Our Parent & Citizen Association’s third annual Toowoomba disABILITY Business Awards (TBDA) was held on Saturday evening 30 August at Weis’ Marquee. This event developed from a desire of our P & C to have a strong focus on the future of our young people which involved the need to recognise those businesses that support, educate and employ people with a disability in the Toowoomba region.
The Committee has a strong commitment to the future of our students and indeed to the overall employment of people with a disability in the mainstream workforce – as both a community benefit, and a viable commercial decision. We believe in encouraging engagement between local businesses and people with a disability, to gain meaningful employment in our community.
Keynote speaker at the awards was Ron Delezio, father of Sophie Delezio who was severely burned at the age of 2 when a car ploughed into her daycare centre.Three years later Sophie was hit by a car while crossing a pedestrian crossing in her wheelchair and thrown 18 metres.Ron Delezio and Carolyn Martin (Sophie’s parents) founded the Day of Difference Foundation in response to their shared experiences with parents of critically injured children across Australia.
Local speaker on the evening was Scott Templeman.Scott is the President of the Down Syndrome Association of Qld. MC for the evening was Rod McGregor (The Old Fella) who has mastered the craft of comedy with his clever and often risqué blend of Aussie humour entwined within his stories.He himself has two grandchildren with Autism.
Among guests were Judy Antonio (Patron of this event), TRC Mayor Paul Antonio, John McVeigh (Member for Toowoomba South), Trevor Watts (Member for Toowoomba North) and Councillor Sue Englart. P&C President Paul Wilson is to be congratulated for the passion and energy he brings to leading a small group of committed people to organise this annual event.
We are most grateful to the generous support of our sponsors. Major Sponsors: CJR Industries, Weis Restaurant, Media Sponsors: Channel 7 4GR, The Chronicle, Category Sponsors: Newlands Civil Constructions, Community Solutions, Award Sponsors: New Hope Group, Friends of TWSS, Tilly's Crawler Parts, Life Without Barriers, Empire Theatre.
Community Innovation
This category was established to encourage the inclusion of people with a disability within the community environment. It is about community groups who have innovatively established a program to support and encourage these people.
Business Innovation
Similarly, this category was established to encourage the inclusion of people with a disability within the business environment. Its about business houses that have innovatively established a programme to support and encourage these people.
Employment
This category is about encouraging businesses to consider employing someone with a disability. There were some incredible nominees in this category, which is testament to the success and reward that a business can get from employing a person with a disability.
Outstanding Individual
Nominees for this new category are individuals who live within the Toowoomba Regional Council catchment area, who are considered as "outstanding" in their support of people in the community with a disability. Nominations in this category MUST be received from a third party.