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Lorin Nicholson honoured for community service at state awards
15 September 2009
Lorin Nicholson
The Minister for Disability Services and Multicultural Affairs in Queensland, The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk honoured Brisbane's Lorin Nicholson for improving the quality of life for people with a disability at a disability action award ceremony in Brisbane on 15 September.
Lorin was presented with the Individual Community Services Award at Queensland's Disability Action Week Awards 2009 for his volunteer work with Vision Australia and as an advocate for people with a disability.
Ms Palaszczuk said the awards acknowledged individuals and organisations who were making a real difference for Queenslanders with a disability, their families and carers.
"Over many years, Lorin Nicholson has given so much back to the community through his volunteer work, even though Lorin was declared legally blind at the age of four after being born with retinitis pigmentosa," Ms Palaszczuk said.
"Lorin's vision impairment has not stopped him from completing fundraising challenges for Vision Australia, such as his tandem bike ride across the Great Dividing Range in 2007, which raise funds, generate significant interest and support from the general community and raise awareness about the issues people with a vision impairment face.
"As an accomplished musician, through his See Sharp presentations in schools, Lorin combines musical entertainment and practical demonstrations to teach respect, acceptance of differences and building on your personal strengths, tackling such important issues as bullying and peer pressure."
Lorin also dedicated his time as a performer at Vision Australia's Carols by Candlelight 2008.
Twelve individuals and organisations from across Queensland were presented with awards in six categories at this year's ceremony.
"Disability Action Week helps to create greater awareness about the challenges faced by people with a disability everyday, as well as the positive achievements and contribution people with a disability make in enriching their communities and Queensland, " said Ms Palaszczuk .