Queensland Reconciliation Awards 2024

From the start, Mandingalbay Yidinji Aboriginal Corporation’s (MYAC) objective was to operate tourism that is respectful to, and sustainable for, the land while delivering social benefits, improved services and immediate economic outcomes through employment for the Yarrabah and Mandingalbay Yidinji communities.

In April 2022, Mandingalbay Authentic Indigenous Tours (MAIT) was activated and went live with full time bookings. Slowly building capacity, MAIT began operating half day tours as well as private charters and corporate group experiences including the signatory Deadly Dinner. Accessibility, visibility and flexibility of the business grew with the launch of their 12m river cruise vessel from the Cairns Marina. In the first 18 months of operation, MAIT attracted over 5,000 domestic and international visitors.

For over two decades, MYAC has believed that tourism represented an immense opportunity to create employment as well as celebrate and maintain strength and connection through culture, a legacy that will positively impact many future generations. MYAC believes that Indigenous Tourism is reconciliation in action, a belief that is upheld every day during their tours by the positive and often transformative response observed from their guests.

Jangga Operations Pty Ltd serves as the officially recognised organisation responsible for preserving the cultural heritage of the Jangga Native Title Determination, with their core focus on fostering a positive environment that generates consistent Indigenous employment opportunities. Jangga Operations actively collaborates with a diverse network of Indigenous and non-Indigenous groups, fostering a strong and enduring commitment to Indigenous employment and training while placing significant emphasis on providing training and facilitating career advancement for Traditional Owner communities. Through these efforts, Jangga Operations are dedicated to driving substantial and long-lasting economic development, education and employment opportunities for both the Traditional Owner communities directly involved in the project and the broader Indigenous communities throughout Queensland.

Abergowrie State School is situated in the farming community of Abergowrie on Warrgamay lands in North Queensland and serves as a central hub for the local community. Recognising the importance of cultural diversity and awareness, the school community has embarked on a cultural learning journey with the local Warrgamay Tribal Council. Since the initiative’s inception in 2021, the school has built relationships with the local indigenous landowners and has deepened cultural understanding but also fostered a profound bond with the Warrgamay Tribal Council. With the construction of the Yarning Circle, establishment of the Native Bush Tucker Garden and adoption of Warrgamay language into the curriculum, a genuine respect, reciprocity and shared commitment to cultural preservation have forged bonds akin to those of a family.

Dedicated to providing enriching environmental education day visit programs for kindergarten to Year 12, Bunyaville Environmental Education Centre (Department of Education) fosters a deep appreciation for nature and inspires caring for Country. The transformative programs aligned with the Australian Curriculum and Early Years Learning Framework prioritise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures alongside Science and Sustainability.

Recognising the high impact achieved by targeting the early years, Bunyaville Environmental Education Centre have developed many initiatives that support students, educators and the community to embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives. This includes developing a ‘Bush Kindy. It’s Deadly!’ kindergarten program, leading professional development for early childhood educators, and establishing powerful partnerships within the Department of Education as well as with the community. By building capability in others and by fostering secure, respectful and reciprocal relationships, Bunyaville Environmental Education Centre aims to build positive communities of the future.

Embracing reconciliation at its core, St James College, in the Edmund Rice identity, has achieved a significant milestone by doubling its Indigenous student population. With immersive experiences in the Northern Territory, proud ceremonial dance troupes, schools constitutional convention participation, innovative embedded curriculum, tailored supported pathways and partnerships, every aspect of student life reflects a strategic promotion of reconciliation through events, voice, arts, sport, and constitutional advocacy. The College’s multicultural ethos is deeply ingrained; First Nation perspectives are at the forefront of all aspects of school life.

RATEP is a community-based education program that assists First Nations peoples to become registered teachers, qualified teacher aides and early childhood educators. Launched more than 30 years ago, RATEP works at a community level to address the alarming shortage of First Nations educators in Queensland schools and childcare facilities whilst simultaneously shaping future employment opportunities for First Nations learners. The structure of the RATEP model is outside the normal scope of TAFE Queensland's VET programs with a specific focus on reconciliation through community-based learning. RATEP has become a model the world looks to for guidance and one that continues to self-evaluate and adapt to the evolving needs of First Nations Australians.

In 2022, Isa Rodeo Limited in partnership with the Mona Aboriginal Corporation founded the Mount Isa Mines Indigenous Rodeo Championships. This inaugral Indigenous rodeo championships was designed to elevate and celebrate First Nations people through sport, art and culture. It seeks to strengthens Mount Isa community relationships, create economic benefits, drive social change, and elevate Queensland’s international reputation for exceptional and unique First Nations events and experiences. In two years, the event has doubled in size, expanded its cultural entertainment program, employed 65 Indigenous contractors, and celebrated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities through sport, song, dance, art, and storytelling.

Legacy: Reflections on Mabo celebrated the man behind the game-changing Native Title Act, Eddie Koiki Mabo. Co-curated by Gail Mabo, Dr Jonathan McBurnie and Kellie Williams, the exhibition showcased a selection of 22 artworks by 25 Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists in the spirit of reconciliation, approximately three decades after the historic achievement. From July 2019 to February 2023, this inspiring exhibition travelled more than 8,900km across Australia and engaged over 53,400 people, further engaging audiences in conversations of reconciliation and First Nations arts and culture.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people face significant underrepresentation in Australia's commercial wild-caught seafood industry, which has led to economic disparities and limited community benefits. The Queensland Government committed to address the challenge by establishing a special fisheries working group to work closely with key stakeholders, to identify new economic pathways through charter fisheries and tourism operations while ensuring sustainable fisheries are maintained in Cape York. The initiative exemplifies a proactive approach towards reconciliation, economic empowerment and sustainable resource management, and aligns with the government’s Closing the Gap Implementation Plan to improve economic and cultural relationships of First Nations Queenslanders with the land and waters to foster long-term positive change for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

The Waanyi Native Title Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC (Waanyi PBC) in partnership with the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation are making history on Boodjamulla (Rainbow Serpent) Country in North West Queensland with a total of 378,000 hectares being returned to Waanyi PBC and the first National Park (Aboriginal Land) tenure being created. Through this process there have been several groundbreaking agreements formalised including the first lease back arrangement on a Queensland National Park. This partnership has strengthened relationships for the benefit of all Australians who visit this iconic park. Ongoing funding provided to Waanyi PBC to manage Country with Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services will provide increased employment, business and economic opportunities, cultural recording, and language restoration activities.