Community organisations dedicated to supporting the most vulnerable members of the LGBTI community were among a diverse mix of community members and groups honoured for their work in support of LGBTI communities at the Honour Awards in Sydney on 3 October 2018. Hundreds of people and organisations from across NSW and Australia came together to celebrate the achievements of equality champions and unsung heroes, as well as the strength and resilience of the LGBTI community. The winners were selected from a diverse field of over 230 nominations and 28 finalists, and their awards were presented at a ceremony at the Ivy Ballroom.
GALLERY: See all the glitz and glamour at the 2018 Honour Awards here
2018 HONOUR AWARDS RECIPIENTS
COMMUNITY HERO: ROBYN KENNEDY
For her unwavering commitment to the LGBTI community spanning over four decades. Over the years, Robyn has advocated for LGBTI rights through various roles with groups such as CAMP Inc, Gay Solidarity, Gay Task Force, First Mardi Gras Inc, and Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.
Picture: Robyn Kennedy (centre) with Casey Conway and ACON CEO Nicolas Parkhill. Photo: Robert Knapman Photography
YOUNG ACHIEVER: BAYVICK LAWRANCE
For being an inspirational role model and spokesperson for LGBTIQ Pacific Islander youth through his work in fashion design in Fiji and Australia.
Picture: Bayvick Lawrance with people2people Managing Director Mark Smith and Newtown MP Jenny Leong. Photo: Robert Knapman Photography
COMMUNITY ORGANISATION (JOINT WINNERS): THE EQUALITY CAMPAIGN & HUMAN RIGHTS LAW CENTRE
The Equality Campaign: Recognising the joint effort of Australian Marriage Equality and Australians for Equality in leading the national push that led to marriage equality in Australia.
Human Rights Law Centre: For delivering positive legal change for Australia’s LGBTI communities in various areas such as equal marriage rights, the expungement of historical homosexual convictions and LGBTI parenting reforms.
Picture: Anna Brown from the Human Rights Law Centre (far left) with volunteers from the Equality Campaign. Photo: Robert Knapman Photography
HEALTH & WELLBEING: DR ALLISON BIEWLAWSKI
For over 20 years of providing healthcare to the LGBTI community in her role as a local GP, and for her strong advocacy for LGBTI health through her involvement with various health advisory boards and committees.
Picture: Dr Allison Biewlawski. Photo: Robert Knapman Photography
HIV HERO: DAVID CRAWFORD
For three decades of providing service and care to people living with HIV, including a long-running role as a registered nurse at Ward 17 South at St Vincent’s Hospital. Now at Positive Life NSW, David continues to work tirelessly to improve the health and wellbeing of people living with HIV.
Picture: David Crawford (centre) with Sydney MP Alex Greenwich and Australian Human Rights Commission President Dr Rosalind Croucher. Photo: Robert Knapman Photography
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT: MARK TREVORROW
For delivering over 30 years of entertainment as ‘Bob Downe’ – one of Australia’s most iconic showbiz characters. Throughout this time, Mark/Bob has lent his name to various causes, giving generously to countless charities and organisations.
Picture: Mark Trevorrow and his partner Stefan delivers a video message at the Honour Awards ceremony. Photo: Robert Knapman Photography
BUSINESS AWARD: SAX LEATHER
For its long-running retailing business catering to Sydney’s leather and fetish community, which has been operating for nearly two decades. Over the years, the Oxford Street store has supported a broad range of LGBTI causes and organisations through sponsorships and direct donations.
Picture: Wayne Nicol from Sax Leather. Photo: Robert Knapman Photography
CAYTE LATTA MEMORIAL AWARD FOR VISUAL ARTS: KIM LEUTWYLER
Born in America, Sydney-based Kim Leutwyler works in a variety of media including painting, installation, ceramics, print and drawing. Her current work takes its forms in paintings dealing with images of beauty, gender and queer-identity, and her art has been exhibited in multiple galleries and museums throughout Australia and the United States.
Picture: Kim Leutwyler. Photo: Robert Knapman Photography
MEDIA AWARD: Dr Shirleene Robinson
For her extensive body of work in the media that has drawn attention to LGBTIQ issues. One of Australia’s leading LGBTIQ historians, Shirleene has written a wide range of piece exploring topics such as the gay panic defence, marriage equality, the HIV/AIDS epidemic and LGBTI personnel in the military. Shirleene has also published a range of books, having co-authored several titles that explores LGBTI history.
Picture:Dr Shirleene Robinson. Photo: Robert Knapman Photography
PRESIDENT’S AWARD: CAMP INC.
For the ground-breaking work of one of Australia’s first political organisations for lesbian and gay people. Founded in 1970 with the aim of educating the general Australian public about homosexuality and alleviating the isolation and poor mental health experienced by many lesbian and gay people at the time, CAMP Inc played an instrumental role in raising the visibility of lesbian and gay people in NSW, advocating for their rights, and supporting the mental health of the community.
Picture: ACON President Dr Justin Koonin (far rights) with CAMP Inc members Peter De Waal, Robyn Plaister and Ian Black.
VIDEO: See all the presenters and winners at Honour Awards 2018