Move FM Regional news

LITHGOW, Central West, NSW, Australia – The Lithgow community gathered together on Tuesday for a celebration of achievement by individuals and organizations that have contributed to making the city a socially inclusive and thriving community.

The annual Lithgow Ability Awards saw twenty-three nominees and their supporters taking part in the proceedings at the Lithgow Workies Club, which were overseen by Mayor of Lithgow City Council Ray Thompson.

The 2018 winners of the Lithgow Ability Awards were:

–       Volunteer of the Year – Jenny Creevey

–       Lithgow Ability Mastery Award – Leanne Walding

–       Community Leader Award – Peyton Richardson

–       Fundraiser Award – Peyton Richardson

–       Employee of the Year Award – Priscilla Steele

–       Employer of the Year Award – Lithgow Information and Neighbourhood Centre Limited

–       Health and Wellbeing Award – Lithgow High School Wellbeing Centre

–       Accessibility Award – Lithgow City Council – Adventure Playground

–       Young Community Spirit Award – Lithgow High School – Transition to Work Class 2018

–       Young Community Spirit Award – La Salle Academy Access Class 2018

–       Community Project Award – Lithgow High School Special Education – Transition to Work Program

“I felt privileged to be a part of the 2018 Lithgow Ability Awards and to honour such a wonderful and deserving group of people,” Lithgow Mayor Ray Thompson said Tuesday. “We have a lot of amazing things going on in our community, many of which are thanks to the people we have celebrated today.”

“The dedication shown from advocating for rights and needs, to making play spaces where everyone can play, and; to supporting access to programs and workplaces is inspiring. I commend the work that is being done to make Lithgow a more inclusive place for people with a disability, ” said the mayor.

The awards were opened with a presentation and performance by professional saxophone player Neil Duncan, who shared his amazing story of adapting to playing with one arm following an illness and now playing one of the world’s few saxophones for one-armed players.