A TWO person organisation which helped spawn a series of social enterprises that have long-term impacts on the lives of people with disabilities has won an award for excellence at the inclusion awards last night.

Chief Minister Katy Gallagher presented the awards across 10 categories, from a pool of 55 nominations at the gala event, which is designed to celebrate organisations and individuals that have championed the inclusion of Canberrans with a disability.

The event featured performances by singer Rachael Leahcar, who placed third in the TV talent show The Voice Australia, and the MC for the evening was comedian and disability activist Stella Young.

The 2012 Award for Excellence was awarded to the ACT Social Enterprise Hub, whose partnerships with businesses to foster disability inclusion were described as “truly innovative.”

The Social Enterprise Hub also took out the award for Innovation in Inclusion, for helping to create long-term employment opportunities for those who were excluded from the labour market.

St Edmunds College, Canberra Theatre Centre, Novotel Canberra, Lord’s Taverners Association, National Mailing and Marketing, the Belconnen Arts Centre, and social inclusion advocate Louise Bannister were all honoured for their contribution to disability inclusion.