ACON acknowledges the traditional owners of the land we operate on across NSW and remind people that we are on Aboriginal land. ACON also acknowledges the Elders and in particular those visiting this website.

Nominations Now Open

ELIGIBILITY, TERMS & CONDITIONS

Shine a light on outstanding achievements, exceptional leaders and/or extraordinary community service that have made a positive difference to the lives of LGBTQ+ people in New South Wales.

  • Nominations are FREE
  • Nominees must reside or be based in New South Wales and/or working primarily in New South Wales
  • Nominations can only be entered into one category
  • Self-nominations are permitted
  • One nomination is sufficient for an individual or organisation to be considered
  • The number of nominations received per nominee bears no weight in their selection

Click here to read the full Eligibility Criteria, Terms and Conditions

Click here for tips on submitting nominations 

Nominations close Friday 31 July 2026

 


AWARD CATEGORIES & CRITERIA

 


Community Hero 

The Community Hero award recognises an LGBTQ community member in New South Wales who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and/or delivered outstanding service that have created lasting and positive rainbow community impact.

Selection criteria (one or more of the following):

  • Significant contribution to social, cultural and community wellbeing of rainbow communities, above and beyond employment duties
  • Demonstrated leadership resulting in lasting and positive change for LGBTQ people, improving rainbow community life
  • The scope of impact the individual’s contribution has on rainbow communities in NSW and/or Australia
  • An inspirational role model for rainbow communities

To nominate, scroll down to the nomination form below

 


Volunteer Hero 

The Volunteer Hero award recognises an individual whose outstanding service, sustained commitment and leadership has made a significant contribution to rainbow communities.

Selection criteria (one or more of the following):

  • Significant contributions as a volunteer, leading to positive impacts for their organisation, group or broader rainbow communities
  • Sustained commitment and dedication in voluntary service, selflessly giving their time, skills and energy in support of others and common good
  • Demonstrated initiative, resourcefulness and/or being a leader in their volunteer work

To nominate, scroll down to the nomination form below

 


Young Achiever Award

The Young Achiever Award recognises a person aged 30 years and under who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, delivered outstanding service or achieved remarkable success that have resulted in significant positive community impact.

Selection criteria (one or more of the following):

  • Significant contribution to rainbow communities, above and beyond employment duties
  • Outstanding achievements and/or excellence in their field of endeavour
  • Demonstrated leadership or effort that have led to positive change
  • An inspirational role model for rainbow communities

To nominate, scroll down to the nomination form below

 


Arts, Entertainment & Media 

The Arts, Entertainment and Media Award recognises the work of a person, organisation or project that have displayed excellence, demonstrated leadership and/or delivered an outstanding service that have made a positive impact to rainbow communities in the creative industries, arts, popular culture, entertainment and/or media.

  • Eligible Entity: Person or organisation
  • Eligible Fields: Creative industries, arts, popular culture, entertainment and/or media

Selection Criteria:

  • Leadership or innovation in arts, entertainment and/or media resulting in positive impact for rainbow communities
  • Significant contribution to the development and elevation of LGBTQ+ arts, culture and media
  • Demonstrated achievement within their area of practice
  • Contribution to diverse LGBTQ+ cultural expression

To nominate, scroll down to the nomination form below

 


Health & Wellbeing 

The Health and Wellbeing Award recognises people and organisations that protect and promote the health, wellbeing and safety of rainbow communities through their leadership, service and/or achievements in the fields of medicine, healthcare, spirituality, sport, education, research and/or advocacy.

  • Eligible Entity: Person or organisation
  • Eligible Fields: Medicine, healthcare, spirituality, sport, education, research and/or advocacy

Selection criteria:

  • Significant contribution to the health and wellbeing of rainbow communities
  • Demonstrated leadership resulting in positive impact for rainbow communities
  • Outstanding service that has improved rainbow health and wellbeing
  • A significant initiative which has bought about positive change for rainbow community health

To nominate, scroll down to the nomination form below

 


HIV Hero 

The HIV Hero award recognises the work of a person or organisation that has provided exceptional leadership and/or delivered outstanding service, making a significant contribution to the HIV sector and people living with HIV.

  • Eligible Entity: Person or organisation
  • Eligible Fields: HIV prevention, support, advocacy, care, treatment and/or research

Selection criteria:

  • The person or organisation has demonstrated leadership in and for the HIV sector and/or people living with HIV
  • Significant contribution to the HIV sector and/or people living with HIV, above and beyond employment duties
  • The scope of impact the person or group’s work has on the HIV sector and/or people living with HIV

To nominate, scroll down to the nomination form below

 


Community Organisation 

The Community Organisation Award recognises the work of a community/not-for-profit organisations that have provided exceptional leadership and/or delivered outstanding service, creating lasting and positive change for rainbow communities.

  • Eligible Entity: Community/not for profit organisation based in New South Wales
  • Eligible Fields: Any

Selection criteria

  • Significant contribution to rainbow communities leading to positive outcomes
  • Work and/or achievements that have improved social, cultural and community wellbeing of rainbow communities
  • Demonstrated leadership, collaboration and/or inclusion in support of rainbow communities
  • The scope of impact the group’s contribution has on rainbow communities in NSW and/or Australia

 


Business Award 

The Business Award recognises the work of a person or commercial/for-profit organisation that have demonstrated leadership and/or deliver outstanding service which have made a significant and positive impact to rainbow communities in the fields of business, finance, retail, commerce and/or industry.

  • Eligible Entity: Person or commercial/for-profit organisation
  • Eligible Fields: Business, finance, commerce and/or industry

Selection Criteria:

  • Excellence in service provision and delivery
  • Demonstrated leadership resulting in positive change for rainbow communities
  • Outstanding contributions to LGBTQ social, cultural and/or community wellbeing

To nominate, scroll down to the nomination form below

 


Visual Arts Award & Prize

This Cayte Latta Memorial Award for Visual Art, with a cash prize of $1000, recognises outstanding artistic achievement in visual art that expresses, interprets or explores issues or themes affecting the LGBTQ community. The award is named in memory of Cayte Latta - an accomplished photographer, artist, filmmaker, social activist and a leading figure in Sydney's LGBTQ communities for over two decades until her passing in 2010.

  • Eligible Entity: Open to artists residing or working primarily in New South Wales.
  • Eligible Fields: Photography, painting, drawing, video, filmmaking, printmaking, graphic design, sculpture, ceramics and crafts.

Submission process:

  • Artists can submit entries of previous work or work specifically created for the award.
  • A body of work (up to 5 works) can be submitted but artists should highlight one particular work that can be considered independently.
  • Images of works should be uploaded at time of the nomination submission.

To nominate, scroll down to the nomination form below

 


NOMINATE NOW