Brite celebrated its inaugural Brite Awards Night, a ground-breaking event dedicated to honouring the extraordinary achievements of people with disability in the workforce. This evening of inspiration, glamour, and camaraderie set the stage for what Brite hopes will become an annual tradition, showcasing the resilience, hard work, and positive impact made by our employees, partners, and community supporters.
Held in a semi-formal setting, the night welcomed 220 attendees, including Brite employees, partners, sponsors, and supporters, marking a milestone in our organisation’s commitment to building an inclusive and empowering community.
As the night unfolded, Brite shone a spotlight on the impressive accomplishments of its award recipients, recognising their commitment, innovation, and dedication to making a difference in the workplace and beyond. The evening included a lively performance by the Brite Choir, a delicious three-course meal, and music by DJ Owen, setting the perfect atmosphere for a memorable evening. This wonderful event celebrated the unique achievements of each winner while fostering a sense of unity and belonging within the Brite community.
Honouring the Stars of Brite: Award Winners
The awards were the heart of the evening, celebrating employees, staff, and community partners who have played pivotal roles in fostering inclusivity and success within Brite. Below is the full list of award recipients:
Employee Awards
- Marvel Slabs Peer Recognition Award: Keith Goggin
- Student of the Year Award: Aleisha Sinikovski
- Employee of the Year Award: Hien Nguyen, Erdinc Uzelpostaci
- Brite Starter Award (Outstanding New Employee): Kono Raqitawa
Community Awards
- Brite Outstanding Commercial Partner Award: Level Beverages
- Brite Community Award: Hume City Council SEED Program
Staff Awards
- Brite Values Inclusion Award: Owen Miller
- Brite Values Integrity Award: Linda Hampton
- Brite Values Innovation Award: Matt Whiting
- Brite Values Empowerment Award: Nathan Barry
- Brite Values Engagement Award: Jody Davidson
Years of Service Awards
It was an honour to celebrate the incredible dedication of several Brite team members, with notable mentions for 45 years of service by Peter Neave and Robert Dunn, a testament to their unwavering commitment to Brite’s mission. Other celebrated milestones included Maria Piacquaddio (40 years) and Gaetano Larosa (35 years), along with many others who have contributed immensely to Brite over the years.
A Night to Remember: Highlights and Reflections
Brite Awards Night 2024 was a night filled with laughter, heartfelt speeches, and moments that reinforced the power of inclusivity and the value of giving everyone an equal opportunity to shine. The evening featured memorable performances by the Brite Choir, lead by Nathan Barry, including renditions of Stand By Me, Three Little Birds, and Mamma Mia, setting an uplifting and joyous tone for the night. The charismatic MC, Scott Kilmartin, brought humour and warmth to the proceedings, keeping the audience engaged and entertained.
The evening culminated in a high-energy DJ set, inviting everyone onto the dance floor to celebrate the achievements of Brite’s awardees and the collective success of an inclusive community that Brite has cultivated over the years.
Acknowledgement to Sponsors
None of it would have been possible without the support of our fantastic sponsors, especially Melbourne Airport and Marvel Slabs, whose outstanding contributions took the event to new heights.
Along with the generous support from Carra Property, Hume City Council, North LINK, Level Beverages, Rothfield, PN Digital, Western Mitsubishi, Aven Solutions, Eastern Star, KoKo Black, and Flexi Garden Frames.
Moving Forward Together
The Brite Awards Night 2024 set a powerful precedent, and Brite is thrilled to continue this celebration annually, growing in scale and reach as more individuals and partners join the mission of creating meaningful employment for people with disability. Brite extends its heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended, supported, and made this night possible, with special appreciation for our community sponsors for their support in capturing this unforgettable event.
Congratulations once again to all the winners and thank you to everyone who contributed to making the first Brite Awards Night a resounding success. We look forward to seeing even more inspiring achievements in the years to come.
