MEDIA STATEMENT: Award-winning social homes full of art, plants and heart

Award-winning social homes full of art, plants and heart

• Winners of 2024 My Home Awards announced
• Public housing tenants recognised for taking pride in their homes and sharing their stories about home, community connections and culture.
• More than 740 entries received across Queensland

Queensland’s public housing tenants have been recognised for taking pride in their homes and sharing their stories about home, community connections and culture in the 2024 My Home Awards.

More than 740 entries from across Queensland were received for the 11 different award categories designed to showcase tenants’ creativity and community spirit.

The annual awards celebrate art, gardens, neighbourhood connections and volunteering amongst the positive contributions of Queensland’s public housing tenants.

“Congratulating all entrants, Housing and Public Works Minister Sam O’Connor said it was fantastic to be able to recognise so many talented people for their efforts.

The My Home Awards showcases the creativity of our social housing tenants, and they highlight the immense pride our tenants take in their homes and communities. 

With a record-breaking 740 entries this year, it’s heartening to see how deeply Queenslanders value connection – to their homes, their neighbours, and their culture.   

Thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination and congratulations to our winners.’’ Minister O’Connor said.

Regular Gold Coast entrant and multi-award winner Carmel, 80, nurtures her own Gold Coast Garden as well as those across her social housing complex:

“I like to live in a nice place, we all do, and gardens are a big part of that.

“I came here with two pot plants and couldn’t tell you how many I’ve got now! The first weekend I moved in, I shifted 13 wheelbarrows of soil into my garden – and I can still lift bags of soil and use a mattock now,’’ Mrs Trotter said.

“I tell everyone here that gardening is my family, and I do it for my health. If I sit inside, I’m full of pain, but going outside and losing myself in the garden keeps me healthy and strong.’’

Every entrant in the My Home Awards 2024 received a branded cooler bag, with winners in each category awarded hardware vouchers to the value of $100 for first prize, $50 for runner up and $30 for highly commended.

Explainer/fast fact and or further information:

Anyone who needs housing assistance can contact their local Housing Service Centre or Housing Hub during business hours or call the 24/7 Homeless Hotline on 1800 474 753. 

ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT: Twisha Bokhoree 0427 939 326

Regional Data
Brisbane recorded 178 entries.  
Gold Coast recorded 67 entries.
Toowoomba and the South-West recorded 61 entries.
Sunshine Coast recorded 53 entries.
Cairns recorded 43 entries.
Logan recorded 40 entries.
Townsville recorded 29 entries.
Rockhampton and Woorabinda recorded 22 entries.