The Voice winner Alfie Arcuri and Olympic gold medallist Matthew Mitcham will headline this year’s Honour Awards – a timely celebration of the LGBTI community’s strength and resilience. Unsung heroes, equality champions and community defenders are among the diverse and inspirational mix of finalists to be honoured on Wednesday 27 September at the Ivy Ballroom in Sydney.
The Honour Awards celebrates outstanding service to, and achievements within, NSW’s LGBTI community. Now in its eleventh year, the awards are also a gala fundraising event for LGBTI charities Aurora and ACON, NSW’s leading HIV prevention, HIV support and LGBTI health organisation.
Thirty finalists across eight categories covering the media, business, arts, health, community, visual arts and youth sectors, as well as the recipient of the prestigious ACON President’s Awards will be celebrated, with over 350 guests expected to attend the inspirational awards ceremony and fabulous cocktail party.
Olympic champion, cabaret star and author Matthew Mitcham, who will be this year’s emcee, said he is excited about hosting the awards, an important cultural LGBTI event that provides a wonderful opportunity for the public to pay tribute to so many unsung heroes in the community.
“I’m so honoured to be a part of these important community awards,” Matthew said. “There are so many people doing so many wonderful things for our community for no other reason than to make other people’s lives better. The Honour Awards gives us a chance to recognise their contributions and to say thank you.”
Taking to the stage with a special musical performance of his latest single If They Only Knew, singer Alfie Arcuri said he is looking forward to being part of the celebrations.
“I am very excited to be performing at the 2017 Honour Awards in front of a room of such inspiring people who have made an incredible impact on our community!” Alfie said. “It will be a pleasure for me to perform my original song If They Only Knew, which highlights the struggles young LGBT people’s experience with acceptance and coming to terms with their sexuality.”
Also on the line-up is Candy Box, one of Sydney’s most beloved drag icons, who will be welcoming guests as the host of the Honour Awards red carpet, and local DJ Richard Weiss, who will be entertaining attendees with his signature cocktail party sounds.
“I’m looking forward to hosting the red carpet at the 2017 Honour Awards,” Candy said. “There’ll be plenty of glitz and glamour so make sure you come up and say hi to our cameras! There’s such an incredible list of inspirational heroes this year and I can’t wait to meet them all.”
Key figures within the media, entertainment, community, government and other sectors will join the entertainers and finalists for a fabulous night of festivity, and to celebrate the strength and diversity of the LGBTI community in NSW. In light of the current debate, it is a really important time for the LGBTI community to come together and unite, and recognise individuals and organisations whose service and achievements strengthen our communities.
Guests will also be able to bid on a range of amazing silent auction items including luxury holidays, jewellery, art, furniture, homewares, and 5-star dining, accommodation and entertainment packages.
UPDATE 20/09/17: DJ Kate Monroe will replace Richard Weiss
HONOUR AWARDS CEREMONY & COCKTAIL PARTY
• Wednesday 27 September 2017, 6:30pm - 11pm, Ivy Ballroom, 330 George St, Sydney
• Tix: Standard $90 pp (inc. quality wines and beers, delicious canapés & entertainment) / $75 members (ACON, Aurora, SGLBA, SGLMG) / $150 Community Champions
• Tickets available here
Community Partners
ACON | Aurora Group | Sydney Gay & Lesbian Business Association | Sydney Mardi Gras | Stonewall Hotel
Event Partners
SBS | Merivale/Ivy | GLYDE Health | CrowdComms | DL Comms