Digital graphic featuring a trophy cup, gold confetti, and streamers, celebrating an award. Text acknowledges Euphoria Social's founder's award for outstanding contribution to the LGBTQIAPN+ community, emphasizing core values of accessibility, inclusion, and celebration.
Two people smiling at a party, one woman wearing a red dress and gloves holding a glass of drink, and one man in a beige suit, standing in front of a colorful rainbow fringe backdrop.

  • Basem Kerbage

    Congratulations Bas on receiving the 2026 Founder’s Award.

    This recognition is a well-deserved acknowledgement of your contribution, leadership and commitment.

    Bas you are recognised for your extraordinary contribution to community through the founding of Queer Arabs Australia — a space built on courage, visibility, and belonging.

    Through consistent care, advocacy, and quiet leadership, You has created environments where people feel safe, seen, and valued. Your impact goes far beyond formal roles — it lives in the connections they’ve nurtured, the people they’ve supported, and the sense of home they’ve built for others.

    What stands out most is not just what you have built, but how they do it — with warmth, humility, generosity, and a genuine commitment to walking alongside community, not above it.

    This award honours you and the heart, humanity, and the lasting impact of their presence in the lives of so many.

  • Finnley Stirling (he/him)

    This special recognition is presented by the founder of Euphoria Social to an individual who has made an outstanding and meaningful contribution to the LGBTQIAPN+ community. It is an honour that reflects the core values of our organisation: accessibility, inclusion, and celebration.

    The 2025 Founder’s Award recognises Finnley Stirling (he/him) for his tireless work as a youth advocate and his ongoing commitment to trans and gender-diverse young people.

    His contributions include impactful work with the Youth Affairs Council Victoria, where he supported the development of resources focused on sexual health and respectful relationships, as well as previous roles with Headspace and the Zoe Belle Gender Collective. Across all of this work, Finnley has demonstrated leadership grounded in care, lived experience, and intersectionality.

    Particular recognition is given to the LGBTQIA+ support group he established in the Yarra Valley — a region where access to affirming spaces can be limited. This form of grassroots community care continues to have a lasting and meaningful impact.

    As a published poet and visible advocate, Finnley’s voice continues to uplift and inspire. His work consistently reshapes what support can look like for young people navigating identity, belonging, and hope.

    This award recognises not only what has been achieved, but who Finnley is — someone whose authenticity encourages others to stand taller in themselves.

  • The Euphoria Social Founder’s Award is a deeply meaningful recognition presented by the founder of Euphoria Social to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the LGBTQIAPN+ community.

    This award exists to honour the people who strengthen our communities through care, leadership, advocacy, creativity, and lived experience. Often, this work is done quietly, without recognition — yet its impact is profound and lasting.

    People who create connection, safety, and belonging for others.

    The Founder’s Award is not just a title or a moment — it is a space of gratitude, visibility, and celebration for those whose work helps shape stronger, more inclusive communities.

    At its heart, this award recognises contribution, authenticity, and the power of grassroots impact.

  • Many people give their time, energy, and care to support others without acknowledgement — often carrying this responsibility quietly and consistently.

    The Founder’s Award exists to pause and recognise that work, and to ensure it is seen, valued, and celebrated.

    When people feel acknowledged, it strengthens community life. It helps people:

    • feel seen and valued

    • continue their contribution

    • stay connected to community

    • grow into leadership

    • sustain their wellbeing and purpose

    This is more than recognition. It is an act of care, gratitude, and community sustainability — honouring the people who hold others up.

A woman in a shiny, patterned dress is receiving an award or certificate from a man in a brown suit with a patterned scarf. They are standing in front of a plain wall with a podium nearby.
Group of four young people sitting at a table, smiling and posing for the camera at a celebration or party, with a woman in the background making peace signs.
Two women and a man sharing a hug near a table with candles in a room.
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Three friends standing against a brick wall with their arms around each other, smiling and looking at the camera.
Three people standing indoors against a plain wall, raising one hand each, with the person in the middle holding a microphone.
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A person with dark skin and a unique hairstyle, wearing a denim jacket and large hoop earrings, is holding a microphone and smiling. They are standing in front of a large screen or projection showing a partially visible image of another person with l
Two women dressed in black at a party, standing in front of metallic pink and purple streamers. One holds a white Chanel purse, the other a gold clutch.
Two well-dressed individuals, a woman in a red blazer holding a microphone and a man in a dark suit and pink tie, standing at a wooden podium with lit candles, smiling and engaging with an audience.
A man in a black tuxedo with a beard standing next to a person wearing an elaborate pearl jewelry and a striped dress, against a dark background.
Group of five people at an event, standing in front of a colorful, metallic red backdrop. Two women in the center are wearing sashes; one holds a bouquet. The group appears celebratory, dressed in stylish and festive attire, and is posing for a photo
Three people, two men in tuxedos and a woman with tattoos and a crown, stand behind a wooden podium with ornate carvings, speaking into microphones at what appears to be a formal event or ceremony.
Group of five people standing in front of a rainbow-colored paper decoration backdrop, smiling and posing for the photo at a celebration or event.
Two women at a colorful rainbow-themed celebration, one holding a certificate, the other in a wheelchair with a small dog on her lap, set against rainbow-colored streamers.
Two men smiling and standing close together inside a building with brick wall and large window behind them. The man on the left is bald with tattoos on his face and arms, wearing colorful patterned shirt and accessories. The man on the right has dark
Two individuals standing together on stage, both dressed in black and white plaid clothing, smiling, holding microphones, with a plain background and icons or selfies displayed above.
People dancing and having fun at a lively indoor party or celebration, wearing colorful outfits, with some individuals laughing and enjoying the music.
A wedding ceremony with a couple hugging at a wooden altar, surrounded by two men, one holding a microphone, in a dimly lit room.
Two people posing in front of a colorful paper backdrop at a party or event. The person on the left is wearing leopard print pants, a black top with sheer sleeves, and has large curly hair with a leopard print headband. The person on the right is wea
A group of eleven people posing together indoors, dressed in formal and fashionable clothing, with some wearing jackets with patches and badges.
Four people standing in front of a colorful rainbow paper backdrop at a celebration or event, dressed in formal attire with happy expressions.
Group of drag performers in elaborate costumes posing together on stage with a colorful backdrop.