Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services and Child Safety

📢 Nominations close 5pm, Monday 10 March. The Queensland Reconciliation Awards recognises initiatives going above and beyond their core business to foster reconciliation and pave the way for a better future for Queensland. The program provides an opportunity to showcase diverse and innovative reconciliation initiatives providing meaningful impact and social, cultural and economic outcomes across Queensland, while also increasing cross-cultural awareness and respect. Winner of the 2024 Community category and Premier’s Reconciliation Award, Uncle Glen Miller behind the Butchulla Warriors’ Memorial, explained that “Since winning the awards, it has enhanced our standing in our local community. It has generated goodwill, support, and respect within the non-Aboriginal community, which continues to grow.” There are five categories open for nomination: ➡️ Business ➡️ Community ➡️ Education ➡️ Health and Wellbeing ➡️ Partnership. An overall Premier’s Reconciliation Award will also be presented to a nominated initiative demonstrating innovative strategies and exceptional outcomes towards advancing reconciliation in Queensland. The 2025 Queensland Reconciliation Awards recipients will be announced at a ceremony during National Reconciliation Week, 27 May to 3 June 2025, receiving a share of $30,000 in prize money. 🌐 https://lnkd.in/bapkl #ReconciliationQLD Image description Image 1: Graphic for the Queensland Reconciliation Awards 2025 with vibrant, colourful First Nations design on teal background with text "Nominate Now". The Queensland Reconciliation Awards design depicts a celebration of diverse industries, services, leaders, and pathways that build strong and proud communities across Queensland. The five areas celebrated within the Reconciliation Awards are each represented by their own element, however, all elements also work together to create a landscape of strength and cohesion from the ground up. The pink line above represents the Premier’s award that sees the elevation and celebration of leaders among leaders. The design is contemporary in its palette and imagery, however, draws on both Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal design sensibilities. The colours represent the diverse landscapes of Queensland and are bright and bold in recognition of the celebratory role of these awards. Image 2: 2024 Queensland Reconciliation Awards Community category and Premier's Reconciliation Award winner - Butchulla Men's Business Aboriginal Association for Butchulla Warriors' Memorial - A Journey of Reconciliation. Three representatives hold awards and stand in front of a wall featuring the Queensland Reconciliation Awards artwork.

Parents with Child Safety experience in the past 5 years in Queensland are invited to take a survey to have their say. The survey is anonymous — parents cannot be identified from the survey. It asks questions about their experiences. An independent group called the Social Research Centre is running the survey. They are not allowed to share the individual survey answers with us. They will collect the survey information and present the report. The survey is a collaboration between: • Family Inclusion Network, including parents with child safety experience • Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Protection Peak • Child Safety. Parents’ voices matter. The survey information collected by the Social Research Centre will be used to identify the things that can be improved to make positive change for parents. The survey closes 31 May 2025. For more information, go to: https://lnkd.in/gRwKpQp6

Happy Queensland Women’s Week! March 2 – 9 is loaded with opportunities to unite, celebrate, and March Forward for progress in women’s equality and economic security. Find event details and resources at https://lnkd.in/gaRkiXCp. #QWW25 #WomeninQLD #MarchForward #IWD2025 Image description: Promotional graphic for Queensland Women's Week 2025, featuring colourful illustrations of diverse individuals and the slogan 'March Forward,' with the Queensland Government crest.

This Saturday 1 March is International Wheelchair Day, when we acknowledge the positive impact wheelchairs have on people’s lives. Since the first wheelchair was invented in 1655 by German clock maker Stephan Farffler, many advancements, from wood to metal, heavy to lightweight and manual to electric, have improved the independence and mobility of wheelchair users. With an estimated 400,000 wheelchair users in Queensland alone, International Wheelchair Day is an ideal time to recognise the people provide wheelchairs, support, and care for wheelchair users, advocate for equal opportunities and accessibility in public spaces, and promote a better understanding of the challenges faced by people with mobility impairments. Want to make a positive impact this International Wheelchair Day? If you want to make people in wheelchairs, feel more comfortable, don’t assume what they need, simply ask. Asking for advice on accessibility issues will not only give you the right answers but will start a conversation that helps to make workplaces more accessible and inclusive. And if you’re planning a meeting, event or activity at work. The Queensland Government Accessible Events Guide is a must read for effective planning! https://bit.ly/3QCqiYP Image description: A female and a male professional, one using a wheelchair, collaborating at a desk in a modern office environment. The person in the wheelchair has a folder open and is showing the contents of the folder to their colleague.

