The Premier has announced this year’s 2020 Queensland Reconciliation Awards winners and congratulated the 16 awards finalists for their dedication and commitment to reconciliation across Queensland.
The awards are held as part of ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Reconciliation Week (27 May – 3 June).
The Premier said a construction company focusing on Indigenous training and employment, a memorial garden honouring the First Nations Peoples, and the team responsible for an 80-metre screen project depicting the First Nation oral histories are among this year’s recipients.
“The strength and diversity of the initiatives honoured through these awards is a true indication of the support for reconciliation across the State,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“While an awards ceremony couldn’t be held this year, it’s important we still recognise the winners and finalists for their significant contributions and their achievements, which are inspiring others along the pathway to greater inclusivity.”
“These awards are a valuable opportunity for voices to be heard, and for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Queenslanders to appreciate and acknowledge our shared history.”
Indigenous Wellbeing Centre Ltd was named the winner of the Premier’s Reconciliation Award for its initiative Screens share Aboriginal history to support reconciliation.
“This wonderful initiative showcases the benefits of approaching reconciliation as a community. It focused on the First Nations Peoples and the trauma experienced in their lifetime, a platform for true reconciliation and a healing process for the community,” the Premier said.
“The Indigenous Wellbeing Centre has acknowledged the importance and sensitivities of the past through a piece of art, and also opened a platform for discussion, not just within the Bundaberg community, but across Queensland.
“I want to congratulate the centre for its commitment to engaging the local community, acknowledging our history and valuing the knowledge of Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
In other categories, Hutchinson Builders was named winner of the Business category for its Statim Yaga (Start Work) program, which focusses on Indigenous training and employment.
Beulah Community Limited, which established the First People’s Memorial Garden and War Memorial and a Frontier Wars installation featuring artworks by several local First Peoples artists, took out the Community category award.
Eidsvold P–12 State School was the winner of the Education category for Yumbin means ‘All of us’, an initiative to link students, teachers and the wider community through health, wellbeing and a focus on building cultural capacity.
Sunshine Coast Regional Council’s Kids in Action program, in partnership with Jinibara Aboriginal Corporation and Gubbi Gubbi Dance, was the winner of the Partnership category.
Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Craig Crawford congratulated the award recipients.
“Reconciliation is the responsibility of all Queenslanders and through these awards we continue to acknowledge and honour the positive actions taken towards closing the gap,” Minister Crawford said.
“The excellence displayed by businesses, community groups and educational institutions does not go unnoticed, especially during these unprecedented times. I thank every nomination for their continued commitment to reconciliation.”
The winning projects across the categories of business, community, education, partnership and the Premier’s Reconciliation Award will receive a share of $25,000 in prize money.
