- Disability Services Minister Don Punch congratulates winners of the 2024 WA Disability Support Awards
- Awards recognise the very best support workers and disability services and shine a light on commitment to excellence across seven award categories
- Cook Government committed to building inclusive communities which support and empower people with disability
Disability Services Minster Don Punch has congratulated the winners of the 2024 Disability Support Awards and recognised the contribution of disability support workers and their commitment to supporting people with disability across Western Australia.
The annual awards were hosted last night by National Disability Services WA (NDS) at Crown Perth and proudly supported by the State Government, through the Department of Communities.
The awards, which started in 2011, recognise and reward Western Australians who provide the highest standard of support to increase the quality of life and inclusion of people with disability.
The awards also play an important role in building a sustainable disability sector workforce in Western Australia and encouraging high quality services that are committed to quality and safeguarding.
This year NDS received more than 150 nominations across seven categories. Each category winner receives a cash prize of $2,000 and a trophy. The winners are:
- Excellence in Regional Support Award: Christine Whitmore, Disability Support Worker with Essential Personnel;
- Excellence in Supporting Employment Outcomes: Ryan Randolph, Senior Mentor at Inclusion WA;
- Excellence in Home and Family Support Award: Briana (Bri) Sebeh, Disability Support Worker for Crosslinks;
- Innovation in Service Delivery Award: MEP Marketplace, Customised Employment team: Samantha Powell, Marcus Carney, Gina Semi, Corinne Robertson, Nadege Anderson from Microenterprise People;
- Excellence in Rights Promotion: Individualised Services Uniting WA: Claire Carter, Lynda Innes, Claire Bocking, Christiana Sam, Annie Konneh, Yassah Bevan, Akur Duot, Eunice Njobo, Amy Nguyen and Alison Chadwick from Uniting WA;
- Excellence in Supporting Inclusion and Citizenship Award: Nicholas (Nick) Ardley, Disability Support Worker with Inclusion WA; and
- Emerging Leader Award: Katherine (Kat) Campbell, Senior Manager with Uniting WA.
The State Government has invested in a number of initiatives to address disability sector workforce shortages and to ensure people with disability continue to receive quality services.
Through the State Disability Strategy and the Office of Disability, the Cook Government is committed to building inclusive communities which support and empower people with disability.
As stated by Disability Services Minister Don Punch:
"On behalf of the Western Australian community I would like to congratulate the winners and thank all the nominees for their hard work, passion and ideas. The work they do is integral to building an inclusive and equitable society.
"We know that a highly competent and skilled local disability workforce is essential and attracting and retaining workers with the right skills, values and attitudes is crucial.
"Together the Cook Government and the disability sector are committed to ensuring quality services and the highest standard of support for people with disability, their families and their carers."
As stated by NDS WA State Manager Frances Buchanan:
"The Awards showcase the disability services sector as a place of innovation, a place for employment and a place to have a meaningful career and demonstrate the very real difference that people working in this sector can make to the lives of people with disability and the communities we live in.
"I would like to congratulate the winners, the finalists and all those who were nominated. I thank them for their commitment to increasing the quality of life and inclusion of people with disability.
"I would also like to thank the Department of Communities for their ongoing support."
