The Amelia Rix Award celebrates the successes of people with a disability in open employment, recognising and acknowledging their goals, achieved through organisation, determination and  perseverance.

The Award is held in memory of the late Amelia Rix who was a long-term participant in the Community Bridging Services (CBS) Inc. Jobnet Employment Program.  CBS Inc. established the Award in 2003 for other Jobnet participants with a disability, who show similar determination and spirit to Amelia in finding and keeping a regular job in open employment. The Award nominees have not only successfully gained employment but have also shown commitment to the community by participating in other volunteer or community work.

The Award honoured the late Ted Rix, Amelia’s father, which included a heartfelt tribute from Ted’s nephew, Andrew Rix, and a moment’s silence. Ted’s support over the years with the Amelia Rix Award has been appreciated and he will be missed.

There were eight nominees for the 2024 Amelia Rix Award – Samantha Campbell, Nives Canevese, Tanisha Chilcott, Chloe, Mitchell Donaldson, Alan Humphry, Megan Sadler and Dana Thiele.

Half of the nominees came from rural regions of SA, i.e. The Riverland, Port Augusta, Whyalla and Murray Bridge. The nominees are employed in a variety of fields, including art therapy, youth work, food preparation, packing, retail, farm irrigation and customer service. Their regular community work includes volunteering at the Cancer Council, mentoring hospitality students, caring for zoo animals, working at a local small theatre, and supporting both older adults and primary school children.

We congratulate the Winner of the 2024 Amelia Rix Award, who received $1,200 – Samantha Campbell (Warradale), the Runner Up, who received $600 – Megan Sadler (Adelaide), recipient of the 3^rd prize, who received $300 – Mitchell Donaldson (Riverland) and all other nominees who received Encouragement Awards of $100 each.

Freddie Brincat (OAM), Founder and Executive Director said “It’s a magical night to acknowledge the nominees’ hard work, commitment and loyalty to their employers. Their success is our success, and it is important to encourage more people to live their dreams and their own life independently. All nominees from the past have gone on to continue to make a positive contribution to their employers and communities. All each person needed, was a start from others who could see their potential and who think more inclusively, after all the customers we serve are not all the same. It is good to see businesses embracing the skills and positivity employees with a disability bring to their businesses and this is what the Award celebrates.”

All nominees were provided with personalised fitted blazers from sponsor Beg Your Pardon or had their makeup done at Mecca Rundle Mall. Entertainment was provided by Greek band Floga.