Community & Business
13 October, 2023
35 years of service
Oakey’s Helen Bawden OAM has been awarded the prestigious Judy Antonio Memorial Award at the 10th Toowoomba and Darling Downs disABILITY Awards.
Mrs Bawden was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)in 2011 for service to the community and to this day continues to volunteer.
She also cares for her beloved husband Barry, who acquired a brain injury 35 years ago.
She has been a driving force in the Oakey Community Care Committee, a volunteer group that has been meeting monthly since 2008.
“I am still in a state of surprise and so very honoured,” Mrs Bawden said.
“It was an amazing night and so special for me to be a VIP and receive the award.”
Last week’s gala awards dinner celebrated the 10th Business disABILITY Awards, Toowoomba & Darling Downs.
The event recognises social and workplace inclusion in the region by awarding individuals and businesses who are helping to create more inclusive workplaces and a community for all abilities.
The event, held at the Edmund Rice Cultural Centre in Toowoomba, was hosted by Master of Ceremonies, Business disABILITY Awards committee member and event founder, Kim Stokes.
Guests were treated to a quick-change dance performance by international stage act Soul Mystique and entertained and inspired with stories of her past and present day by renowned global humanitarian Moira Kelly AO.
Winners were announced across ten award categories including the Elissa Flanagan ‘Aim High’ Scholarship, named in honour of the young woman who was involved in a fatal road accident on her way home from the Awards event in 2015.
Elissa’s family including her husband Rob Whitby and three children attended the event to present the scholarship to the winner on the day.
