THIS PROGRAMME WILL BE CAPTIONED LIVE. WE APOLOGISE FOR THE LACK OF CAPTIONS FOR SOME ITEMS. BRIGHT MUSIC CHEERING PAUL FITZGERALD'S 'LONG WHITE CLOUD' # Long white cloud. # Your child I'll be. # I'll never be walking alone. # Tall and proud, # so wild and free, # be with me wherever I roam. # I know you're there. # You're watching me. # You show the way # but leave me free. # You stand aside # when all my pride you see. # Long white cloud. # Your child I'll be. # I'll never be walking alone. # Tall and proud, # so wild and free, # Long white cloud. # Long white cloud. # Aotearoa. # Long white cloud. # Your child I'll be. # a light guiding me home. # guiding me home. How good was that? Worldwide premiere at the Attitude Awards 2015. Welcome to a finalists, families and friends and sponsors and everybody at home. That song is long white cloud, produce for world disability day. In the tradition of all great initiatives led by the attitude group, that was a collaboration. As always, we have a busy night ahead. 24 finalists across 8 awards. Right now, would you please Welcome my co-host Lilli Harper. I'd like to say I hope you have a wonderful day and a wonderful night. It's time for the children's award. Our first award. The junior award. Presenting the junior award is Paula Thompson. It is an honour and privilege to be here tonight. Family values are at the very heart of our company, just like the Attitude Awards. As a family, we applaud success and achievement. Tonight, we celebrate the wonderful triumphs of some truly inspiring people. It's great to be here amongst such esteemed company. I'd like to congratulate all of thefinalists and nominees. It's great to see the work you are doing amongst community and just living a normal life even though you have a disability. With respect to this award, I'd like to just congratulate the finalists and just say how awesome it is to see such young people with such awesome attitudes towards life. And with that being said, the finalists are... Nicholas Brocklebank is experienced fundraiser. He has raised over $10,000. I know other people out there are worse than me. This latest campaign saw nic jumping on a bike. When he started, he couldn't ride more than a kilometre due to fatigue. In his six years, Dukie King has faced many challenges. It takes courage for him to go out his community. Sometimes other kids are just mean. Burned on 75% of his body after a car fire, he has undergone dozens of surgeries. Starting school this year meant entering a whole new world. Going beyond his familiar world of home, marae and home is his biggest challenge. Whatever is happening around us, he'll get stuck into it. He is determined to live life normally. If I've had a bad day, I tell my parents what happened and then I just forget about it. And I hope the next day I have a good day. Maija Fredrichberg was born with the debilitating spinal atrophy. If he had a good imagination, I guess you can do anything your stories. A school, she has achieved awards. My goal is to be a pop star. Aand the winner of the attitude Jr award as Nicholas Brocklebank. APPLAUSE I'd just like to say thank you to everyone who made this possible. I really did not think this would happen tonight. Thanks to attitude the celebrating people with disability and what they achieve. Thank you. Congratulations to all our finalists. The youth award. Pam Sharp and an former youth supreme winner Robbie Francis. On behalf of the Wayne Francis charitable trust in Christchurch, at our pleasure to be involved in these awards. Tonight a celebratory inspiring young people and their commitment to our society to make this a better place. You are all amazing. You have demonstrated that you are incredibly selfless in how you spend your time, especially how you work with young people to ensure all our young citizens you are making a difference and we salute you. Six years ago, I had the great privilege of being awarded the 2009 attitude youth award. This would become a defining moment in my journey. These three young woman have asked themselves 'how can I make the world a safer and more inclusive place for all people, regardless of disability or ability? These are our future leaders. The finalists are. Catherine McBride makes Wellington and even more interesting place through her acting, dancing and performing. She has currently a member of JDK ` a hip-hop dance group that aims to challenge people's perception of disability through dance. I think you are really good at helping people. She is a member of being activists. Really hard to cross the road. She helps the sort and distribute food to different charities and need. Rachel Berry has for the rights of deaf youth. At 18, she moved to Auckland to work for Deaf Aotearoa. Now she is studying for bachelors degree. Now that I have grown and have deaf awareness, I know where I fit. This year, the 20-year-old represented New Zealand at the world Federation of the deaf youth camp Turkey. Confidence 15-year-old Muskan Devta is the youngest New Zealander to deliver a Ted X speech. She was 10 years all the family moved to New Zealand. Living with hemiplegia and vision impairments, she needed to be resilient. I wasn't happy when I was young. I realise that interacting with people, I got to be myself. Jesus stories to help people struggling. She donated the 2 � thousand dollars raised from her book to the starship Children's Hospital. She funded students to have breakfast for a term. And the winner of the attitude youth award is Muskan Devta