Queenslanders recognised at National Disability Awards

Minister for Disability Services and Multicultural Affairs
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk
24/11/2009
Queenslanders recognised at National Disability Awards
 
Disability Services Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk today congratulated three Queenslanders honoured at last night's National Disability Awards at Parliament House in Canberra.

Sue Gordon of Toowoomba received the Minister's Lifelong Achievement Award for her commitment to improving the legal rights of people with a disability.

Two other Queenslanders - Sereako Treloggen of Tully and Dr John MacPherson of Brisbane - were also finalists at the awards.

Ms Palaszczuk said the three Queenslanders all shared a determination and passion to make life better for people with a disability.

"I want to congratulate all three Queensland finalists for their dedication to improving the lives of people with disability," she said.

"Their hard work and commitment are improving the lives of their fellow Queenslanders.

"They were selected from a pool of 240 nominations across Australia to become three of 15 finalists nationwide.

"It's fitting that we recognise their outstanding contributions ahead of International Day of People with a Disability on 3 December."

Ms Palaszczuk said the Bligh Government was committed to creating a modern and inclusive Queensland for people of all abilities.

"We want to give all Queenslanders a fair go," she said. "We want to ensure people with a disability and their families and carers get the opportunities many take for granted."

Queensland finalist achievements:

Sue Gordon of Toowoomba is the recipient of the Minister's Lifelong Achievement Award category for improving the legal rights of people with a disability. After Sue's son acquired a severe brain injury in a football match at the age of 27, she has driven significant reforms in the disability sector. For the last 15 years Sue has worked for The Advocacy and Support Centre in Queensland where she assisted with the establishment of Australia's only dedicated criminal law service for defendants with a disability.

Sereako Treloggen of Tully, North Queensland, is a finalist in the Disability Rights Young Leader Award category. Sere has spent most of his 18 years advocating for, and raising awareness of people with a disability in his home town of Tully. In 2008 Sere discussed the challenges and opportunities he has faced growing up with cerebral palsy when appeared on the ABC Message Stick Indigenous television program. He has raised awareness of cerebral palsy in his local community through delivering speeches to school students, advocating for wheelchair access at the council chamber on Thursday Island, and through fund raising activities for the purchase of vehicle to improve Sere's access to the wider community.

Dr John MacPherson, a Disability Partnerships and Programs Officer at Brisbane City Council, is a finalist in the Local Government Award category. John is an experienced leader and teacher in disability topics who has worked across local, state and federal governments to improve accessibility to public transport and premises for people with a disability. John's achievements include designing and delivering the Access Brisbane publication and website.

The two other award categories were Business Award and Social Inclusion Award.

For more information on the awards visit www.idpwd.com.au