AN inspiring list of prize winners at the inaugural Tweed Shire Access and Inclusion Awards has set the tone for bigger and greater things in the future, according to organisers and participants.
A community transport service with a trademark saying, “we never say no to a request for transport” has taken top honours in the 2013 awards, which were presented at the Tweed Heads Civic Centre on 3 December.
Tweed Byron Ballina Community Transport has chosen ahead of a strong list of finalists which included a tenants group for a social housing complex in Murwillumbah, the Studio Aperio dance organisation, sailor and scuba diving instructor Tim Thomas and Murwillumbah Cricket Club.
The transport service has taken exceptional steps for provide affordable and accessible transport, which is one of the biggest barriers to participation in community life in this region, awards coordinator and Council’s Aged and Disability Development Officer, Karen Collins, said.
That included creating a fleet of wheelchair accessible vehicles.
“These first awards really set a wonderful foundation to build upon in years to come,” Ms Collins said.
“The awards committee, comprising members of several community and service organisations in the region, is already looking at how we can develop the event next year and beyond.
“An expanded short film competition is at the top of the list, after we received a small but exceptional field of entries this year.”
Entries by Tim Morrissey and Richard Saunders, under the theme My Life, My Story, My Community were commended and screened at the awards night.
“Tim and Richard set the stage and will be an inspiration for other film makers to follow,” Ms Collins said.