hi. I am very humbled and privileged to be standing here again tonight. I would like to thank all the people they have made this possible ` my friends, family, my awesome school ` Westlake girls high school. And my brother ` a special mention to him for being my backbone, the guy who's dancing. Thank you. Here to entertain you, special Olympian Samuel Jones and Jonathan Usher. Tell us your story. I got a call after last year's awards asking about willing to teach sam magic. Ladies and gentlemen, Sam is going to try and do something amazing. That balloon he was holding he's going to to swallow it in one go. When he swallows the balloon, I want you to start clapping. Do you want to show them some balloon modelling? Let's go. Round of applause for Sam. APPLAUSE this is it. It's working. He's getting it. Applause awesome, Sam. Cheering how was that? Thanks for your help. Another round of applause for Jonathan and Sam. And this award is to a person who unselfishly thinks of others, someone making a difference in the community while living with their own challenges. Sponsoring and making a difference award as the Ministry of health. Katrina establish a catwalk spinal injury trust. Evening. The Ministry of health is proud to sponsor this award in my eyes, doing things is far more important than having things. And when you add doing things with others, you have an exceptional individual. Tonight's finalists are" when you are raising a young family, he often had to put your own interests on hold. Brett Roscoe decided his whole family should become involved in his passion. He has given 30 years of supporting Special Olympics. He started when he was 13. He still be every weekend, running coaching sessions, and his kids volunteer too., I get great friends, relationships with the athletes and my family and other coaches. He is the tireless fundraiser for Special Olympics it is one word that drives Rachel Callander's photography, its pride. My main focus is to capture the personality. Rachel has Taken hundreds of photos of people with disability. She has delivered a TedX Talk. Rachel's own daughter was born with a rear genetic condition. Evie was two years old when she passed away, I'm so proud of her. kids who play together stay together. She has maintained a wide range of camps and other school programs, sticking to a policy that all children are welcome regardless of disability. I want to see kids in the community being social, smiles, making friendships. She now helps young people to go flattering. She uses her own home as a halfway house. Everybody has The right to have goals, passion, a flat. Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of the making of different award for 2015 is Rachel Callander applause this is just the most incredible honour. And just looking around the room, I don't see disability, I just use a much potential and total awesomeness. This is our daughter Evie's legacy. That song made us cry so much. There is such a community of supporters celebrate potential. We are so honoured to be here. Thank you. Courage in sport award. Westpac is proud of our support for theAttitude Awards. The stories of the incredible finalists tonight are a reminder of what we can achieve if we had the courage to dream. Tonight is the night of real celebration on a night when we recognise the courage of people who embrace life with all its challenges, with energy and enthusiasm and commitment. And finalists are: getting on the court is pretty exciting. Going out there. Play against other countries as well. Four years ago, this was Cody Everson, 15 years old and newly disabled after a school rugby injury. Today Cody is a talented member of the New Zealand Wheel Blacks. He has represented New Zealand internationally. Life isn't over when you have an accident. It's more the beginning. I haven't let that stop me. Otis Horne has a strong sense of adventure. He said a sailing at the age of 13, and within months was sailing solo. My fear was getting in water. Sailing is part of trying to conquer their fear. I went sailing from Wellington to Nelson. On the 10th day, I skippered the boat into Nelson and found out my leg was broken. Selwyn Jensen is a classic Kiwi bloke and was a champion shearer before a car accident left him a tetraplegic. I enjoy the speed, and I'm in charge of myself and the challenge. I like to keep up with myself and other cyclists. Initially he took up wheelchair rugby. These days, hand cycling is this passion. My life motto is a shove as much in while you're here. And the winner is Otis Horne. I'd just like to say thank you to my parents. The Kenners ` Mike and Katie. My friends that are watching on the live stream. All the friends, family and supporters that I have met over the years. Congratulations. If you ask anyone what they expect out of life, a job is a top priority. Jobseekers with a disability face challenges more than most. We are now looking at employers who offer opportunities rather than obstacles. A woman who was a personal inspiration will be presenting. Would you please welcome my colleague Susan Wood. Cheering and he is right, I do have a special relationship with ACC. What an amazing crowd here tonight. I'm so proud to be here. I was going to tell you a story about my year this year. But I don't want to get down on me as I am talking, I fell down some stairs, and I had to learn to talk and walk again. I had to let my sons names again. The amazing thing is through that which happened on January, I had come out the other side. Ladies