Nominations now open for the 2025 Queensland Reconciliation Awards

Nominations are now open for the 2025 Queensland Reconciliation Awards, with early childhood education and care (ECEC) services invited to join Queensland businesses, schools, local sporting clubs, councils and government agencies in celebrating initiatives that support and strengthen First Nations communities.

The awards are a chance to recognise reconciliation programs that improve social relations, enhance health outcomes and support employment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. 

Since the inception of the awards in 2003, more than 100 inspiring initiatives and partnerships that support a more inclusive Queensland have been recognised. 

“We have the longest running continuous culture in the world and that is something we should continue to celebrate and be proud of,” Minister for Women and Women’s Economic Security, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and Minister for Multiculturalism
The Honourable Fiona Simpson said. 

“The awards showcase the great work undertaken to push the boundaries of reconciliation and improve diversity throughout Queensland.”

“We’re focused on working towards Closing the Gap – prioritising health, housing and educational outcomes to provide First Nations peoples with greater opportunities and reduce disadvantage.”

“Reconciliation is everyone’s business, and together we can strengthen our cultural connections and achieve more than we ever could individually.” 

In addition, the Premier’s Reconciliation Award will be presented to a nominated initiative that has demonstrated innovative strategies and exceptional outcomes toward advancing reconciliation in Queensland.  

The Queensland Reconciliation Awards ambassador and NRL legend Johnathan Thurston AM encouraged Queenslanders to nominate. 

“These awards shine a light on the incredible efforts of Queensland initiatives making a real difference in reconciliation, and I encourage you to nominate to help showcase their impact and inspire others to follow,” Mr Thurston said.  

Nominations will close on Monday, 10 March, 2025, with the Award winners to be announced during National Reconciliation Week (27 May – 3 June 2025). 

Organisations can win a share of $30,000 for a successful nomination in one of the five following categories:

• Business – for initiatives focused on building economic growth, employment, skills and career development, workplace inclusion and diversified opportunities through reconciliation in Queensland. 
• Community – for initiatives focused on improving community relations and engagement and strengthening social cohesion through reconciliation in Queensland.  
• Education – for educational initiatives focused on championing reconciliation through cultural capability and knowledge sharing in communities and educational institutions in Queensland.
• Health and Wellbeing – for initiatives focused on closing the gap and improving equity and access and First Nations health and wellbeing outcomes in Queensland.
• Partnership – for initiatives consisting of two or more organisations with an equal and mutually beneficial relationship and input into the initiatives objectives and outcomes fostering reconciliation in Queensland. 

The Queensland Reconciliation Awards is an initiative of the Queensland Government through the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, and the Department of Women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and Multiculturalism. 

The 2025 Queensland Reconciliation Awards is proudly supported by Bank of Queensland, The University of Queensland, James Cook University, Santos, QUT, and ABC Radio Brisbane. 

For more information, visit the 2025 Queensland Reconciliation Awards.