Melbourne Awards Finalist for 2024!
What a whirlwind year it’s been for Access with Ash! One of the biggest highlights of 2024 was being named a finalist in the Melbourne Awards for access and inclusion. To receive this recognition after just over a year of work in this field is incredibly humbling.
When I started Access with Ash, my goal was simple: to make Melbourne’s incredible venues, events, and experiences more accessible for everyone. From cafes and bars to concerts and community spaces, I’ve been on a mission to uncover and share the places that make inclusion a priority. This work has been driven by personal experience—navigating the city with mobility aids has shown me both the joys of great access and the frustrations when it’s lacking.
Being a finalist in the Melbourne Awards felt like such a moment of validation—not just for me, but for everyone who’s been part of this journey. It’s a celebration of the small but significant steps we’ve taken together to create change. Whether it’s a detailed review of an accessible café, a video tour of a venue, or advice on home modifications, each piece of this puzzle contributes to a bigger picture of inclusion.
The Melbourne Awards night itself was a magical experience. Being surrounded by so many inspiring Melbournians, all dedicated to making this city better in their own unique ways, was a reminder of the power of community. While I didn’t take home the trophy, simply being in that room as a finalist felt like a win. Helping others find welcoming, accessible spaces in Melbourne is its own reward, and this recognition is an incredible milestone. Sitting in the Melbourne Town Hall among inspiring Melburnians who make our city vibrant, inclusive, and liveable was a moment I’ll never forget. Thank you to the City of Melbourne, congratulations to all the finalists and winners, and a special shoutout to Travellers Aid Australia for winning the Access and Inclusion award. And let’s not forget the support of my incredible family and friends who were there to cheer me on.
This recognition has only strengthened my resolve to keep pushing for progress. Access and inclusion aren’t just “nice to have”—they’re essential for creating a city that everyone can enjoy. There’s still so much work to be done, but moments like this remind me that we’re heading in the right direction.
Thank you to everyone who has supported Access with Ash this year. Whether you’ve read a blog post, followed along on social media, shared your own recommendations, or just cheered me on from afar, your encouragement means the world. Here’s to an even bigger and brighter 2025—let’s keep making Melbourne more inclusive, one step at a time!
