Shannon Meilak - AdvocateIt has been over a week now since All In was announced as Best New Program at the Antenna Awards. As the excitement of the night settles, the true weight of this achievement is only now beginning to sink in.
We didn’t just take home a trophy; we took home a moment of pride, a moment of genuine recognition for a community that is so often unheard. This win stands as testament to our ongoing fight to be seen, to the determination that carries us through barriers and setbacks, and to the courage it takes to share our most personal and painful experiences with honesty and vulnerability. We do this not only to help non-disabled people better understand us, but to validate those who travel this path with us.
Representation is not a buzzword for us. It’s survival. It’s dignity. It’s the difference between being endlessly spoken about versus finally being heard. For marginalised disabled people who rarely see themselves reflected authentically, this recognition matters. It says; your stories are worthy, and the world needs what you bring. It honours the pride within our disability community, a pride that has been fought for and reclaimed over generations.
I want to express my heartfelt thanks to every single person involved in bringing this project to life — to the guests who bravely shared their stories, insights, and lived experiences, to the hosts and crew who poured their talent and heart into every moment. Special thanks to Eliza Hull, Attitude Foundation, and Powerd Media for making this show possible. And finally, to C31 Melbourne; thank you for welcoming us with open arms, for recognising the importance of authentic storytelling, and for supporting our community with genuine respect. None of this would have been possible without each of you, and what you have done for me and for so many others like me, means more than words can express.
To every person in our community who feels they are not “enough” in any way, this win is proof of your power, even in the moments you don’t feel it. To everyone who has ever felt invisible or underestimated — this award is for you. It’s for us.
