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3 December 2025
A wonderful group of 8 Recipients across 7 categories is announced today in the National Awards for Disability Leadership.
The Recipients illustrate the incredible expertise and approach undertaken by disabled people in pursuing equality and recognition for our community. see full list with bios
Deserved recognition for Damian Griffis, Recipient of the Lesley Hall Award for Lifetime Achievement. Damian is the CEO of First Peoples Disability Network and has committed countless hours to both First Nations and disability communities. He is respected and loved by many as he continues to work to ensure that First Nations disabled people are part of building the solutions and have the supports they require. Damian has been instrumental in building internal structures at the NDIS amongst many other important bodies of work over many years.
These Awards reflect what is important to disabled people and the ways that we are effecting change and pursuing equality for our community. They recognise outstanding achievements by individuals and organisations who have significantly contributed to advancing the status of disabled people.
The Awards are delivered across seven categories for outstanding achievement or outcomes by disabled people, reflecting the diversity of our community, and the intersectional nature of our lives, including The Arts, Change Making, Rights Activism, Innovation, Social Impact, Inclusion (for intersectional work), and the Lesley Hall Award for Lifetime Achievement.
The National Awards for Disability Leadership are owned and run solely by disabled people (following the federal government stepping back in 2018), all nominees are disabled people and all those associated with the Awards are disabled people.
Lesley Hall Award for Lifetime Achievement
Rights Activism
Inclusion (for operating intersectionally)
Innovation
Social Impact
Change Making
Arts
https://disabilityleaders.com.au/disability-leaders/national-awards/
Elizabeth Robinson – Researchers discuss frailty, home care for reduced hospitalisation
Disability Leadership Institute – Australians tell their stories for International Day of People with Disability
Tim Harte – How a ballet dancer became a Young Australian of the Year finalist
Elizabeth Robinson – Research: In-home care models linked to reduced hospitalisation and emergency visits
Anna Boucher – Can a fair and productive workplace exist?
Colleen Furlanetto – Driver Reviver program impacted on Australian road safety
Rosie Putland – Rosie Putland’s Modality Co breaking digital barriers nationwide
Bree Hadley – Disability Arts History Australia website launched
Anna Boucher – Holiday workers propping up key sectors exposed to serious workplace injuries
Karen Hedley – Over 50s must rethink COVID to know they can get seriously ill
Natalie Terry-Bedwell – Capalaba gym wins state award for creating inclusive community hub
Christina Ryan – Everything you need to know about the 2025 Australian of the Year nominees
An outstanding field of 22 Finalists across 7 categories is announced today in the leadup to the National Awards for Disability Leadership. Recipients will be announced on 3 December 2025, International Day for People with Disabilities.
The finalists illustrate the breadth of work undertaken by disabled people in pursuing equality and recognition for disabled people. (see full list with bios)
The 2025 finalists feature an Easy Read specialist, a deaf storyteller, a young First Nations woman making change at the United Nations, a journalist, a respected multicultural communities pioneer, a regional Australia change maker, LGBTIQA+ activists, a prominent autism advocate, rights activists across a range of fields including education and dance, the founder of a parents advocacy organisation, and a First Nations leaders, amongst others.
These Awards reflect what is important to disabled people and the ways that we are effecting change and pursuing equality for our community. They recognise outstanding achievements by individuals and organisations who have significantly contributed to advancing the status of disabled people.
The Awards will be delivered across seven categories for outstanding achievement or outcomes by disabled people, reflecting the diversity of our community, and the intersectional nature of our lives, including The Arts, Change Making, Rights Activism, Innovation, Social Impact, Inclusion (for intersectional work), and the Lesley Hall Award for Lifetime Achievement.
The National Awards for Disability Leadership are owned and run solely by disabled people (following the federal government stepping back in 2018), all nominees are disabled people and all those associated with the Awards are disabled people.
Lesley Hall Award for Lifetime Achievement
Rights Activism
Inclusion
Innovation
Social Impact
Change Making
Arts