First Nations Telegraph

2022 Queensland Reconciliation Awards announced

[by Jasmine Halley]

Image: supplied

Yarrie Yarns Project, a joint initiative between the Queensland Police Service, Wugu Nyambil and Yarrabah Shire Council, took top honours at the 2022 Queensland Reconciliation Awards, announced at a ceremony in Cairns.

The social media project sharing First Nations stories to inspire social change was honoured with both the Premier’s Reconciliation Award and the Partnership Award.

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Yarrie Yarns Project is a social media initiative inspiring social change for the Yarrabah
community. It shares First Nations stories, known as yarns, to inspire, motivate, educate,
empower and promote reconciliation. Led by the Queensland Police Service in partnership with the Yarrabah Shire Council and Wugu Nyambil Employment Services, this collaboration highlights the community’s achievements.

The project began in 2017 to celebrate the Yarrabah community, people, culture and its
connections throughout Australia while highlighting achievements, opportunities,
reconciliation, challenges and issues. It was formed to combat negative portrayals of the
community and foster a sense of empowerment. Throughout 2020 and 2021, Yarrie Yarns
promoted and celebrated a series of 250 Yarns for 250 Years of Reconciliation in Australia.

Yarrie Yarns Project joins four other outstanding initiatives across Queensland businesses, government, community groups and schools announced as category winners at the annual awards, held during National Reconciliation Week.

The 2022 Queensland Reconciliation Awards category winners are:
• Business: Baidam Solutions Pty Ltd
• Community: Hinchinbrook Shire Council for Hinchinbrook Indigenous Literacy Project
• Education: Blackwater State High School for Blackwater State High School
Reconciliation Action Plan
• Health and Wellbeing: The Pass the Fire Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Corporation for The Boss Boxing
• Partnership and Premier’s Reconciliation Award: Queensland Police Service, Wugu
Nyambil and Yarrabah Shire Council for Yarrie Yarns Project

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk congratulated the Yarrie Yarns team for their commitment to revitalising community culture and storytelling.

“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,” the Premier said.

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.

Queensland Reconciliation Awards Ambassador Johnathan Thurston said the 2022
recipients challenged perceptions and sent powerful messages to Queenslanders.

“As Awards Ambassador, it is gratifying to see the power of this movement and the
restrengthening 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.”

The five winning initiatives receive 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.

Visit qld.gov.au/reconciliation for more information.