and gentlemen, we all have potential, a potential needs opportunity. Employers play a crucial role in this . As employers we can create those opportunities for people with disabilities to realise that potential that they all have. These are the finalist that set the example. When the hotel managertook over the CQ Hotel, he decided to shake things up. In France 20% of people working should have a disability. Tonight we have 100 rooms booked. The are to deaf waiting staff and a deaf housekeeper. All the hotel staff have been trained in NZ sign language. We are the first ever restaurant in NZ to provide a menu with sign language. Diversity has long been on the ANZ agenda. They have introduced practical strategies to make the organisation more attractive to people disabilities. As a large bank and employer, we are servicing the community. We want to start to reflect what the community look like. 600 of the staff are men and women with impairment. This is a company that pulls together. They are a pest management and bio security company. They put disability to the side when they seek new workers in the Hawke's Bay. People just see that I lost part of my arm. They gave me the opportunity to prove myself. Dyslexia has made it hard for Callan to find work. They have been understanding. He now has a greater sense of self-worth. They now have a smile on their face. Congratulations to all of you. In particular to Olivier for CQ Hotels Wellington. Applause thank you very much. I am very humbled. I would like to thank ACC. And many many more people. The CQ team and all our guests, this is for you. Lily, have you changed? Yes I have. My co-host Lily Harper, ladies and gentlemen. What is the next award? The spirit of Attitude Award. This is sponsored by Drake Medox. Drake Medox provide support and care for people with a range of disabilities across NZ. We want to showcase to all what is possible with the right attitude, self belief and hard work. Each nominee has made the mark by seeing that tiny spark of possibility and turning the goals and dreams into reality. (SPEAKS MAORI) it is such an honour to be here into echo Susan's words, what a wonderful evening. I am a rookie at the attitude awards. It is ironic that on an evening like this evening we are people might have picked up the news across the Pacific Ocean we are some heinous acts has been performed in a place that's fosters people with disabilities, we are now she is celebrating people with amazing spirit. I am very stubborn. Nick Chisholm shows exceptional character. He sustained a serious injury playing rugby. He has locked in syndrome. He trained three hours every day. The outcome was a ripped physique. In 2014 he wonder wheelchair bodybuilding champs in NZ. This year more than $11,000 was raised for the NZ Rugby foundation seriously injured players fund. Sean Prenderville looks like any 15-year-old boy. But he has waited five years to get back to the sport he loves. The us only things I want to try. I have come to terms with my leg. He had an aggressive osteo carcinoma in his leg. He had a rare life-threatening blood disorder. The middle section of his leg was amputated. And then his ankle became his new knee. I got this end result that is superb. Singing is everything. It is what I do when I am sad. It is what I do when I am happy. She has excelled in the education system. I volunteered by helping people at Victoria University and doing proofreading. She has vision loss. I have a pain condition that causes muscle deterioration. Music has played a massive role in my life. And the winner of the spirit of Attitude Award is Nick Chisholm. Applause I am extremely surprised. To get nominated. I feel very humbled to win. I am not of a talker. Talker cheering I can't read your handwriting. I would like to think all my friends and family for the support throughout my journey. I want to think my amazing physio, Sky Fitness Dunedin and I would like to thank my stunning and supportive wife Nicola for everything that she does for me. Without her I would be struggling. Cheering thank you very much. You only live once. But I was Lucky enough to get a second chance. We now recognise the creative spirit. The artistic achievement award recognises excellence. The sponsor is the IHC foundation. Mike Chun and IHC foundation and Tony Shaw present. We have made grants in excess of $500,000 to ensure that people with disabilities have real opportunity for creative expression. We hear the word creative used a lot, But for me the word is imagination. In this room tonight there is much greatness. There are people with imagination, no matter how high the barriers. The finalists are... you see an aspect of yourself That you may be haven't seen before. Art has always been at the core of who Juliet Jackson is. An accident resulted in her total loss of sight. When I am working, it will change and evolve. Is a young boy, Salem Foxx struggled to find focus. Dance has transformed into a young man who is achieved distinction in his exams. Dance has helped me a lot with my Asperger's. Before I would communicate with hitting and screaming. Dance helpEd with its discipline. Salem teaches and as a role model for young dancers. Dancing is my life. Yaniv Janson was was diagnosed as autistic as a child. The aim was to raise awareness about the contribution of people living with disabilities. Yanniv's paintings have an environmental and social message. Life is easier for some people and it is hard for some people. I dream of being a famous