In Focus: Social Inclusion Award

Social Inclusion — Winner: Twin Towns

The first winner in his category was Twin Towns for their support of children with special needs, through the provision of kids’ parties.

Children with additional needs often struggle to be accepted, with many finding it tough to meet and make new friends, have physical limitations, emotional or behavioural problems, or find unfamiliar environments stressful.

Although preschool and school-aged children regularly attend parties throughout their school years, heartbreakingly, many kids with additional needs seldom receive an invitation. 

Twin Towns has changed all of that, with children in the local community, along with their parents or carers and their siblings, receiving an invitation every year to attend the biggest free, fully catered kids party in the Tweed Shire.

Club Director David Phillips said winning the Social Inclusion Award was a big thrill for Town Towns, but noted their initiative was just one of many great contributions across the industry.

“I think the community can be proud of all of the clubs in the LGA, because it’s not just Twin Towns, the ClubGRANTS process allows everybody to contribute,” he said.

Social Inclusion — Winner: Cherry Street Sports Group

The second winner in this category was Cherry Street Sports Group for the role they played in launching Purple Friday, an initiative which takes a stance against domestic violence.

Every Friday, the purple shirts are worn in the community to spread the message that the town says no to domestic violence.

It’s become so big that other businesses, school staff, Ballina Shire Council, courtrooms, clubs and sporting groups proudly don their Purple Friday shirt.

In fact, it’s almost impossible to walk down the street in Ballina on any given Friday and not see someone wearing a Purple Friday shirt.

“Our profit-for-purpose mentality is to make sure we improve the lives of our members and improve the lives of the community in which we live in, and this is showing them that the profits we make is put back into our community, we are a great corporate citizen, and we keep pushing that mentality,” said Cherry Street Sports Group General Manager Tere Sheehan after the win.

Social Inclusion — Highly Commended: Norths

The Highly Commended in this category was awarded to Norths for their support of Assistance Dogs Australia (ADA), which enhances independence and social inclusion for people with disabilities by providing highly trained, accredited assistance dogs.

ADA provides dogs to individuals with physical disabilities, children and young adults with autism, and veterans and first responders with PTSD.

The organisation relies on donations from the public and support from corporate partners, philanthropists, trusts and foundations, including that of Norths.

Those in attendance at the Clubs & Community Awards Night saw first-hand the benefit that assistance dogs provide, with one recipient, Sarah-Jane, in attendance.

Sarah-Jane was sadly left a quadriplegic after a surgeon had a slip of hand during a routine operation. With the help of her assistance dog Cozie, Sarah-Jane has been able to enjoy aspects of her life that she’d been missing since her accident.

Norths’ support of ADA, and in turn people such as Sarah-Jane, was recognised with a Highly Commended Award in the Social Inclusion category.

“The Award is just recognition for the wonderful work that many people do, in particular Assistance Dogs Australia and our connection with them… we really want to make sure that people can live life to the fullest,” said Norths CEO Luke Simmons.