Mel Hebb Awards
About
The Mel Hebb Hourglass Action Award
The Hourglass Action Awards were launched in 1992 during National Access Awareness Week. That year, an hourglass symbolized the spirit of timely action the awards recognize.
In 2000, the name of the Award was changed to the Mel Hebb Hourglass Action Awards in honour of Mr. Melbourne Hebb, (‘Wheels to Victory, The Mel Hebb Story’), a former awards committee chair. Hebb, who passed away in October 1999, was the personification of dedicated action.
To find out more about Mel Hebbs Hourglass Action Award, please visit https://www.aawns.ca/mel-hebb-awards
About
The Mel Hebb Hourglass Action Award
The Hourglass Action Awards were launched in 1992 during National Access Awareness Week. That year, an hourglass symbolized the spirit of timely action the awards recognize.
In 2000, the name of the Award was changed to the Mel Hebb Hourglass Action Awards in honour of Mr. Melbourne Hebb, (‘Wheels to Victory, The Mel Hebb Story’), a former awards committee chair. Hebb, who passed away in October 1999, was the personification of dedicated action.
Awards List
Open for Awards Nominations
Community Action Award: To recognize communities dedicated to increasing opportunities for persons with disabilities in their area. This includes recreation opportunities, inclusive education, and employment opportunities, or other initiatives that lead to the full participation of persons with disabilities. PAANS regrets that improvements to accessibility that are mandated by the Accessibility Act cannot be considered for these awards.
Exceptional Service Award: To recognize an organization, or a member of an organization, that has gone beyond their mandate in service to persons with disabilities.
Encore Award: To recognize a person with a disability who has significantly contributed to the community.
Access Award: To recognize an individual, business, or group without a mandate to serve persons with disabilities, that has worked to improve access to facilities or services that increase opportunities and access for persons with disabilities, including within education, employment, recreation, or other areas of life. PAANS regrets that improvements to accessibility that are mandated by the building code cannot be considered for these awards.
Andre McConnell Award: To recognize an individual and/or municipality who, has gone above and beyond their duties and mandate as a provincial, municipal, or federal public servant and has demonstrated:
- A Commitment to person centered service – always putting the needs and concerns of persons with disabilities first; and
- True dedication to supporting persons with disabilities to fully participate in their communities.
Youth Champion Award: To recognize a youth (up to 18 years of age) with a disability who has significantly contributed to raising awareness of disability issues and championing accessibility.
Do you know anyone who reflects the values and actions of one of the awards? Nominations are open!
Deadline extended for nominations to Friday April 10, 2026.
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Mel Hebb Hourglass Action Award Winners
Check out all our recipients for the Mel Hebb Hourglass Action Awards below from 2012 to 2025. Each tab represents the year of winners.
- 2026 Winners
- 2025 Winners
- 2024 Winners
- 2023 Winners
- 2022 Winners
- 2021 Winners
- 2019 Winners
- 2018 Winners
- 2017 Winners
- 2016 Winners
- 2015 Winners
- 2014 Winners
- 2013 Winners
- 2012 Winners
Community Action Award
Halifax Malayali Association
Exceptional Service Award – Organization
Summer Street Farm
Exceptional Service Award – Individual
Annette Hill
Encore Award
Joseph Robichaud
Encore Award
Randy Reede
Access Award
Corrie Melanson
Access Award
Brittany Currie
Youth Champion Award
Yas Jawad
Community Action Award
Payton’s Path
Exceptional Service Award
Amanda Purdy
Encore Award
Courtney Malcolm
Access Award
Judy Rozee – Rossy Yarmouth
Andre McConnell Award
Mike Arthur
Youth Champion Award
Muhammed Rayan, Parothodukayil
Community Action Award
Inverness Development Association
Exceptional Service Award
Dr. Sarah Moore
Encore Award
Anne Camozzi
Encore Award
Caelin Lloyd
Access Award
Sophie Jones
Andre McConnell Award
Councillor Gary Mattie
Youth Champion Award
Naphtali Tucker
Youth Champion Award
Co-award to Van Bernard and Hadley Frittenburg
Community Action Award
Region of Queens Municipality
Exceptional Service Award
Joanne Bernard, President and CEO of Easter Seals Nova Scotia
Encore Award
John Smith
Encore Award
Kendall Worth
Access Award
Clifford Emberley, Owner of Pair-A-Dice Bistro
Andre McConnell Award
Robert Sealby, Vice-Chair of the Village of Greenwood Commission
Youth Champion Award
Owen Long
Exceptional Service Award Winner
East Coast Credit Union Inc.
Encore Award Winner
Sheila Livingstone
Encore Award Winner
Beth MacLean
Encore Award Winner
Joey Delaney
Access Award Winner
C.H.A.D Transportation, Danny McGillvray
Community Action Award
Port Morien Wildlife Association, Jeff McNeil & Stan Peach
Exceptional Service Award
Cynthia Carrol, Executive Director, Autism Nova Scotia
Access Award
Chrysalis House, Ginger McPhee, Executive Director
Andre McConnell Award
Maria Medioli, Executive Director, Disability Support Programs, Dept. of Community Services
Community Action Award
Town of Wolfville
Exceptional Service Award – Individual
Veronica Dale, Easter Seals
Exceptional Service Award – Organization
TEAM Work Cooperative
Access Award
Sobeys
Andre McConnell Award
Anne MacRae
Community Action Award – Recreation
Maskwa Aquatic Club PaddleAll and Paracanoe Program
Community Action Award – Education
Nova Scotia Community College
Exceptional Service Award
Dr. Brian Hennen
Exceptional Service Award
Faye Joudrey
Encore Award
Claredon Robicheau (Posthumously) – Accepted by Gerry Post
Access Award
Ambassatours/Dennis Campbell
Exceptional Service Award
Disabled Persons Commission
Encore Award
Brian Tapper
Access Award
Bill 59 Alliance
Andre McConnell Award
HRM Mayor Mike Savage
Exceptional Service Award
Louise Gillis
Encore Award
Scott Jones
Encore Award
Chase Valiant
Access Award
The Prince George Hotel
Andre McConnell Award
Anne Black
Exceptional Service Award
Amanda McCulloch
Exceptional Service Award
Simon McFayden
Encore Award
Will Brewer
Encore Award
Victoria Levack
Access Award
Jim Smithson
Access Award
Jen Briand
Andre McConnell Award
Damion Stapledon
Community Action Award
Take Action Society
Community Action Award
Walmart, Bedford Commons
Exceptional Service Award
Ben Marston
Andre McConnell Award
Mike Townsend
Community Action Award
Gail Gardiner
Exceptional Service Award
Nova Scotia Community College
Encore Award
Wayne MacNaughton
Access Award
Stella Lord
Andre McConnell Award
Kevin Penny
Community Action Award
The Club
Exceptional Service Award
Red Cap Restaurant Female Bantam “A” Mariner’s Hockey Team
Encore Award
Rilla McLean
Access Award
Renee Forrestall
Andre McConnell Award
Ronnie LeBlanc
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Get Involved
We envision a future where the abilities of persons with disabilities are fully recognized, developed and living as equals in society.
Our initiatives would not be possible without the involvement of First Voice and the cross-sector collaboration from the community, government, and businesses to reach the goal of an accessible and barrier-free province.
Interested in contributing to one of our initiatives, send us a message!