HONOUR ROLL

The Honour Awards began in 2007 as a special event to acknowledge people who have displayed exceptional commitment to and leadership within the LGBTI community. From 2007 – 2009, winners were selected by the ACON Board. In 2010 the format of the awards changed with winners selected by a panel of judges made up of representatives from various community organisations, from a list of nominees put forward by the public.

2023

COMMUNITY HERO (Presented by Dowson Turco Lawyers)

WINNER: Giovanni Campolo-Arcidiaco for his decades-long community service and activism. For more than 25 years, Giovanni has been involved in various volunteer roles, with many of NSW’s LGBTQIA+ institutions. Through his passionate efforts, he has helped develop and strengthen vital organisations and events for sexuality and gender diverse communities.

COMMUNITY ORGANISATION (Presented by ACON)

WINNER (JOINT): Newcastle Pride
With innovative and inclusive programming, Newcastle Pride is providing vital spaces and social outlets for the Hunter region’s LGBTQIA+ communities.

WINNER (JOINT): Trikone Australia
For over 15 years, Trikone Australia has been raising awareness of, providing support to, and celebrating LGBTQIA+ people from South Asian backgrounds in Australia.

YOUNG ACHIEVER AWARD (Presented by people2people)

WINNER: Bree Mountain
For her dedicated work in championing and elevating the bi+ community in New South Wales. Having founded the grassroots advocacy organisation, Bi+ Visibility, and established the popular event series BiCONIC, Bree has been instrumental in raising the visibility and representation of bi+ people in events, programming, media and community advocacy, both in Australia and overseas.

HEALTH & WELLBEING (Presented by St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney)

WINNER: Garrett Prestage
Since 1976, Garrett has worked to support LGBTQ+ health and wellbeing through various roles and projects in research, advocacy and community health. Now retired, Garrett has been nominated for devoting his life and career to LGBTQ+ health and wellbeing and for leaving a legacy of knowledge and excellence for the next generation of LGBTQ+ health and HIV researchers.

CAYTE LATTA MEMORIAL AWARD FOR VISUAL ARTS

WINNER: Jeff McCann
Jeff’s artistic ethos is to create inclusive works that encourage audience involvement and fun. He has been nominated for his striking body of works installed during Sydney WorldPride, which includes activations at Broadway Shopping Centre, The Rocks, Maroubra’s Pacific Square and Lucid Dreams at the Imperial Hotel.

HIV HERO (Presented by Positive Life NSW)

WINNER: David Polson
For his tireless work as an advocate, speaker and community champion for people living with HIV. As a long-term HIV survivor, David shares his personal story to empower others, provide education, challenge discrimination, and reduce stigma around HIV/AIDS. David has also been nominated for his various community, volunteer, and advocacy roles, including being the co-founder of Sydney’s first queer museum, QTOPIA.

MEDIA AWARD (Presented by OUT@NBCUniversal)

WINNER: Narelda Jacobs
A Whadjuk Noongar journalist, presenter and commentator, Narelda has appeared on scores of TV programs over the years, including Ten’s The Project; the ABC’s Insiders, Q&A and The Drum; NITV and SBS’s The Point, Going Places and Mardi Gras Parade broadcasts. She is currently a co-host of Studio 10 and presenter of 10 News First: Midday. Narelda is a passionate community advocate and cause ambassador, supporting a range of charities and humanitarian initiatives.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT (Presented by Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras)

WINNER: Courtney Act
For their various accomplishments as an artist, performer, musician, TV presenter and writer. Multi-talented and internationally renowned, Courtney is an Australian entertainment icon, creative powerhouse, and showbiz trailblazer. As an outspoken advocate, Courtney is also passionate about supporting and elevating LGBTQ causes, charities, and communities through their various platforms.

BUSINESS AWARD (Presented by Sydney Gay and Lesbian Business Association)

WINNERS: Nungala Creative
Established by Warumungu / Wombaya woman Jessica Johnson, Nungala Creative produces innovative content across various platforms and mediums with a distinct Aboriginal voice. Nungala Creative has been nominated for their work in designing the bold and stunning visual identity for the Sydney WorldPride festival.

ACON PRESIDENT’S AWARD (Presented by ACON)

In 2023, the ACON President’s Award was dedicated to the many people who have fought for justice for victims of LGBTQ hate crimes for decades. Representing the efforts of many, the following were honoured:

• Steve Page
• Duncan McNab
• Sue Thompson
• Rick Feneley
• Greg Callaghan
• Garry Wotherspoon
• Nicholas Stewart
• Stephen Tomsen
• Jacqueline Milledge
• Peter Rolfe
• Steve Johnson
• Daniel Glick

HONORARY HONOUR

In 2023, a special Honour Award was given to Sydney WorldPride in recognition of its impact and legacy as a world-class event that brought diverse global communities together to advance equality, human rights, social justice and inclusion through community engagement, visibility, and celebration.

2022

• Ann-Marie Calilhanna (Community Hero)
• Dr Kerry Chant and NSW Health (President's Award)
• BlaQ Aboriginal Corporation (Community Organisation)
• Isabella Calero-Rivarola (Young Achiever Award)
• Jason Om (Media Award)
• Julie Bates & Basil Donovan (HIV Hero)
• Brahm Marjadi and Steve Spencer (Health & Wellbeing)
• Samuel Luke (Cayte Latta Memorial Award for Visual Arts)
• Laura Hart (Arts & Entertainment Award)
• Erin Spencer & Bec Cerio, Sock Drawer Heroes (Business Award)

2020-2021

Due to the COVID pandemic, the Honour Awards were not held in 2020 and 2021.

