LGBTI community awards launched for Victoria

THE Gay and Lesbian Organisation for Business and Enterprise (GLOBE) have launched Victoria’s first LGBTI-specific awards to recognise excellence in the queer community.

Victorian Health Minister David Davis and GLOBE announced the inaugural GLOBE Community Awards, to be presented on October 17, during last night’s Meet the Community event.

GLOBE President David Micallef said the awards were an opportunity to celebrate the successes of the state’s LGBTI community and “honour the exceptional work being done by individuals and groups”.

“We want these awards to be an inspiration to our community, to encourage more excellent work and to help individuals and groups grow,” Micallef said.

The awards will be a chance for members of the Victorian LGBTI community, advocacy groups, businesses and straight allies to nominate and recognise the achievements of those in the media, arts, sports, businesses and LGBTI support groups.

“This is a unique platform in Victoria and we encourage all individuals and groups to nominate and be recognised for the work they do,” Micallef said.

“I encourage all of our GLBTI organisations and community groups to nominate their exceptional people for awards and five them the recognition they deserve.

“This is the time for us to stop and say thanks.”

The awards will include four categories for groups and individuals that organisations will be able to nominate themselves in: A Healthy Community, Networking the GLBTI Community, Excellence in Business, and Protecting Our Community.

There will also be six individual awards titled Media Excellence, Artist of the Year, Straight Ally of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Sports Person of the Year, and The GLOBE GLBTI Person of the Year.

Nominations for the awards will close on August 31 and finalists will be announced in September.