It was a late afternoon of celebration and recognition, as the NT Disability Service and Inclusion awards were held at Parliament House for individuals, government and non-government services, organisations, businesses, and programs that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to improving the lives of people with disability.

The awards which were originally scheduled as a Gala event in November, which had to be postponed due to COVID-19. 

The Honourable Kate Worden, Minister for Disability, hosted the event at Parliament house. Sponsors, invited guests, and dignitaries were treated to canapés before the award ceremony.

There were eight award categories with two highly commended, as well as two people’s choice awards (Individual and Organisation) voted by the Community, and an overall award for excellence.

2021 Overall Award for Excellence

Pictured: Students at Henbury Precinct use the Op Shop and café in individualised learning programs.

We would like to recognise and congratulate Henbury Learning Precinct, recipient of the 2021 Overall Award for Excellence. Presented by Minister Worden, sponsored by the Northern Territory Government. The Henbury Learning Precinct is a transition-to-work initiative proudly developed by Henbury School. It encompasses Henbury Opportunity Knocks Op Shop and neighbouring Henbury on Aralia Café.

Henbury School students have wide ranged mild impairments to profound disability and multiple disabilities. The purpose of the Henbury Learning Precinct is to provide students with real life, meaningful opportunities to develop their work skills, and to work towards achieving their individualised Education Adjustment Plan (EAP) and curriculum goals. All 148 of Henbury students use the precinct for their learning in varied formats: through the op shop’s donation sorting room, to the step-by-step menu ordering system in the café.

The precinct provides a safe and inclusive environment for individualised, small group and class learning programs. Years 7 to 9 students rotate between both the op shop and café, developing introductory work skills. Senior students (Years 10 to 12) use the precinct as a foundation for Senior Skill Set Hospitality and Retail Programs, which contribute to achieving their NTCET (Northern Territory Certificate of Education and Training) and VSS (Vocational Education and Training in Schools) certificates. 

On Saturdays, students access full Award-rate paid employment at the precinct.

The Henbury Learning Precinct is linked to extensive programs at the main school campus. Students of all abilities are part of the learning process and creation of products sold in the café. They grow the plants in horticulture, make chutneys from the school farm, and create wooden, photographic, sewn and tie dye items, to name but a few.

Students also use donations from the op shop as part of a rag cutting program. As part of their EAP and curriculum learning, classes regularly use the op shop and café for their Community Access Programs, practicing many real-life skills such as communication and money handling, and again, promoting skills towards independence.

The positive impact of the Henbury Learning Precinct is far-reaching. Students who started their journey at the precinct have found employment at Darwin Convention Centre, City Beach, and Darwin Ski Club and the new café at Harry’s Place to name a few. One student is even undertaking his chef’s apprenticeship. The precinct itself provides continued learning and development for graduated students, with two young people currently employed and two volunteering as part of their NDIS plan goals. 

Special thanks to our sponsor

We thank our Sponsor, Northern Territory Government, for its generosity and commitment to recognising and celebrating the work of individuals, businesses, organisations, and programs that work to improve the lives of people with disability.