Several amazing people and organisations got a long-overdue ovation from their peers last night.

In an inspirational evening gathering many stalwarts of Sydney’s LGBTI community, ACON’s annual Honour Awards acknowledged movers-and-shakers who do so much.

Youth and experience were the major themes at this year’s Awards, held at the downtown Ivy bar. See Same Same’s photos below.

Susan Brooks won the Community Hero Award for service to the LGBT community as a member and supporter of several key community organisations and most recently as a founding and key member of The Pinnacle Foundation which provides scholarships and mentorships to marginalised and/or disadvantaged LGBT young people.

Gay and HIV activist Bill Whittaker was honoured with the inaugural ACON President’s Award in recognition of a lifetime dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of people affected by HIV/AIDS.

Gen Q/Regional Youth Support Services, a peer-run support group for young LGBT people that has been operating in the Central Coast region for 15 years, won the Community Organisation Award.

The worthy winner of the Health & Wellbeing Award was John O’Dea, who has provided over 20 years of volunteer service to the LGBT community as a key member of both the Mature Age Gays support group and the ACON condom packing team.

Internationally recognised playwright Tommy Murphy, whose work has helped offer readers and audiences a valuable insight into gay lives and culture, picked up the arts and media award, and Oxford St entertainment venue Stonewall Hotel, celebrating15 years of service to the LGBT community, took away the Business Award for its significant support of local charities and community organisations.

Last night’s event was attended by over 200 people and an auction there raised over $30,000 for ACON’s vital work in the community.