The Lord Mayoral Awards recognise individuals with a disability who have made an outstanding contribution to the community advocating for the rights and well-being of people with disability. They are presented as part of the annual International Day of People with Disability celebrations on 3 December.

Please contact the City of Darwin Community Development Officer on 08 8930 0560 for more information.

Nomination Categories

The Champion Award

A person who has made an outstanding contribution to the community advocating for the rights and well-being of people with disability

Criteria:

The nominee has a disability. The nominee has made a significant contribution to the Darwin community, which has resulted in improved conditions, services, well-being, or understanding of individuals or groups of people with disabilities. The nominee has a record of being a champion for the rights of people with disabilities.

The Rising Star Award

A person under 25 who makes an ongoing contribution to their school, workplace or community advocating for the rights and well-being of people with disability

Criteria:

The nominee is under 25 years old with a disability. The nominee makes an ongoing contribution to their school, workplace or community. The nominee advocates for the rights and well-being of people with disability.

Winners

The winners of the 2022 Lord Mayoral Awards were announced at the Carnival of Fun held on 2 December 2022 to celebrate International Day of People with Disability.

The Rising Star for 2022 is Abigail Maralngurra. Abigail is the youngest member of the Freespace Public Art Collective, the group of exceptional artists operating out of Darwin Community Art's, Free Space Studio, who delivered the most significant public art installation created in Darwin. Abigail's contribution to the Jingili Water Gardens Playground upgrade was significant in scale and sophisticated in concept, responding to the ecosystem of the Rapid Creek area through her drawings. Abigail's art has been used outside of this project to feature on City of Darwin infrastructure in parts of Rapid Creek and the Nightcliff Foreshore. For the significance of her contribution to the vibrancy of Darwin at such a young age Abigail is deserving Rising Star winner.

The Champion for 2022 is Paul Johnes. Paul has facilitated vegetable gardens at his supported independent living accommodation and at the Inclusion Centre encouraging everyone to join in reducing stress and promoting positivity. Paul has introduced the activity of wood burning at The Inclusion Centre and takes it upon himself to impart his skills and provide exceptional support to people who would like to learn this activity. he tries to enrich the lives of people around him - his unsolicited mentoring and contributions to participants at the centre display his dedication to serving people around him. he also educates others about their rights and services they can access from NDIS.