FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NITV PRESENTER MATTY WEBB TO HOST 2019 HONOUR AWARDS
Award-winning TV presenter Matty Webb will lead this year’s Honour Awards, hosting NSW’s longest-running awards night celebrating the LGBTIQ community. He will be joined by artists Eric Avery and Graham Davis King, along with a host of presenters comprising community icons, entertainers and political figures.
The Honour Awards celebrates outstanding service to, and achievements within, NSW’s LGBTIQ community. Now in its 13th year, the awards is also a gala fundraising event for ACON, NSW’s leading organisation for community health, inclusion and HIV responses for people of diverse sexualities and genders.
A diverse mix of 32 finalists across nine categories covering the arts, media, HIV, health, visual arts, business, youth and community sectors, as well as the recipients of the ACON President’s Awards, will be celebrated by over 300 guests at the inspirational awards ceremony and fabulous cocktail party to be held at the Ivy Ballroom in Sydney on Wednesday 2 October.
View the full list of 2019 Honour Awards finalists
One of Australia’s rising media identities, Matty Webb has grown to be a face of the Indigenous media landscape, hosting major red carpet events, including the ARIAS and the Dreamtime Awards. The Deadly Award winner and advocate for Indigenous LGBTIQ people has also hosted the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras for NITV.
“I’m thrilled to be hosting this year’s Honour Awards, recognising NSW’s LGBTIQ unsung heroes, community champions and allies,” Matty said. “It’s a night to celebrate all the tireless efforts of the people and businesses striving to make a difference in our community, and that’s something we should all be proud of.”
Taking to the stage to perform is Eric Avery and Graham Davis King. Eric Avery is a Ngiyampaa, Yuin, Bandjalang and Gumbangirr man who incorporates playing the violin, dancing, singing and music composure into his artistry. Working with his family’s custodial songs, Avery seeks to revive and continue on the tradition of singing in language, and combines his skills on the violin to combine classical music and create new contemporary music expressing his Koori heritage.
Eric will be performing alongside his father, Graham Davis King, who is a Wiradjuri and Ngiyampaa cultural worker, activist and award-winning artist. Graham has been sharing culture through broadcast media, writing, dance and storytelling for over 20 years.
Among this year’s award presenters are journalist and presenter Patrick Abboud, comedian Mark Trevorrow, politicians Trevor Khan, Mehreen Faruqi, Penny Sharpe and Don Harwin, St Vincent’s Hospital CEO Anthony Schembri, and more.
Also on the line-up is Candy Box, one of Sydney’s best loved drag icons, who will be welcoming guests as the host of the Honour Awards Red Carpet, and local DJ Kate Monroe, who will be serving up her signature party sounds.
Guests will also be able to bid on a range of amazing silent auction items including luxury holidays, jewellery, art, furniture, homewares, and 5-star dining, accommodation and entertainment packages.
“I’m excited about our line-up of presenters and performers at this year’s Honour Awards, showcasing the wonderful diversity of our communities,” said ACON CEO Nicolas Parkhill.
“We’re grateful to all of them for helping us showcase the many achievements and contributions of LGBTI people across NSW and Australia.
“The Honour Awards is a wonderful event and I encourage everyone to come along and be part of this celebration of our communities.”
