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 LGBTQ 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.

2025

In 2025 as part of ACON's 40th Anniversary Ruby Gala Dinner, three Honour Awards were presented:

ACON President's Award
Presented to acclaimed photographer and storyteller William Yang, whose five-decade career has profoundly shaped how LGBTQ stories are seen and remembered. Through his evocative photography and performance work, Yang has chronicled the loves, losses and triumphs of queer life in Australia, creating a powerful record of visibility and resilience that continues to inspire understanding and pride.

Community Hero Award
Presented to Saxon Wilson for a lifetime of work ensuring LGBTQ events and venues are safe, inclusive and welcoming. Known for their calm presence and commitment to care, Saxon has spent over 30 years supporting community spaces as a door host, mentor and first responder. Their behind-the-scenes leadership has made nightlife safer and more inclusive for countless LGBTQ people across generations.

Young Achiever Award
Presented to Brenna Harding for championing youth leadership and equity through her work with Wear It Purple. As both Vice President and President, Brenna helped establish the Queer Futures Fund, directing over $300,000 in grants to youth-led creative and community projects. Her dedication to accessibility, inclusion and First Nations engagement, along with her advocacy as an actor and DEI professional, has strengthened representation for young LGBTQIA+ people nationwide.

2024

• Ghassan Kassisieh (Community Hero)
• Abbie Jane (Young Achiever Award)
• The Aurora Group (Community Organisation Award)
• Dr Melissa Kelly and Mags Smith (Health & Wellbeing Award)
• C Moore Hardy (Cayte Latta Memorial Award for Visual Arts)
• The Bobby Goldsmith Foundation (HIV Hero Award)
• Dan Bourchier (Media Award)
• Stan Munro and DJ Gemma (joint winners of Arts & Entertainment Award)
• Ty Dovans and Luke Frappell from 357 Sauna (Business Award)
• Les McDonald (ACON President's Award)

2023

• Giovanni Campolo-Arcidiaco (Community Hero)
• Newcastle Pride (Community Organisation)
  
• Trikone Australia (Community Organisation)
• Bree Mountain (Young Achiever Award)
• Garrett Prestage (Health & Wellbeing Award)
• Jeff McCann (Cayte Latta Memorial Award for Visual Arts)
  
• David Polson (HIV Hero)
• Narelda Jacobs (Media Award)
• Courtney Act (Arts & Entertainment Award)
• Nungala Creative (Business Award)
• 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
• Sydney WorldPride (Honorary Honour)

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