Queensland’s resilience to disasters shines through awards

Projects helping build Queensland’s resilience to natural disasters were on show at the 2022 Get Ready Queensland Resilient Australia Awards held in Brisbane tonight.

 

Following one of the worst disaster seasons Queensland has experienced in a long time, Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Local Government, Infrastructure and Planning Steven Miles was delighted to see 37 inspiring entrants across seven categories. 

 

“Queenslanders know all too well the impact severe weather and natural disasters have on our state and people,” Mr Miles said.

 

“Tonight we recognise Queenslanders and their efforts during tough times, showing the initiative to push forward and support each other and I would like to congratulate them all for their efforts and achievements.

 

“Many of this year’s entrants focused on preparing people for an imminent natural disaster and helping them recover afterwards.

 

“We realise the impacts of disasters such as the ones recently experienced go beyond bridges and roads. We need to ensure Queenslanders are both physically and mentally prepared. 

 

“Other ways local communities showed their support during trying times was through innovative care packages, which were provided to the elderly who were isolated because of the pandemic.”

 

Queensland Reconstruction Authority Chief Executive Officer Brendan Moon congratulated the entrants for their supportive, innovative, and creative approaches to disaster preparation and resilience building.

 

“Each and every year I am pleasantly surprised by the wide variety of projects that feature in these awards,” Mr Moon said.

 

“People are constantly coming up with new ways to prepare Queenslanders for natural disasters and help them recover afterwards.

 

“I’d also like to commend Kairi State School teachers in the Atherton Tablelands who helped a group of students gain their amateur radio licence so they can now support the community by broadcasting vital emergency messages during the next natural disaster.

 

The Queensland Chapter of the Resilient Australia Awards is delivered by Get Ready Queensland, the Queensland Government’s all hazards disaster awareness program, in partnership with the Australian Institute of Disaster Resilience.

 

Winning projects will progress to the National Resilient Australia Award ceremony in late 2022.

 

The full list of Queensland winners and highly commended entrants is available at www.getready.qld.gov.au/2022-Resilient-Australia-Awards-Queensland-Winners.

 

Photos of winners of the awards will be available from 9am on Friday 9 September at the following link 2022 Get Ready Queensland Resilient Australia Awards.   

 

For more information on Get Ready Queensland visit www.getready.qld.gov.au

ENDS

 

Media contact: Katharine Wright 0428 957 903 (Deputy Premier)

 

Breakdown of award winners

 

Business Award

 

Preparing for the Unimaginable by CQ University Townsville campus

 

The project aimed to see what could be learnt from those who experienced the monsoon flood in 2019 and used that information to help businesses and organisations to better support their staff before, during and after an event.

 

Community Award

 

Mercy Community – Multicultural Disaster Management Ambassadors, a collaborative effort between Mercy Community, Toowoomba Regional Council and the Australian Red Cross

 

This outstanding project connected local culturally and linguistically diverse communities with emergency and support services, so they can be better prepared when a disaster occurs.

 

The Multicultural Disaster Management Ambassadors program brought together the Australian Red Cross, Mercy Community and Toowoomba Regional Council to push an important message to a vulnerable audience in the Darling Downs region.

 

Local Government Award

 

COVID-19 Care Packs for the Elderly by Longreach Regional Council, supported by local community

 

The project was a compassionate and innovative way to respond to the needs of one of the most vulnerable groups in the community.

 

It brought together young children, retailers and non-government organisations.

 

Government Award

 

The 2022 Aboriginal Torres Strait Island Aspirations Program State Final Challenge: Get Ready! by Department of Education shared the win with State Guideline: Flood Evacuation Route Improvements

 

Both projects demonstrated support during disasters and encouraging communities to be prepared.

 

The Department of Education’s program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students involved a challenge where pupils would research and develop a communications plan that could be used to inform people about possible disaster risks and how to prepare for them.

 

In a first of its kind, Transport and Main Roads published a guideline for improving flood evacuation routes, offering a list of options available to communities to help them evacuate during flooding.

 

School Award

 

Cairns in Your Hands by Smithfield State High School’s Tropical North Learning Academy

 

Cairns in Your Hands’ program, which gave students from across the region the opportunity to contribute to the 'Our Cairns Coast' Coastal Hazards Adaptation Strategy and help ensure the future of their city.

 

Health and Wellbeing Award

 

South West Queensland Birdie Calls Collaborative Project by South West Hospital and Health Service

 

The adventures of two plush toys are helping young children prepare for, cope with and recover from natural disasters. Their trip around Western Queensland, a good way of captivating young audiences and providing them valuable lessons in life.

 

Photography Award

 

Supporting resilience by City of Gold Coast’s Deb Cox

 

The image of two Surf Life Saving helicopter pilots delivering emergency supplies to campers demonstrates resilience in action.

 

The group found themselves stranded when raging floodwaters cut off their Canungra campsite, which won the People’s Choice photography award for 2022.