LGBTQ people and organisations providing much-needed support to others, or assisting in the COVID response, are the subject of a new online video series by the Honour Awards.
Organised by ACON, the Honour Awards is NSW’s premier LGBTQ community awards event, acknowledging outstanding service and achievements by sexuality and gender diverse people and organisations.
First held in 2007, it recognises achievements in areas such as media, business, the arts, health, HIV, youth, visual arts and community service. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the 2020 awards, usually held in October, was cancelled.
However, while the awards and the event are not taking place, ACON will use the much-loved ‘Honour’ brand to highlight outstanding community service – especially during the pandemic – with a video series entitled We Thank You to be released on social media in October.
“We know there are some incredible people and organisations in our communities doing amazing things to help others during these challenging times,” said ACON CEO Nicolas Parkhill. “So, in keeping with the spirit of Honour of acknowledging unsung heroes, we are shining a light on these moving stories with our ‘We Thank You’ video series.
Among those featured in seven-part video series include Carolyn Murray (Director of Contact Tracing, NSW Health); Simon Byerley (Nurse Educator, St Vincent’s Hospital Darlinghurst); Cassandra Dearing and Owen Hutchings (rpavirtual); Trans Pride Australia; Rainbow Meals and Goodies program in the Northern Rivers, the Multicultural LGBTQ Community Food Assistance Program, and the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence food relief program, delivered in partnership with and BLAQ Aboriginal Corporation.
“Through the series, we want to showcase these inspirational individuals and groups, who have risen to the challenge during the pandemic to deliver much-needed support to those in need or assist in the COVID response,” said Parkhill. “We are truly grateful for their efforts.”
Dowson Turco Lawyers, Honour’s long-standing principal partner, has provided funding support for the series. “We are proud partners of ACON and the Honour Awards, which is all about celebrating all kinds of community service,” said DTL Senior Partner Nicholas Stewart.
“This video series showcases some of the amazing efforts that LGBTQ people and organisations have put in to the COVID-19 response. By sharing stories of their service in keeping us and the broader community all safe during the pandemic, we will also say, Thank you,” said Stewart.
The Honour Awards We Thank You video series will launch on Monday 19 October on ACON’s social media channels on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram. For more information about ACON, visit: www.acon.org.au for details.
Image: courtesy of ACON