Accessible video resources are available for women with disability impacted by domestic, family and sexual violence. The accessible video resources have been developed alongside women with disability and the Queenslanders with Disability Network. These videos cater to Queenslanders' diversity, including women with specific communication or cognitive needs based on type of disability. Domestic and family violence is never ok. Access the resources for information on domestic and family violence, what healthy and unhealthy relationships can look like, the steps you can take to seek support and questions you can ask yourself if you think you may be experiencing domestic and family violence. Visit www.qld.gov.au/neverok Full-length video https://lnkd.in/g83hNJBV Auslan video https://lnkd.in/gb5neZKJ

“We had one child, she would be in a corner and that’s where she’d just stay continuously. Any time you tried to engage with her, her hands used to go over her face and just hide. "I used to sit on the floor and just bring toys to myself. And I didn't engage, I didn't talk to her, I just played with toys by myself. "Then each day, I went closer and closer to her and then I said, ‘Are you able to pass me that?’ And she'd pass the toy to me and then I’d say, ‘Would you like to play with me?’ And then slowly, I just saw her creeping closer and closer to me until finally, we got to play and she just came out of her shell.” 💜 Debbie and Steve have been fostering for over two decades and say that as long as you’ve got that love, compassion and patience, you can become a carer. It's not always easy, but training and support is available. “The fostering agency is very much a great support to us,” says Steve. “If we're having particular needs that we need met based around this particular child, then we can approach our fostering agency and the department together so they can all work in unison with us.” We are honoured that Debbie and Steve found time amidst their busy life to share their fostering journey with us – what an impact they’ve made in the lives of so many vulnerable children and young people. 👉 You too can make a difference in a child’s life. Discover their whole story and find out more about foster caring. https://bit.ly/3QVamCt [Image description: A descriptive transcript for this video is available via the link above.]

The 2025 Queensland Reconciliation Awards is now open for nominations. For over 20 years the awards have recognised and celebrated inspiring initiatives in Queensland for their dedication and unwavering commitment to reconciliation. Nominate today for the chance to be awarded a share of $30,000 in prize money. To find out more and to nominate, visit qld.gov.au/reconciliation. Nominations close 5pm, Monday 10 March 2025. #ReconciliationQLD Image description Graphic for the Queensland Reconciliation Awards 2025 with vibrant, colorful First Nations design on teal background with text "Nominate Now".

Today is World Care Day – the biggest celebration of children and young people in care. From personal achievements to moments of resilience, this day is about celebrating every young person in care, their achievements, their strength and their story. At the end of 2024, Child Safety Officer Sarah was thrilled to learn that ten-year-old Charlie* received his school report card filled with shiny, straight As. 🌟 Sarah has been working closely with Charlie and his family for a little while and describes Charlie’s attitude to school as positive and inspiring. According to Sarah, the best part was the boost to Charlie’s self-esteem. “He was soooo proud of himself, which was just wonderful to see, as he really applies himself and never wants to take a day off school. It was so rewarding to hear his efforts had paid off and he earned this stellar academic record – we are so proud of him and can’t wait to see what he achieves in the future.” 💙 Well done to Charlie and his supportive team! *Not his real name. Learn more about World Care Day at https://lnkd.in/gtCAFde9 #WorldCareDay25 [Image description: Teal background with white and yellow text that reads: “He was soooo proud of himself, which was just wonderful to see, as he really applies himself and never wants to take a day off school." – Sarah, Child Safety Officer.]

📢 Community and not-for-profit organisations can now apply for grants up to $35,000 in the Gambling Community Benefit Fund's (GCBF) latest round of grants. The GCBF fund is Queensland’s largest one-off community grants program and distributes approximately $60 million each year to not-for-profit community groups, helping them to provide services, leisure activities and opportunities for Queensland communities. 📅 Apply before 28 February 2025 https://bit.ly/4gicHAw Image description Image for the Gambling Community Benefit Fund featuring the text 'Ready to help your community thrive?' with graphical elements including a hand, a sprouting plant, and flowers on a teal background.

Applications are now open for eligible organisations to apply for a Seniors Month 2025 grant. Grants of up to $2,000 are on offer to host inclusive events and activities during Queensland Seniors Month (1-31 October). Seniors Month is all about promoting positive community attitudes towards older people and ageing while providing opportunities for older Queenslanders to connect with each other and their communities. Applications close on Friday 28 March 2025. Find out more and apply today: https://lnkd.in/gKA69NCs [Image description: Green and purple promotional graphic for Queensland Seniors Month Grants, October 2025, announcing the grants are 'Now open!'. Along the base are the logos for COTA Queensland and the Queensland Government.]