Nominations open for 2024 AQ Recognition Awards
27 Aug 2024
Help Autism Queensland (AQ) celebrate achievement, advocacy, and inclusion across the autism community by nominating an individual, school, or organisation in our annual 2024 AQ Recognition Awards!
Autism Queensland’s annual Recognition Awards celebrate autistic people and the families, professionals, organisations, and communities who go above and beyond to include and support them. Whether it’s a young person achieving a personal goal, an autistic person making an impact in their field, a parent or carer creating change, or a school, early childhood centre, or organisation leading the way in inclusion, your nomination can help ensure their contribution is recognised and celebrated.
Please note: Autism Queensland, including AQ School, and its programs and staff are not eligible for nomination in any award category. While we genuinely appreciate your feedback and the stories you share, these nominations cannot be accepted to avoid conflicts of interest and ensure a fair and equitable process for our community.
Nominations close: 11:59PM (AEST) Monday 23 September 2024
All nominees must reside in Queensland. Anyone can submit a nomination, including family members, friends, colleagues, schools, early childhood services, community organisations, allied health professionals, service providers, autistic people, and members of the community. Self-nominations are welcomed.
Finalists will be notified in October. Award winners will be announced at an invitation only event hosted by AQ Patron, Her Excellency The Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM, Governor of Queensland, on Tuesday 3 December 2024, the International Day of People with Disability.
Junior Achievement Award (Under 18)
This award recognises the exceptional achievements of an autistic Queenslander under the age of 18. Achievements can be diverse or specific and may include (but are not limited to):
- Sporting excellence
- Artistic contributions
- Academic accomplishments
- Advocacy efforts
- Overcoming adversity to reach personal goals.
Senior Individual Achievement Award (18+)
This award recognises the exceptional achievements of an autistic Queenslander aged 18 and over. Achievements can be diverse or specific and may include (but are not limited to):
- Sporting excellence
- Artistic contributions
- Academic accomplishments
- Advocacy efforts
- Professional excellence
- Research contributions
- Overcoming adversity to reach personal goals.
Parent/Carer Award
This award recognises exceptional parents and carers who, through their lived experience, have become powerful and inspiring voices and change-makers. Achievements can be diverse or specific and may include (but are not limited to):
- Family life or family achievements
- Compassion or vision in supporting autistic family members and the broader community
- Leadership demonstration
- Systemic change in awareness, inclusion, or education.
School/Early Childhood Education Award
This award recognises the exceptional efforts of a Queensland school, early childhood education centre, or kindergarten. Achievements can be diverse or specific and may include (but are not limited to):
- Championing or demonstration of inclusion and accessibility within their setting
- Understanding the unique needs of autistic students or young children
- Providing holistic and inclusive supports
- Ensuring maximum outcomes for students or young children in their care.
Patronage Award
The Autism Queensland Recognition Awards judging committee and Executive Leadership Team will also present a Patronage Award to recognise a business or individual who has made a major contribution to the organisation and our mission. This is not a community nominated award category.
Important information
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- By submitting a nomination you agree you have carefully read, acknowledge, and agree to the Recognition Awards Guidelines (read in full at the button below).
- All nominations must be submitted using the official nomination form. Nominations submitted by email will not be accepted.
- Nominations will not be accepted after the advertised closing date.
- Self-nominations are welcomed.
- You must inform the person or organisation you are nominating before submitting their nomination. You must have their consent to provide personal details and supporting information or documentation. These details may be used by AQ in current and future promotion of the Awards in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
- For nominees under 18 years of age, you must provide the contact details of their parent or legal guardian, rather than the child’s personal contact details. You must have the parent’s or guardian’s consent to provide this information and confirm that the contact details supplied belong to an adult. AQ will not knowingly contact nominees under 18 directly; all award-related communications will be directed to their parent or legal guardian using the contact information provided in the submission.
- All individual nominees must reside in Queensland.
- Only 1 winner will be selected in each category. The judging panel may award any number of special commendations in each category.
- The judges decision is final. No negotiations will be entered into.
- All nominations will be advised of their outcome. Award recipients and special commendations will be acknowledged on the AQ website following the Awards ceremony.
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For media enquiries, interview requests, or permission to reproduce content, please contact us. Information published on this website is provided for general informational purposes and should not be taken as a substitute for individualised advice.
