An inspiring social media project by the Queensland Police Service, Yarrabah Shire Council and Wugu Nyambil Employment Services has won the Premier’s Reconciliation Award for 2022.
The Yarrie Yarns Project joins four other outstanding initiatives by Queensland businesses, community groups, educational institutions and government entities announced at the awards ceremony tonight in Cairns.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk congratulated the Yarrie Yarns team for the overall Premier’s Reconciliation Award, as well as the Partnership category award, for their commitment to revitalising community culture and storytelling.
“Yarrie Yarns is an empowering social change project, sharing First Nations stories for inspiration, motivation, education and reconciliation,” the Premier said.
“Since 2017 it’s celebrated the Yarrabah community, culture and connections throughout Australia, to combat negative impacts on education, health, employment and crime.
“It’s a great example of the ongoing commitment to reconciliation and inclusivity by Queensland organisations and individuals, which we acknowledge every year with all of these important awards.”
“I thank and congratulate all the nominees, and all of the 2022 Queensland Reconciliation Awards category recipients.”
- Premier’s Reconciliation Award and Partnership Category – Queensland Police Service, Wugu Nyambil and Yarrabah Shire Council for Yarrie Yarns project.
- Business Category – Baidam Solutions Pty Ltd for ICT industry pathways
- Community Category – Hinchinbrook Shire Council for Hinchinbrook Indigenous Literacy Project
- Education Category – Blackwater State High School for Blackwater State High School Reconciliation Action
- Health and Wellbeing Category – The Pass the Fire Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation for The Boss Boxing initiative.
Minister for Seniors, Disability Services and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Craig Crawford applauded all the finalists for their positive actions towards reconciliation.
“Reconciliation requires us to be courageous in our commitment to truth-telling and honesty about our shared history,” Mr Crawford said.
“This takes ongoing work from government, business, the community – from each and every one of us.
“We can’t undo the past, but we can mend the present, and aspire to a bright new future.”
Queensland Reconciliation Awards Ambassador Johnathan Thurston said the 2022 recipients were challenging perceptions and sending powerful messages to Queenslanders.
“As Awards Ambassador, it is gratifying to see the power of this movement and the strengthening of pride within the communities,” Mr Thurston said.
“I would like to offer my congratulations and praise for these inspiring Queenslanders. I look forward to hearing more about the impact these programs will have in the years ahead”.
Winning initiatives across the five categories and the Premier’s Reconciliation Award received a share of $30,000 in prize money.
The Queensland Reconciliation Awards is an initiative of the Queensland Government through the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and the Department of Seniors, Disability Services and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships.
The awards are proudly supported by Bank of Queensland, The University of Queensland, the Queensland University of Technology, James Cook University and Santos.
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