Rick Hansen Difference Maker Award

Mr Ian Chill, Cairns Regional Council’s Access and Equity officer, received the Rick Hansen Difference Maker Award at the annual Spinal Injuries Association's Inclusive Community Champions (ICC) Awards held in Brisbane on Tuesday March 15.

The Rick Hansen Foundation's Difference Makers program aims to recognise individuals on the international scale who have made a contribution towards a more accessible and inclusive world.  Rick Hansen is a Canadian icon, Paralympic athlete and philanthropist. In 1985-87 he wheeled more than 40,000 kilometres around the world through 34 countries on his 1985-87 Man In Motion World Tour to raise awareness of the potential of people with disabilities.

When receiving his award, Mr Chill said he would continue to promote disability awareness through Council’s inclusion project by highlighting people’s abilities, not disabilities.

visitors alike.”

Mr Chill and Council were also recently recognised by the Australian Federal Government with the 2010 National Disability Award for the creation and design of the "See the Real Me" advertising campaign.