Amelia Rix
Award
HISTORY
The CBS Inc. Amelia Rix Award was established in 2003 by the Founder and Executive Director of Community Bridging Services (CBS) Inc., Freddie Brincat OAM, to commemorate the courage and determination of former Jobnet client Amelia Rix in her efforts to secure employment. This achievement was far from easy for Amelia, and involved a number of years of pre-employment training and work experience placements before she eventually found regular paid employment as a car yard attendant. Amelia sadly passed away in February 2003.
“I became involved in supporting Amelia through community recreation and other life experiences in around 1992, when she was about 14 years old. Her positive attitude and love of life and people was a reflection of her parents (the late Barbara Rix OAM and Ted Rix). Over this time other staff worked closely with Amelia. Out of the sad and hurtful experience of Amelia’s passing, Barb found a way to make good, by establishing this Award dedicated to Amelia’s memory, to help other people to be happier by recognising their strengths and successes. ”
Freddie Brincat OAM

CELEBRATING SUCCESS – 19 YEARS OF AMELIA RIX AWARD WINNERS
The 19th CBS Inc. Amelia Rix Award was held on 23/11/22 at the Sanctuary Adelaide Zoo. It was another successful Award ceremony, recognising and acknowledging people who had achieved their goals through determination and perseverance. There were around 130 people in attendance.
Christopher O’Connor, a client of the CBS Inc. Elizabeth office emceed the event and Freddie Brincat OAM, Executive Director and Founder of CBS Inc., gave some history on the Amelia Rix Award, including personal anecdotes of Amelia.
There were eight nominees for the 2022 Amelia Rix Award – Huon Hammet-Wrigley, Jamie Kellow, John (Lachie) Crossley, Sean Deakin, Simon Brown, Stephen Little, Tess Fairall and Zac Colton. 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 The Riverland, Port Augusta, Port Pirie, Whyalla, and Berri. The nominees are employed in a variety of fields, including content developers, administration, machinist, café supervisor and vehicle detailing.
Their regular community work ranges from a community radio host and fundraiser, canteen manager, showroom presenter & detailer for both cars and boats and a National Youth Ambassador for Headspace.
This year’s winner was Sean Deakin from Whyalla. In achieving this award Sean shared, “I was completely shocked. I really don’t see the volunteer work I do in radio sponsorship and running the Council and Community show every week as award worthy because I love doing it. I’m so grateful for the opportunity that Dave Bruce, Ross Campbell and Jarrod Starkey (from Whyalla Hose & Fittings) have given me. I can’t repay what Tricia Gerahty from CBS Inc. has done for me with her give it a go attitude. CBS Inc. don’t treat you like a client. You actually feel like family. Also, a big thank you to the rest of the staff at CBS Inc. Whyalla, Freddie and all the people who sponsor the Amelia Rix Award. I think I will use the prize money to learn extra skills or buy tools.”
Tricia, Sean’s Employment Officer at CBS Inc. said “Sean has worked so hard over the last two or so years. Sean has shown that he has the resilience and determination to break down his barriers and achieve the goals he sets himself. An asset to any employer and a great member of the Whyalla Community.”
Sean’s employer at Whyalla Hose & Fittings added, “With Sean winning this award, it will enable him to be a role model and mentor to others who face the same adversity. It’s with great thanks to CBS Inc., in particular Tricia, who provided Sean the support he required to transition back into employment.”
Freddie Brincat (OAM) CBS Inc. Founder and Executive Director said “All nominees represent the desire to work, have friendships and build families and careers. So often their talents and skills are overlooked, but not at CBS Inc. This Award recognises and promotes the many positive contributions people with a disability provide workplaces and communities. Such nominees I expect will be community leaders in the future.”
All male nominees were provided with personalised fitted blazers from sponsor Beg Your Pardon and female nominees had their makeup done at Mecca Rundle Mall. Entertainment was provided by Robert and Dido of Les Gitans Blancs.

Winner Sean Deakin with CBS Inc. Founder and Executive Director, Freddie Brincat OAM and Amelia Rix Award committee member, Caroline Manetta.

Runner up Jamie Kellow with CBS Inc. Founder and Executive Director, Freddie Brincat OAM and Amelia Rix Award committee member, Caroline Manetta.
Anyone wishing to donate to the Amelia Rix Award, to help keep it going, can do so via the PayPal link or contact Chloe Phillips on 8224 2900.
Gold Sponsors

The Growing Space

Toyota Fleet Management / North Point Toyota
Silver Sponsors

John Rejack
Bronze Sponsors

ReadyTech

CFA Finance

Bronwyn Schoen
Schoen People Solutions

Vanessa Launer
Connected Self

No Strings Attached

Wipe Clean

Possible Consulting

Romeo’s Group

Mayor Claire Boan

Penny McCann
(Education in Law Pty Ltd)
Past Winners
2003
Ryan Blashchek (inaugural winner)
Mid North
2004
George Bambacas and Shane Bogna
Adelaide Metro
2005
Hope Hedger
Murray Bridge
2006
Gavin Oatway
Adelaide Metro
2007
Michael Vardaro
Riverland
2008
Lukasz Wojniak and Emma Hesketh
Adelaide Metro
2009
Con Kourtis
Riverland
2010
Robert Smith
Adelaide Metro
Runner-Up– David Palmer
Adelaide Metro
2011
Ben Cregan
Riverland
Runner-Up– Jordan Palmer
Adelaide Metro
2012
Krystal Petherick
Riverland
Runner-Up– Paula Denton
Riverland
2013
Benjamin Eichler
Murray Bridge
Runner-Up– Damien Carpenter
Mid North
2014
Alyx Mitchell
Riverland
Runner-Up– Graeme Docking
Murray Bridge
2015
Sarah Bown
Adelaide Metro
Runner-Up– Jesse
Adelaide Metro
2016
Josh Richards
Adelaide Metro
Runner-Up– Iris
Riverland
2017
Tom Pride
Northern Adelaide
Runner-Up– Tia Halakas
Berri
2018
Michael Nettle
Western Adelaide
Runner-Up– Zoe Michalanney
Southern Adelaide
2019
Nigel Kraft
Eastern Adelaide
Runners-Up– Nigel Favorito and Lisa Hutchinson
Western Adelaide and Port Augusta
2020
Rebekah O’Brien
Northern Adelaide
Runner-Up– Samuel Button
Eastern Adelaide
2021
Sean Langdon
Port Augusta
Runner-Up– Felicity Vardon
Eastern Adelaide