Fair category

Presented by QSuper

Winner

Carer Business Discount Card and Companion Card Project
Disability Services
Department of Communities

The Queensland Government recognises and values the significant contribution made by carers to the Queensland community. The Carer Business Discount Card and Companion Card are two initiatives from the Queensland Government Carer Action Plan 2006-2010 designed to support people with a disability and their carers.

Both cards are based on fairness for cardholders and lay a foundation for the business sector to be involved in community service.

Introduced in July 2008, the Carer Business Discount Card provides discounts in recognition of the contribution of carers to the people they care for and the wider community. This is the first initiative of its kind in Australia.

The Companion Card recognises the human and legal rights of people with a disability who need lifelong care. It promotes fair ticketing through the waiver of entry fees for an accompanying carer. Introduced in March 2009, the program is licensed by the State of Victoria and is now supported by the Commonwealth Government.

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Highly Commended

Djumbunji Press: KickArts Fine Art Printmaking
Backing Indigenous Arts Program, Arts Queensland
Department of the Premier and Cabinet

Djumbunji Press KickArts Fine Art Printmaking Centre in Cairns nurtures the extraordinary talents of printmakers in Far North Queensland. The project provides opportunities for Indigenous artists to develop and share their skills, generate income and create new work through workshops, custom printing and studio space.

The Backing Indigenous Arts Program implemented by Arts Queensland was a catalyst for the unique partnership with James Cook University, KickArts Contemporary Arts Ltd, communities and individual artists and printmakers.

Djumbunji is a traditional word of the Gimuy Yidinji people meaning 'belongs to scorpion place' and honours the location of the press in the area of Bunda Djumbunji's Scorpion Mountain, the traditional name for the Whitfield Mountain range.

Djumbunji Press plays a significant role in advancing Indigenous arts and culture by celebrating and maintaining traditional cultures, supporting contemporary arts practice, increasing the supply of quality artworks for sale, modelling ethical and authentic protocols and opening new markets.

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Finalist

Palm Island Government Office Buildings and Mall Upgrade
Palm Island Project Coordination Team
Department of Public Works

In July 2009, the Department of Public Works completed two modern government buildings offering increased services to the people of Palm Island.

The building project, which extended to upgrading the Palm Island Mall, represented a creative approach to government project management within Indigenous communities and set a new agenda for the development of such projects in the future, particularly in the incorporation of local culture in government building work.

The project went beyond providing improved government services from better facilities by providing:

• employment opportunities resulting in over 16,000 hours of work for locals
• the inclusion of local art into the initial design of the buildings and mall area
• the publication of an art catalogue showcasing the artwork of the Palm Island community.

By showcasing the local culture through the artwork and catalogue, the project was not only significant to the Palm Island community. It also offered a new way for Queenslanders to recognise, respect and build on what Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders offer.

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Finalist

The Yonder Project
KITE Arts Education Program @ QPAC, Arts Queensland
Department of the Premier and Cabinet
and Department of Education and Training

KITE Arts Education Program @ QPAC developed the Yonder Project to address the needs of students experiencing some of the highest rates of social exclusion in the State. The pilot project was delivered in 2007-08 and involved six schools.

KITE teacher artists worked in classrooms with principals, teachers, students and guest artists to collaboratively develop theatre performances exploring issues of interest to their community. The creative development processes culminated in performances in which students explored complex ideas and expressed their understandings through performance to their family and school community.

Since the delivery of the pilot project, the Yonder Project has grown in profile and capacity, with support confirmed across local, State and national agencies.

Evaluation data suggests the Yonder Project resulted in improved learning outcomes for students, particularly in the areas of literacy and social competency. In 2010-12, this project will expand to 18 schools to develop community partnerships, activating schools as community hubs.

Last reviewed: 30 October, 2009

Last updated: 30 October, 2009

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