Congratulations to our 2024 Recognition Awards Winners

Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM, Governor of Queensland, and Prof Graeme Nimmo hosted the 2024 Recognition Awards Ceremony at an evening cocktail event at Government House, Brisbane on Tuesday 3 December, the International Day of People with Disability.

(Pictured): Her Excellency (Centre) Professor Nimmo (immediate right), AQ CEO Pam Macrossan (immediate right), AQ Chair Neil Makepeace (Far Right), with the award winners and special commendation recipients. 

Junior Individual Achievement Award (Under 18)

This award recognises the exceptional achievements of an autistic Queenslander under 18 such as sporting excellence, artistic contributions, academic accomplishments, advocacy efforts, overcoming adversity to reach personal goals.

Natascha Tennent
Natascha, 17, is the Number 1 female golfer with disability in Australia, number 13 in the world, and last year won gold in the Special Olympics World Games. Natascha, who was diagnosed with ASD and Tourettes at a young age, not only has great plans for her golfing career, she also advocates for others with disability, as she believes everyone should be given a chance to pursue their dreams.

Special Commendation: Wyatt Hurrell, Jaxson McConnell, Daniel Catania.

Senior Individual Achievement Award (18 years and over)

Presented to an autistic Queenslander 18 years and over to recognise outstanding achievement that can include but are not limited to professional excellence, research contributions, personal achievements in sports, academics, or family life.

Cody Robinson
Cody has been instrumental in establishing queer and neurodivergent businesses, support groups and networking opportunities in the Toowoomba community. She runs New Leaf Social Work, focusing on local neurodiverse youth and providing additional online support to others. Cody combines her lived experience of autism, with her tertiary training and evidence-based practices. She is passionate about youth justice and early intervention, and community-focussed in her work to support disadvantaged youth groups.

Special Commendation: Haydn Brumm, Zachary Jaggard

Parent/Carer Award

This award honours a Queensland parent or carer who plays a significant role in supporting an autistic family member.

Pia Robinson
Pia’s husband nominated her for being an amazing mother to their recently diagnosed child and a tireless advocate for families. As a result of her family’s struggle to find sensory safe spaces in public art spaces, she began connecting with major arts programs to create environments where families of neurodivergent children can belong, play and creatively express themselves. As The Culture Crusader she aims to take art outside the gallery and in the community for all.

Special Commendation: Kizziah Dalton

School/Early Childhood Education Award

This award acknowledges the exceptional efforts of a Queensland school, early childhood education centre, or kindergarten in understanding the unique needs of autistic students or young children; providing holistic and inclusive support; and ensuring maximum outcomes for students or young children in their care.

Mooloolaba State School Inclusion Support Team
The mum who nominated our award winners, described the school as a beacon of inclusion, a leader in welcoming and nurturing neurodivergent students, with an unparallelled understanding of the diverse needs of autistic children. Her autistic twins are flourishing in Year 3 and she believes the school and inclusion team are setting a new benchmark in education, ensuring that every student—regardless of their neurodiversity—can shine. (Our winners were unable to attend the presentation. Pictured: AQ CEO Pam Macrossan accepting the award from Her Excellency on their behalf).

Special Commendation: Ascot State School, Gympie South Out of Hours School Care, St Peter’s Lutheran College Springfield, Innisfail State School.

Patronage Award

This award is presented by Autism Queensland to recognise support of note by a business, organisation or individual.

Viatris
This award recognises the continued and generous support of Viatris for Autism Queensland’s annual fundraising initiatives over the past two years, with particular note of their major sponsorship of the recent 10K or 10 Your Way Campaign. We acknowledge Viatris’ holistic efforts to share this support across the workplace by inviting Autism Queensland to be involved in staff events, which in turn furthers awareness and understanding of autism and our services to the Viatris community in Brisbane and further afield.

Special Commendation: Neoscape, Dawn Athletic.