Celebrations for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities were held in Bega on Friday, a day earlier than the official date. 

The room was packed out to cheer on those announced as the award winners through the organisation.

“Today is a day we recognise the contributions of people with a disability and their contributions to working towards an inclusive world,” the Disability Trust’s community connections manager Peter Harvey said. 

“This year has obviously been a huge year in the lives of people with a disability in the southern area of NSW.” 

He said many people had been given their National Disability Insurance Scheme plans, with some very happy with what they had received.

But he also said some were not so happy with their plans, so the organisation was helping appeal them. 

The trust’s employment connections manager David Grealy said the organisation had helped find its clients 75 jobs in the area between Eurobodalla and the Victorian border in the last year. 

“We tend to get people into long term jobs, so we’ve also got about 70 people in such jobs,” he said. 

“Some have been in one job for eight years, others 10 years, and when a job finishes we help them get the next one.” 

As Bega Valley Shire Deputy Mayor Liz Seckold launched the event, she said she could remember when WorkAbility first opened its doors 25 years ago. 

She said the theme for this year’s Day of Persons with Disabilities was achieving 17 goals for the future you want, which could include improving your fitness, furthering your education or just going fishing. 

“Both the Disability Trust and WorkAbility – who merged in 2010 – have ability in their titles,” she said. 

“This is exactly what we are celebrating today – ability.” 

After the award ceremony, those attending got to share a lunch and - the highlight for some – take a photo with the Disability Trust’s mascot Trusty the Turtle.  

Award recipients included: Individual Achievement Award – Arika Kelly, Leadership Award – Cara Hay, School Leaver Employee of the Year – Cameron Shanks and Ada Baker, Long term Employee of the Year – Luc Sedaitis, Employee of the Year – Mac Howson, Sportsperson of the Year – Paul Zeller, Milestone Award – Ross Navara and Independent Living Award – Tim Enright and Amanda Bowering.

There was also Community Inclusion Award – Pambula Bulldogs, Community Partnership Award – Sapphire Coast Buslines, Advocate/Carer Award – Karen Sedatis and John Purser, School Leaver Employer of the Year – Sapphire Coast Marine Discovery Centre, Long term Employer of the Year – Disaster Bay Chillies, Employer of the Year Award – Ragino Coffee, Most Innovative Employer of the Year – South East Regional Hospital and Volunteer of the Year – Karen Taylor.

WorkAbility also thanked its sponsors Betta Electrical Bega, Bendigo Bank Bega, Bega Valley Meats and Bakers Delight Bega.