Queensland Resilient Australia Award winners announced for 2023
The determination and innovation of Queenslanders in the face of natural disasters was showcased at the Get Ready Queensland Resilient Australia Awards night for 2023.
Held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, the ceremony celebrated the Queensland resilience shown during the toughest of times, toasting initiative and the ability to push forward and support others.
Hosted by the Australian Institute of Disaster Resilience, the gala event saw awards across six categories with winners and highly commended recipients recognised for their incredible work to increase the resilience of Queenslanders.
Among the big winners on the night was none other than the Queensland Reconstruction Authority, who together with the Department of Energy and Public Works took out top honours in the Government category for the successful delivery of the $741 million Resilient Homes Fund.
The initiative has given thousands of Queensland homeowners the opportunity to safeguard themselves against future floods and will reduce the impacts and effects of future disaster events.
Queensland Reconstruction Authority Chief Executive Officer Major General Jake Ellwood (Retd) congratulated the Voluntary Home Buy-Back team as well as the other entrants for their supportive, innovative, and creative approaches to disaster preparation and resilience building.
“Congratulations to our winners and all the finalists for their remarkable efforts in helping create stronger, safer, more resilient Queensland communities,” Mr Ellwood said.
“The impressive pool of entries in 2023, from the south-east corner right up north to Gulf Country, show a commendable community-first focus to proactively reducing the effects of disasters.
“They point to the power of unity and the harnessing of collective spirit and skills to the benefit of others.
“Embedding greater disaster resilience in communities requires a whole-of-society push, and it’s Queenslanders like these recognised during this year’s Get Ready Queensland Resilient Australia Awards who are leading from the front.”
The 2023 award winners included:
- Carpentaria Land Council Aboriginal Corporation (Community)
- Woodridge State High School (School)
- Moreton Bay Regional Council and Balonne Shire Council (Local Government)
- JDA Co (Business)
- Robin Omor (Photography)
- Department of Energy and Public Works and Queensland Reconstruction Authority (Government)
Highly commended awards were also extended to Yeronga not-for-profit community organisation Community Plus+ and a partnership project involving Queensland’s Department of Housing and Gympie Regional Council.
Winning projects will now progress as finalists for the National Resilient Australia Awards, which will be announced in late 2023.
The full list of Queensland winners and highly commended entrants is available at www.getready.qld.gov.au/2023-Resilient-Australia-Awards-Queensland-Winn….