Latest News
NDS announces National Disability Awards finalists
26/10/2023
NDS is proud to announce finalists and commendations from across Australia for the 2023 National Disability Awards.
One finalist will be announced as the winner in each category at the Awards Ceremony at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on Monday 11 December.
A new initiative of NDS, the Awards promote high-quality and sustainable disability services.
NDS CEO Laurie Leigh said, “We were delighted to receive 230 nominations, a tremendous result, highlighting the achievements of disability service providers and their staff from across Australia.
“Congratulations to the finalists and highly commended nominees. It's an honour to acknowledge your outstanding contribution, excellence, passion, vision and commitment to supporting people with disability.
“I would also like to acknowledge everyone who took the time to make a nomination, as well as the work of our expert panel of judges, who contributed their lived experience of disability, subject matter expertise and deep understanding of disability service provision to the complex task of selecting finalists and winners across eight categories.”
2023 National Disability Awards — finalists and commendations
Congratulations to the finalists and highly commended nominees for the 2023 National Disability Awards. A detailed list of nominees, finalists and commendations is available on our website.
Finalists: Excellence in Allied Health Award
- ActivOT
- CommuniCamp Team
- CliniKids Team
Highly Commended
- Libby Taylor, Altius Group; Speech Language Pathologists Team, Deaf Connect; and Randall Rooney, MSWA.
Finalists: Excellence in Disability Support Work Award
- Briana Sebeh, Crosslinks
- Eileen O’Farrell, At Home Care
- John Holdcroft, Workpower
Highly commended
- Team BANG, APM; Deb Cording, Avivo; Hotel Etico; Jack Eldred, Awesome Anglers; Jeremy Skinner, Intelife Group; Keeley’s Cause; Kimberley Fonderie, Activ Foundation; Pascoe Avenue Team; Team Spinos, Endeavour Foundation; and Will's World Gardening and Lawnmowing Services.
Finalists: Excellence in Innovation Award
- ENVISAGE Team
- Nightlife Disability Services
- Scope
Highly commended
- Carpentaria Disability Services; CliniKids Team; Down Syndrome NSW; Hotel Etico; Inclusion Foundation; and The Flagstaff Group.
Finalists: Excellence in Regional and Remote Support
- Advocacy WA Incorporated
- Awesome Anglers
- Kimberley Downward
Highly commended
- Hotel Etico; and Jumbunna
Finalists: Excellence in Service Quality
- Advocacy WA Incorporated
- Melba Support Services
- Multicap Limited
Highly commended
- Leicelle Leher, Activ Foundation; and Mikarie Childcare Centre Sylvanvale
Finalists: Inclusive Communities Award
- Autism in Cricket team: Autism Association of Western Australia
- Multicap Limited
- Spinal Life Australia
Highly commended
- Advocacy WA Incorporated; Good Sammy Enterprises; and Scope.
Finalists: Media Award
- Better Homes and Gardens (Aruma's Summerland Farm)
- Eleanor Beidatsch, ABC
- Ermha365
Highly commended
- The Periscope Crew Team
Finalist: Outstanding Leader of the Year Award
- Angela Yee, Supporting Independent Living Co-operative Ltd
- Dawn McAleenan, Crosslinks Incorporated
- Nathan Despott, Inclusion Melbourne
Highly commended
- Andrea Comastri, Hotel Etico; and Benjamin Keast, ARC Disability Services.
The National Disability Awards ceremony is part of NDS’s flagship event, the Executive Leaders Conference. To register for the Awards Ceremony, go to our event page.
And it is not too late to register at early bird rates for our Executive Leaders Conference.