News

2018 Achievement Awards

access_time14min read

Meet the amazing award winners!

Our kids achieve amazing things every day and we take enormous pride in celebrating their outstanding success.

Each year, we present a number of our Novita kids and young people with awards to acknowledge their extraordinary achievements.

Haniyeh and Hediyeh

Communication Achievement Award

The Communication Achievement Award, sponsored by Novita member and past Board member Dr Deborah James, acknowledges Novita kids who have overcome considerable personal or environmental barriers to make significant progress in their communication, which has led to greater community participation and the creation of new circles of communication partners.

This year, Haniyeh and Hediyeh have worked exceptionally hard to learn their new communication systems, to build both their physical and communication skills.

The sisters live with cerebral palsy and their therapist nominated them for this award, not only in recognition of their perseverance in communication but also for the love and care they show to each other and to their family and friends.

Congratulations, Haniyeh and Hediyeh!

Jacob

President's Achievement Award

The President’s Achievement Award is presented to a person who lives with physical disability and has made outstanding progress in their rehabilitation.

Jacob has wowed the team here at Novita by working hard and building up his confidence to get back up on his feet after an accident that broke both his legs.

The last 6 months, in particular, have been the culmination of years of hard work and positivity from Jacob. Jacob lives with intellectual disability and autism and has learned to walk again after an accident in 2013.

Congratulations, Jacob!

Louise

Wallmans Lawyers Academic Achievement Award

The Wallmans Lawyers Academic Achievement Award recognises the consistent academic excellence of a Novita customer over the age of 10.

Louise is a role model for her peers, with her commitment and drive resulting in some great success towards her studies and passions. Louise completed Year 12 last year and achieved her goal of being accepted into Flinders University to study social work.

Louise has also completed a Level 1 Sports Trainers certificate which has enabled her to work as a trainer and team manager and is passionate about making football inclusive and more accessible for everyone.

Congratulations, Louise!

Henry

Tyndale Youth Transition Achievement Award

The recipient of the 2018 Tyndale Youth Transition Achievement Award is Henry! When Henry finished high school in 2011 he received the Caltex Best All-rounder Award, and the Long Tan Leadership and Teamwork Year 12 Awards at his school.

Now 25, Henry has completed a journalism degree at UniSA and recently commenced a Social Sciences degree at Adelaide University. He’s also spent two years on the State Government’s Ministerial Youth Council, and as a volunteer and committee member with Amnesty International.

On top of all of this, Henry is currently ranked 61 in the world in Wheelchair Tennis! Since 2006, he has travelled to 17 countries, competing in over 45 international and 100 local tournaments, and is now aiming for Paralympic games.

Congratulations, Henry!

Mollie

Carol Dibben Encouragement Award

The Carol Dibben Encouragement Award is presented in memory of Carol Dibben, a former client and long-term employee of Novita, to recognise a senior student who has worked diligently to achieve their personal goals.

In just six short months, Mollie has made outstanding progress with her verbal communication skills. Living with cerebral palsy affects Mollie’s speech, but she has excelled with the support of the new app. Mollie is now verbalising complete sentences, asking questions and practising these skills socially.

Congratulations, Mollie!

Dylan

Margory Head Achievement Award

The Margory Head Achievement Award acknowledges a regional Novita teen aged-12 to 18, who has overcome significant challenges to be able to achieve their personal goals in order to participate fully in their community.

Fourteen-year-old Dylan from Broken Hill has been working consistently on his communication skills and has shown great initiative and dedication. His goals have been to develop his skills to a degree that he can participate in events, which he has achieved, and Dylan is taking the opportunities to practise these skills at home, in the classroom, and at Robot Club.

Congratulations, Dylan!

Ella

Graham Nancarrow Achievement Award

The Graham Nancarrow Achievement award is presented to a Novita kid aged five to ten, who has worked to develop a specific new skill.

Nine-year-old Ella has been working very hard on her writing skills. Recently, she not only achieved her goal of entering a Book Week story writing competition, but she also won a prize!

Living with dyspraxia makes coordinating some physical movements and speech difficult for Ella, so she was determined to improve her skills and challenged herself to enter the story competition. And her hard work paid off – not only did Ella enter the competition but she also won a prize! What an achievement!

Congratulations, Ella!

Isabella

Minister's Community Achievement Award

The Minister’s Community Achievement Award is presented to an outstanding Novita ‘all-rounder’ who has demonstrated a commitment to personal independence and taking part in community activities.

Isabella is a talented sportsperson and has taken part in many community competitions and sporting events in which she excels, including Weetbix TRYathlons and competitive swimming.

Isabella has broken state and national records in the pool. She’s an all-round sports star and has demonstrated resilience, independence and dedication in the pursuits of her goals.

Congratulations, Isabella!

Tobias

Michael Wooley Recreational and Sporting Achievement Award

The Michael Wooley Recreational and Sporting Achievement Award acknowledges a Novita client of any age who has shown determination to achieve in a sporting or recreational capacity.

Tobias’s talents in wheelchair basketball have seen him scouted to attend the Australia Development Camp in Canberra next year, where he will train with professionals.

After only 6 months of playing wheelchair basketball, Tobias was chosen to be part of the team representing South Australia in the Under-23s Kevin Coombs Cup, and his team finished just 9 points short of the bronze medal.

Congratulations, Tobias!