The recipients of the 2023 Queensland Reconciliation Awards have been unveiled, acknowledging the commendable efforts of six exceptional initiatives and programs in working towards reconciliation within the state.

In a ceremony held in Brisbane during National Reconciliation Week Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced the winners.

A range of projects were acknowledged including initiatives specifically designed to enhance the well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and their families, entrepreneurial ventures that contributed to expanding employment prospects, and programs that shed light on the rich heritage of First Nations through art and storytelling.

Winning initiatives of the 2023 Queensland Reconciliation Awards received a share of $30,000 in prize money.

The 2023 Queensland Reconciliation Awards category recipients included:

• Business – AMS Group for A Beacon for Reconciliation
• Community – Garbutt Magpies Sporting and Cultural Association for Mariakarti Nyawa, Kurranyu Nyinama – Look Back If You Want To Go Forward
• Education – St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School for St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School Reconciliation Action Plan
• Health and Wellbeing – Gold Coast Health for Waijungbah Jarjums Service
• Partnership – Queensland Theatre and Cairns Indigenous Art Fair for Othello.
• Premier’s Reconciliation Award – Gold Coast Health for Waijungbah Jarjums Service

The National Indigenous Times spoke with Dean of Academics, Caitlin McCluskey, and year 11 student Wini Nona from St. Margaret's Anglican Girls School and their projects of reconciliation.

St Margaret's Anglican Girls School has embraced reconciliation by establishing prayer spaces, the publication of two anthologies dedicated to Indigenous literature, and the introduction of specific boarding house activities.

Ms Nona said being recognised for their published works was a proud moment for the students.

"All of the Indigenous girls contributed anything they wanted. It could be personal stories, poems and recipes," she said.

"Some of the girls wrote about home and what that means to them. So the other girls see the ways they talk about home and how they can relate," Ms Mcluskey said.

"Ghidal", a collection of stories from our First Nations' People, and "Mulu Maguydan", a collection of stories from our Elders are available online.

"This year we organised the different stations (9 total) and each one has a different instruction such as; beading, coloring, learning the history behind different aspects of Indigenous culture and yarning sessions," Ms Nona said.

"I'm happy with how far we've come (with regards to reconciliation) and I'm excited to see how far it goes, especially with the younger grades."

Ms Mcluskey noted: "As a school we've seen the confidence in the girls grow. Particularly the year 11s, and the younger girls are seeing that."

"The legacy these girls are leaving behind is just wonderful," she said.