Published Yesterday at 08:13 PM

Minister for Local Government and Water and Minister for Fire, Disaster Recovery and Volunteers
The Honourable Ann Leahy

Crisafulli Government celebrates Queensland’s disaster resilience 

  • Crisafulli Government recognises Champion Queenslanders for their disaster resilience efforts at the 2025 Queensland Resilient Australia Awards.
  • The awards acknowledge the initiatives and innovative thinking strengthening local disaster resilience across a broad range of sectors.
  • State winners from seven categories will now be in the running for national Resilient Australia Awards to be announced later this year. 

The Crisafulli Government has recognised Queenslanders for their champion disaster resilience efforts at the 2025 Queensland Resilient Australia Awards in Brisbane this evening. 

Growing overall community safety and strengthening the state for future disaster events were key themes of the recognised initiatives, with seven organisations awarded on the night. 

  • The Yellow Company (Business)
  • Resilient Kurilpa (Community)
  • Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (Government)
  • Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council (Local Government)
  • Logan City Council (Mental Health and Wellbeing)
  • Smithfield State High School (Schools)
  • Geovert – Adel Namehi (Photography) 

The Queensland Resilient Australia Awards are managed by the Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience and delivered in partnership with the Queensland Government’s Get Ready Queensland program and Suncorp. 

Each year the awards celebrate community-focused resilience building and the people making a difference by mitigating the impacts of disasters. 

Minister for Disaster Recovery Ann Leahy said the Crisafulli Government was proud to celebrate the ingenuity and spirit of so many who had helped to create a stronger, safer and more resilient Queensland. 

“Each initiative recognised has improved the lives of others, and in doing so is telling an important story about selflessness and growth,” Minister Leahy said. 

“To see our next generation of young people, students in the south-east and the Far North, seeking out ways to improve mental health outcomes and build more resilient communities is incredibly inspiring. 

“It’s also clear recent disaster events have created an appetite for change in our regions and cities, with awarded resilience innovations helping people from Wujal Wujal to Brisbane’s West End. 

“Every disaster season we overcome presents an opportunity to learn and do better,” she said. 

“What these Queensland Resilient Australia Award winners remind us is our impact is only limited by our imagination.  

“From government to schools, businesses to community groups, we can all play a role in growing our collective disaster resilience. 

“It’s heartening to know across all facets of our society, and with all ages, this goal is front of mind, and Queenslanders are rising to the challenge.” 

Each Queensland Resilient Australia Award winner is now in the running for the national Resilient Australia Awards, which will be announced later this year. 

For more information on the Resilient Australia Awards visit the Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience website. 

ENDS 

MEDIA CONTACT: Kate Haddan 0437 334 769 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:  

2025 Queensland Resilient Australia Award winners: 

Business  
Winner: The Yellow Company  
Project: Wujal Wujal Rising: A Community-first Recovery Project 

Community 
Winner: Resilient Kurilpa  
Project: Community-led Flood Resilience on the Kurilpa Peninsula 

Highly commended: Reef Catchments (Mackay Whitsunday Isaac) 
Project: Nature-based solutions to build resilience in the Mackay Whitsunday region 

Government  
Winner: Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) 
Project: The Fire Management Uplift Program: reimagining fire, capability and culture 

Local Government 
Winner: Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council  
Project: Wujal Wujal Master Plan Review, with Meridian Urban and Water Technology 

Highly Commended: City of Gold Coast 
Project: FloodCAST (Flood Community Advice Scenario Tool) 

Mental Health and Wellbeing  
Winner: Logan City Council, with Dr Briony Towers 
Project: Student Voice in Disaster Resilience: A Walking Fence Exhibition 

Schools 
Winner: Smithfield State High School 
Project: Sustaining the Tropics Through Resilient Communities 

Photography 
Photographer: Adel Namehi, Geovert 
Photo title: Emergency response: Night infrastructure stabilisation 
Photo location: Greater Cairns, Far North Queensland