The only person to win reality TV show Big Brother twice, Reggie Bird, was in Toowoomba recently to launch the Business disability Awards of Australia, Toowoomba & Darling Downs for 2022.
Bird, who was diagnosed with the degenerative eye disease retinitis pigmentosa and is now legally blind, won Big Brother in 2003 and 2022.
Awards co-founder Paul Wilson said having Reggie attend the launch and tell her story was well received by the Toowoomba community, with Mayor Paul Antonio in a Facebook post stating: ‘Let’s bring the delightful Reggie our way. She is an absolute inspiration and would make a wonderful Toowoomba Local’.
The awards will be held on September 15 at Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport. DJ and business entrepreneur Tom Nash, who had his legs and arms amputated at age 19 from contracting meningococcal septicaemia, will be keynote speaker.
“Tom’s unique talent for captivating people with his personal story, his dark sense of humour and his incredible wit are fused into grounded philosophies for life that he offers up to audiences. Inevitably they walk away entertained, inspired and deep in thought about their own approach to life and the universe,” Wilson said.
Wilson told F2L there were plans to hold a Brisbane event a couple of years ago, but Covid put it on hold. “Part of our five-year strategy includes Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, but our focus is on Toowoomba at the moment, although absolutely we intend to extend the awards.”
There are 10 award categories including Awards for Social Inclusion; Outstanding Employer, Employee and Volunteer; Innovation & Access; Education & Training; Indigenous Champion; Business Engagement; the Elissa Flanagan ‘Aim High’ Scholarship and Judy Antonio Memorial Award.
Nominations are open until August 27. Tickets can be purchased at www.tbda.net.au
Image: Award founders David Wallis, Paul Wilson and Kim Stokes with Reggie Bird (centre).