- Funding confirmed for community organisations across Queensland to support local events which promote unity and reconciliation.
- This year's recipients stretch from Cairns, Townsville, and Cook Shire, down to Toowoomba, Scenic Rim and across the South East corner.
- Celebrating Reconciliation Grants provide up to $2,500 for each recipient to support local events and activities such as cultural performances, art exhibitions, community sport, and storytelling.
- Crisafulli Government delivering practical reconciliation in partnership with local communities after Labor's decade of decline.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering support for dozens of local organisations in communities across Queensland to strengthen unity and reconciliation.
Celebrating Reconciliation Grants will support community events during National Reconciliation Week (27 May - 3 June) with up to $2,500 for each recipient to strengthen relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Queenslanders.
This year's recipients will support communities in Cairns, Townsville, Cook Shire, Mount Isa, Central Highlands, North Burnett, Cassowary Coast, Southern Downs, Scenic Rim and across the South East corner.
National Reconciliation Week commemorates two significant milestones in Australia's reconciliation journey – the successful 1967 referendum and the 1992 High Court Mabo decision.
The theme for this year's National Reconciliation Week is All In which is a call for all Australians to walk together with greater understanding and reconciliation.
This year's recipients include:
- Under One Sky Workshops in Cardwell in the Far North deliver a cultural art series co-designed and facilitated by the Girramay Traditional Owners.
- Deadly Coffee event run by Queensland Youth Connections Indigenous Corporation in Townsville with live performances from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists.
- Reconciliation Through Sport and Art in Mount Isa with centrepiece rugby league exhibition match - QPS Invitational team vs Indigenous All Stars.
- Life Without Barriers deliver immersive art and cultural experience with local Aboriginal artist for children in out-of-home care in Toowoomba.
- Gathaa First Nations Markets on the Sunshine Coast offer traditional art, handmade products, cultural workshops, and bushfood demonstrations.
- Netball Queensland supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in Ipswich and Logan to design cultural bibs to be worn by the Queensland Firebirds.
- First Nations Lifeguards on the Gold Coast share the story of Indigenous saltwater people and their involvement in the early lifesaving movement.
- Goondiwindi's Run For Reconciliation brings together locals and cross-border participants with a bush tucker tea and cultural storytelling led by Elders.
After Labor's decade of division over delivery, the Crisafulli Government is focused on practical reconciliation in partnership with local elected leaders to deliver tangible frontline services, such as clean drinking water, in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Queensland.
Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Fiona Simpson said the Celebrating Reconciliation Grants empower local communities across the State to host meaningful events to build stronger relationships and social cohesion.
"These grants support local organisations to unite communities and promote respect between cultures," Minister Simpson said.
"Reconciliation is about acknowledging the significant heritage of our First Peoples and the importance of deepening our shared understanding."
Also among the Celebrating Reconciliation Grants recipients is the St Andrew's War Memorial Hospital in Brisbane, operating by UnitingCare Queensland.
This hospital will create an Honouring First Nations Veterans display to promote an appreciation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander military history and service.
UnitingCare Queensland's Reconciliation Action Plan Partner Nikki Burns - a Yorta Yorta, Wamba Wamba and Dharug woman - said the project aimed to promote inclusion and shared learning across communities.
"The Honouring First Nations Veterans project will be a cultural display that respectfully recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander servicemen and women, addressing a gap in visibility and acknowledgement," Ms Burns said.
