

At the Business disABILITY Awards are (from left) Danielle Gray, Stacey Cobb, Kai Poulton, Hayley Castle, Jonathan Gray and Bryce Hunt. Picture: Kevin Farmer

At the Business disABILITY Awards are (from left) Nicky Zeeuwen, Dominic Griffiths and Geua Pitt. Picture: Kevin Farmer

At the Business disABILITY Awards are (from left) Anais Hockin, Will Kupper and Skye Sales representing Renew at Edmund Rice Cultural Centre, Thursday, October 5, 2023. Picture: Kevin Farmer

At the Business disABILITY Awards are (from left) Ben McLachlan, Leanne Jago, Jess Doyle, Jonny Iuso and Michelle Toombs. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Auslan interpreters Jaime Woodcock and Summer Smith at the Business disABILITY Awards. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Auslan interpreters Jaime Woodcock and Summer Smith at the Business disABILITY Awards. Picture: Kevin Farmer

At the Business disABILITY Awards are (from left) Brett Motton, Matty Edser, Rianna Cooper, Troy Conway and Michelle Butcher. Picture: Kevin Farmer

At the Business disABILITY Awards are (from left) Debra Cottrell, Jim Toohey, Sara Shams, Nicola Wilson and Anthony Vaughan. Picture: Kevin Farmer

At the Business disABILITY Awards are (from left) Keren Briskey, Erin Schipp and Dom Tulleken. Picture: Kevin Farmer

At the Business disABILITY Awards are (from left) Keren Briskey, Erin Schipp and Dom Tulleken. Picture: Kevin Farmer

At the Business disABILITY Awards are (from left) Eden Munt, Jen Munt, Bronte Munt, Christy Johnston and Elijah Anthony Munt. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Kylie Cox (left) and Shaz Thorndike at the Business disABILITY Awards. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Brodee and Dakota Wilson at the Business disABILITY Awards. Picture: Kevin Farmer

At the Business disABILITY Awards are (from left) Nicky Zeeuwen, Matt Hansson and Geua Pitt. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Brodee and Dakota Wilson at the Business disABILITY Awards. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Damian and Olivia Smoothy at the Business disABILITY Awards. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Tina and daughter Jazmyn Wilson at the Business disABILITY Awards. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Tina and daughter Jazmyn Wilson at the Business disABILITY Awards. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Soul Mystique open the 2023 Business disABILITY Awards for 2023. Picture: Kevin Farmer