Bellingen Shire mayor Mark Troy told the Courier-Sun: “This event will give the community an opportunity to celebrate our diversity and share ideas for how we can be a more inclusive community”.

During the morning the mayor will present local Jennie Fenton a Carers NSW Award for her work to make social inclusion a reality in the local community.

Jennie is a ‘Living Life My Way’ Ambassador with the Department of Ageing, Disability and Homecare as well as an inspirational speaker who presented ‘Inclusion, Belonging and the Disability Revolution’ at last year’s Bellingen TED X.

During the morning tea she will talk about her journey and what an inclusive community means to her (see Jennie’s story adjacent).

There will be presentations from Open Arms Care and Community Care Options.

Community Care Options will discuss their social inclusion ConnectABLE project and will have an information stall.

In addition, Ability Links will capture video stories on what an inclusive community means to people, which will be made into a film capturing the essence of the event.

All member of the community are invited to join us in celebrating International Day of People with a Disability from 10am to 12 o’clock in Maam Gaduying Park, outside the Bellingen Library on Monday, December 1.

There will be music and Bellingen Neighbourhood Centre will provide entertainment and light refreshments.

For further information please contact Anna Joy, Council’s Community Wellbeing Planning Officer on 6655-7300.