Get Ready for Resilient Australia Awards

The search is on for community-minded Queenslanders who have helped their regions recover and become more resilient following natural disasters.

Community Recovery and Resilience Minister David Crisafulli said applications were now open for the 2014 Get Ready Queensland-Resilient Australia Awards that recognised the work of individuals, community groups and businesses.

“Queensland’s recent run of floods, droughts and cyclones has revealed the strength and spirit of communities across the State,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“It shows just how far we’ve come in improving the way we recover and rebuild after these events, and we have a strong plan for a brighter future as we strive to become Australia’s most resilient state.

“At the hearts of these communities are people that embody the spirit of resilience that have helped Queensland recover from natural disasters since January 2013 and they should be rewarded.

“They are often the most humble members of our communities, the unsung, everyday heroes doing what needs to be done to help their neighbour.”

Disaster Recovery Coordinator Kevin Guteridge said much of the success of the recovery in regional Queensland from last year’s floods was due to community spirit.

“Many of the recovery projects succeeded because they were driven directly by locals determined to step up and help others,” Mr Guteridge said.

“Sometimes the people who drove the community-based recovery programs were victims themselves.”

Applications for the Get Ready Queensland-Resilient Australia Awards are open to all people, organisations and businesses throughout Queensland with the winners to represent the State at the National awards later this year.

Mr Crisafulli urged people to encourage those who helped them in their moment of need to apply.

“Ask them to put their name forward, not out of pride or vanity, but rather to give us a chance to appreciate the spirit of resilience that is alive and well in Queensland.”

For more information, including how to apply, go to getready.qld.gov.au/ResilientAustraliaAwards

Applications close 2 July, 2014

[ENDS] 21 May 2014

Media Contact: Andrew Longmire 0418 216 627