The Amelia Rix Award celebrates the successes of people with a disability in open employment and volunteering, acknowledging their achievements through 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 Disability Employment Program. CBS Inc. and Barb Rix OAM established the Award in 2003 in memory of Amelia, after Amelia’s sudden and unexpected passing. The Award supports 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 eight nominees for the 2023 Award were Duncan Bainbridge, Darcy Redding, Adrian Wright, Myrtle Deer, Amanda Laube, Lucy Redden, Chris O’Connor and Teagan Crawley. The winner of the Award received $1,000 and the runner up $400. Encouragement Awards were also presented to all other nominees.

Five of this year’s nominees live and work in rural regions of SA, including Port Lincoln, Murray Bridge, Whyalla, and Port Augusta. The nominees are employed in a variety of fields, including retail customer service, concierge, support work, manufacturing, cleaning and hospitality.

Their regular community work ranges from mentoring people with brain injury, public speaking and advocacy, volunteering in local sport teams, at church or the local speedway.

This year’s winner was Duncan Bainbridge from Adelaide. Duncan was recognised for his work as a Concierge Officer with the CBS Inc. Social Enterprise business, Community Concierge SA (CCSA). Duncan works across the impressive Grenfell St and Flinders St buildings, providing a high standard of service to tenants and members of the public.

Duncan works actively in the community, determined to improve the lives of people facing inequality and injustice.

This includes Duncan being on the Board of Lived Experience Leadership and Advocacy Network (LELAN), being the Media Advisor and Spokesperson for the Anti-Poverty Network SA, and a volunteer of the Housing SA Lived Experience Reference Group or (LERG). Duncan provides assistance in managing LERG, which includes addressing State Government policy on homelessness.

On his Award win, Duncan shared “…It is such an important Award, not only to me, but to CBS Inc. and my team. I am particularly grateful for the recognition of my work because I appreciate that every other nominee for this Award was as capable if not more, of winning this Award.

Over the past few years, my journey has not been easy, I have faced some rather significant challenges, but each one has made me realise that you really need to want to change.

Wanting to change has made me the person I am today.

My fortitude and the determination to adapt and overcome, coupled with the inspiration I have received from my loved ones, friends and colleagues has allowed me to regain my self-confidence and most importantly my sense of self-worth.”

Freddie Brincat OAM, Founder and Executive Director of CBS Inc. shared, “It was a great night. The Award acknowledges the fact that people with a disability have much talent, skills and potential not just at work, but also to making local communities a better place to live. I am now seeing other employers understanding this and opening their offices and recruitment practices to people with greater diversity, thus mirroring the diversity we have in our communities.”

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 Les Gitans Blancs.