John Brookes wins at the 2019 Chief Miniser's Inclusion Awards

John Brookes won the Excellence in Volunteer Support award at the 2019 ACT Chief Minister’s Inclusion Awards!

This award recognises an individual volunteer who supports people with disability who has shown outstanding dedication to empowering people with disability to increase their independence, enhance belonging in community and achieve goals.

John Brookes has worked for over 20 years in non-profit, voluntary and charity sectors in the UK and Australia - ranging from engagement, fundraising and advocacy. In Australia, John worked with the ACT Mental Health Consumer Network on a consumer engagement strategy and campaign for Mental Health Week and developed a website and online consumer forum for PANDSI, the perinatal depression charity. Whilst at Pedal Power ACT – a cycling charity – many of the organisation’s messages were targeted at inclusion for the elderly and people with disability through initiatives such as the FIT-Ability Tandem Cycling program.

John is currently working with artists and local community groups to launch a project to develop an online portal where artists and consumers can engage and collaborate. The judging panel were impressed by the length of time and variety of meaningful ways that John has supported people with disability, not only in Canberra but nationally and internationally.

John, with fellow winner Anton