2019

• Julie McCrossin and Robert French (President's Award)
• Holly Conroy (Community Hero Award)
• Liam Davies (Young Achiever Award)
• PFLAG (Community Organisation Award)
• Peter FitzSimons (Media Award)
• Queerstories (Arts & Entertainment Award)
• Samuel Leighton-Dore (Cayte Latta Memorial Award for Visual Arts)
• Cristyn Davies (Health and Wellbeing Award)
• Lizzie Griggs (HIV Hero)
• Belloccio Restaurant (Business Award)

2018

• CAMP Inc (President's Award)
• Robyn Kennedy (Community Hero Award)
• Bayvick Lawrance (Young Achiever Award)
• The Equality Campaign and Human Rights Law Centre (Community Organisation Award)
• Dr Shirleene Robinson (Media Award)
• Mark Trevorrow (Arts & Entertainment Award)
• Kim Leutwyler (Cayte Latta Memorial Award for Visual Arts)
• Dr Allison Bielawski (Health and Wellbeing Award)
• David Crawford (HIV Hero)
• Sax Leather (Business Award)

2017

• Professor David Cooper and The Kirby Institute (President's Award)
• Elaine Czulkowski (Community Hero Award)
• Mikhara Ramsing (Young Achiever Award)
• Rainbow Families (Community Organisation Award)
• Monique Schafter (Media Award)
• The Red Rattler (Arts & Entertainment Award)
• Guy James Whitworth (Cayte Latta Memorial Award for Visual Arts)
• Twenty10 incorporating GLCS NSW (Health and Wellbeing Award)
• Dowson Turco Lawyers (Business Award)

2016

• NSW Parliamentary LGBTI Cross Party Working Group (President's Award)
• Rev Dorothy McRae-McMahon (Community Hero Award)
• Sally Rugg and Chris Pycroft (Young Achiever Award)
• Mature Aged Gays (Community Organisation Award)
• Patrick Abboud (Media Award)
• New Theatre (Arts & Entertainment Award)
• Lionel Bawden (Cayte Latta Memorial Award for Visual Arts)
• Garry Trotter (Health and Wellbeing Award)
• Claire’s Kitchen at Le Salon/Marc Kuzma (Business Award)

2015

• Levinia Crooks (President's Award)
• Steph Sands (Community Hero Award)
• Richard Ezomoh (Young Achiever Award)
• Dykes on Bikes Sydney (Community Organisation Award)
• Rick Feneley (Media Award)
• Beccy Cole, & Holding The Man Cast & Crew (joint winners) (Arts & Entertainment Award)
• Deborah Kelly (Cayte Latta Memorial Award for Visual Arts)
• Anthony Venn-Brown (Health and Wellbeing Award)
• Dowson Turco Lawyers (Business Award)

2014

• Staff and Patients of St Vincent's Hospital Ward 17 South (President's Award)
• Cheryl 'Webby' Webster (Community Hero Award)
• Brendan Maclean (Young Achiever Award)
• Bingham Cup Sydney 2014 (Community Organisation Award)
• Archer Magazine (Media Award)
• John Frost (Arts & Entertainment Award)
• Ash Golsby (Cayte Latta Memorial Award for Visual Arts)
• Professor Andrew Grulich (Health and Wellbeing Award)
• Hellfire Club (Business Award) 

2013

• Bill Bowtell (President's Award)
• William Yang (Community Hero Award) 
• Katherine Hudson and Scott Williams (Young Achiever Award)
• Paul Capsis (Media/Arts/Entertainment Award)
• Arab Council Australia (Health & Wellbeing Award)
• NSW Gay and Lesbian Right Lobby (Community Organisation Award)
• House of Priscilla (Business Award)

2012

• Stonewall Hotel (Business Award)
• John O’Dea (Health and Wellbeing Award)
• Gen Q at Regional Youth Support Services (Community Organisation Award)
• Tommy Murphy (Media/Arts/Entertainment Award)
• Susan Brooks (Community Hero Award)
• Bill Whittaker (President’s Award)

2011

• The Bookshop Darlinghurst (Business Award)
• Gail Hewison and Libby Silva (Business Person Award)
• Bernie Green (Health and Wellbeing Award)
• Tropical Fruits (Community Organisation Award)
• Mark Alsop (Media/Arts/Entertainment Award)
• Dave Sergeant (Community Hero Award)

2010

• Sue Wills and Lex Watson (Community Hero Award)
• Reece Farmilo, Out Travel (Business Award)
• Robert Hemburrow (Health and Wellbeing Award)
• Trevor Ashley (Media/Arts/Entertainment Award)
• Queer Screen (Community Organisation Award)

2009

• Graeme Browning/Mitzi Macintosh – Performer, artist and fundraiser
• Ken Davis – Political activist and LGBTQ historian

2008

• Peter Trebilco –Political activist and LGBTQ mental health advocate
• Bruce Pollack – LGBTQ community activist and fundraiser 

2007

• Don Baxter – Leading HIV/AIDS activist and administrator
• Jane Marsden – LGBTQ community activist and fundraiser