Tasmanian Disability Awards

Tasmania's much-loved radio host guides us through the evening's awards and celebrations.

Shane Hryhorec is an entrepreneur, disability advocate, speaker and accessible travel content creator. As the founder of Push Mobility and Accessible Beaches Australia, Shane has spent more than 15 years working to improve accessibility and inclusion for people with disability. A wheelchair user himself, Shane combines lived experience with business leadership and advocacy to challenge perceptions, create practical change and promote greater independence and inclusion.

Totally blind, New Zealand born and of Lebanese origin, Lara discovered her talent and passion for music at a very young age — playing piano from the age of two, with singing following soon after.

Lara was an artist on The Voice Australia and also performs on Channel 9's Vision Australia Carols by Candlelight.

In late 2023 Sean was touted online as a look-a-like of Manchester United's Rasmus Højlund — a player yet to score for the club. Sean's song at the time was 'Waiting On a Miracle'. The internet got behind him, Højlund scored, and the song hit #1 on the UK Daily Viral Spotify Chart for 11 days straight, charting top 10 in nine other countries.

Sean lives with Hunter Syndrome, a rare disease for which he receives life-saving hospital treatment every week, cared for by a dedicated team of nurses who champion his music. With over 1.1 million followers across TikTok and Instagram, his fans love his positive outlook in the face of challenges most could not comprehend.

"I have faced dark days in hospital as a young person facing a rare disease. I know what it's like to feel there is no hope. I have learnt to live every day as though it's my last, and I hope I can share my journey of hope with one person at a time, through my songs and my voice."