Illawarra agencies within the Disability Sector joined together to organise the Illawarra Annual Ability Ball which took place at the Chifley Hotel on Friday November 1.

CatholicCare together with The Disability Trust, Illawarra Forum, Life Without Barriers, Interchange, ADHC and all three councils hosted the event to recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements made by individuals with a disability, living in the Illawarra.

This year, the sold out event had a new format with the additions of award categories like 'Sports person of the Year', 'Community person of the Year', 'Arts/Drama person of the Year' and 'Employee of the Year'. From these four categories a 'Person of the Year' was selected by the judging panel made up of representatives from all agencies.
The ball launched the calendar of events as part of the Don't Dis my ABILITY campaign leading up to International Day of People with Disability in December.

Congratulations to the Award Winners:

Sports Person of the Year sponsored by McKeon's Swim School
Winner - Denny Mileski
Highly Commended - Nathan Whalen

Community Person of the Year sponsored by Kiama Community College
Winner - Len Snowden
Highly Commended - Tim Frigo

Arts/Drama person of the Year sponsored by Dapto Bowling Club
Winner - Phillip Prentice
Highly Commended - Amy Rupa

Employee of the Year sponsored by Batteries Galore Albion Park and Wollongong
Winner - Ray MacDougall
Highly Commended - Benjamin Gilmore

Paul Comelli Person of the Year sponsored by the Illawarra Community Forum and Illawarra Forum
Winner - Phillip Prentice

For pictures from the night please click here.