painter. The winner is Salem Foxx. Okay, wow. I'm very honoured to receive this award. I want to thank the people who have helped me with my journey and my dancing. I like to be different and quirky, and Asperger's is not a disability and it makes me think outside of the square and really helps me in my dancing. Sport performer is always one of the toughest categories to award. Judges factor in the performances in the last 12 months. The judges found this year very challenging. It Invacare we believe in making life experience possible. We are seeing so many life experiences being made possible this evening. Invacare believe that everyone should be able to achieve what they put their mind to. Paralympic athletes regularly redefine the boundaries of what we see as possible. They focus on what does work. They don't overcome disabilities. They overcome an obstacle. They do it in a unique form called sport. The finalists are... Here comes Mary Fisher. At the IPC swimming Championships in Glasgow this year, Mary Fisher claimed five medals. Swimming has made me more confident. When I couldn't do some of the things my friends could do, swimming taught me how to problem-solving. She is on track to attend the Paralympics in Rio. She mentors young blind students in his original performer at the Wellington choir. Para-shooterMichael Johnson is a legendary performer. He received six gold medals and holds the world title in two shooting categories. He won gold in Athens in 2004. I still feel there is more potential for me as an athlete and as a person. It has opened my eyes to do things I never dreamt of. Sophie Pascoe has been the one to beat for eight years. She holds five long course world records. I set myself very high standards. At the world swimming champs she won many medals. Sophie was just 15 when she attended the 2008 Beijing Paralympics. You can easily win once, but to retain title is much harder. She trained 14 sessions a week along with studying fashion. She will be defending her titles in Rio in 2016. The winner of the sport of the year award is Michael Johnson. I would like to say thank you very much. I am very humble to win this award. Thank you to Paralympics NZ for their support. I want to shout out to my dad. He has been supporting me. Thanks. Thanks to Invacare for theIr sponsorship. Now is the People's choice award that you choose. Attitude Live is our online community. We have been streaming these awards the first time this year. The voting closed at lunchtime today with over 40,000 votes. That is amazing. The winner - it's a big cheque - is Sean Prenderville. Congratulations, Sean. Cheering thank you. I am very humbled to be year. It is a real honour to have this award. This award means a lot to me Because my friend Matt is still going through the same thing. He is my buddy in hospital. Never give up on your goals. Just keep going. Thank you. And now to the attitude Hall of Fame. Former Prime Minister Dame Jenny Shipley will present the award. It is a privilege for the Lion Foundation to support these awards for nearly 8 years. The inductees for the attitude Hall of fame is Gary Williams. Gary Williams has pursued his goal to make the world a better place for disabilities over 40 years. He was born with cerebral palsy. He taught himself to write with his feet. He had a job in a workshop. Because of his physical restrictions he could only put five or six labels on a day in his job, and he was deemed as unproductive. He was set up to fail. Gary taught himself to program computers. He became proficient in 20 different languages. He worked with GNS Science for 17 years as a software developer. Cheering he is speech impaired, but has never been afraid to speak up. He was the first disabled person involved the UN level. When he went on stage to sign the convention at the United Nations, NZ delegation received a five-minute ovation. MEN CHANT HAKA (SPEAKS MAORI) people have worked for 45 years I remember their contributions cheering the wonderful young people I hope I built a good foundation that they can work off. Time to announce the supreme award. The winner will take away $1000 in travel thanks to Air NZ. The honourable Nikki Kaye will be presenting this award. I was trying to sum up the night - it's about heart and soul and character. Anyone here or watching at home can see the most beautiful people and can see their soul come through. I'm truly honoured to be here tonight. I was try to hold my tears back so it did not ruin my make up. Congratulations to all the winners and nominees. You should be proud of yourself what you achieved. It is an incredible honour to announce that the attitude ACC supreme award winner is... Muskan Devta. I just quickly want to say thank you attitude, ACC. I'm privileged to be holding this award in my hand. I will go home with lots of love and pride in my heart tonight. Thank you. What a wonderful night of celebration. We are ending on a patriotic note. It is time to join us all in the closing waiata Long White Cloud # Long white cloud. # Your child I'll be. # I'll never be walking alone. # Tall and proud, # Long white cloud. Your child I'll be. # I'll never be walking alone. # Long white cloud. # Aotearoa. # Long white cloud. # Aotearoa. # Long white cloud. # Aotearoa. # Long white cloud. # Long white cloud. # Your child I'll be. # I'll never be walking alone. # Long white cloud. # You'll always be # a light that is guiding me home, # a light that is guiding me home, # a light that is guiding me home, COPYRIGHT ABLE 2015