We
Won An Award!
Elly
Inta
ref:
October 99 Heroinsight
ON
SATURDAY 14 August 1999, four members of Family
Drug Support attended the inaugural Ted Noffs Drug
and Alcohol awards, held in the Bondi Room of the
Eastern Suburbs Leagues Club and sponsored by NSW
Health.
I
was fortunate to be one quarter of Mr Tony Trimingham's
cheer squad: our very own mentor nominated for an
award in the category of Outstanding Contribution
by an Individual, and FDS nominated in the Outstanding
Contribution by an Organisation category.
Not
knowing what to expect (an event presenting drug
awards?) I donned my sparkley arkleys and tottered
in my stilettos to the Oscars of the Drug World.
No flashing press cameras noted the grand entrance
of Mr Trimingham and entourage but we were greeted
effusively by Mr Wesley Noffs and his wife, Mandy,
and many other familiar faces.
Over
200 people buzzed happily, mingling and munching
on tasty canapes, before being called to order and
a sit-down, two-course dinner, delicious nourishment
accompanied by the jazz funk band, Grover.
I
cast my eyes round the room and mused how splendid
it was that such a diverse group of people had congregated
for a common purpose, united in the genuinely altruistic
activity of helping people suffering from addiction
to drugs and alcohol.
The
awards were being held on the anniversary of Ted
Noff's birthday, to acknowledge exceptional work
being done by individuals and organisations in the
field, and to promote higher standards in drug and
alcohol work.
Sandra
Sully, from Channel 10, hosted the evening and the
awards were presented by selected guests. Robert
Griew, CEO of the AIDS Council of NSW, was in his
element, using the event to practise for his call
to the LA Academy when he announced the award for
Best Actress. (Sadly, he did not pursue those nominations
and I missed out once again.)
The
recipients of awards were:
Excellence
in Adult Treatment: Central Coast Health Service
Adult
Treatment: Special commendations went to Kirketon
Road Centre and Freeman House
Excellence
in Youth Specific Treatment: Manly Drug Education
Counselling Centre
Excellence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Service: Wellington Aboriginal Corporation
Excellence
in Prevention Program: The Block (REPIDU)
Outstanding
Contribution by an Organisation: Wellington Aboriginal
Corporation
Outstanding
Contribution by an Individual: Sandra Sunjic, Clinical
Nurse Consultant, South Western Sydney Area Health
Service
The
FDS flag-wavers clapped long and loud. To be included
in this illustrious group was an honour, made even
more chest-swelling by the Ted Noffs Foundation
awarding FDS with a special Eminent Organisation
Award.
It
was a night of special camaraderie, of warm sincerity
devoid of egotistical posturing.
The
award recipients were worthy toilers whose labours
were being acknowledged by their peers. The winners
were every individual in that room representing
various groups that have made a difference by putting
their energies where their mouths are.
As
Wesley Noffs said, `Dad would have been extremely
proud . . . '
A
big thank you to the Ted Noffs Foundation. And a
message you had better not forget to invite us again
next year. I have lay-byed a dress already.
