The Department of Premier and Cabinet has reminded the public that the time to nominate a Queenslander or Queensland-based organisation for a Queensland Greats award is running short.
Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk said the awards were an opportunity to honour Queensland’s home-grown heroes.
“This is an opportunity to celebrate the people and organisations that make Queensland great through their commitment, courage and drive,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“I encourage everyone to look around their communities and their workplaces because Queenslanders are doing amazing things every day and deserve to be nominated for a Queensland Greats award.”
She said that since the awards’ inception 21 years ago, 115 individuals, 18 institutions and eight posthumous recipients had been honoured as Queensland Greats across the fields of business, science, health, education, Indigenous affairs, sport, arts, conservation, community and philanthropy.
“Last year’s recipients included cricketer and youth and multicultural advocate, Usman Khawaja; artist, the late Mirdidingkingathi Juwarnda Sally Gabori; First Nations health and human rights advocate, Gracelyn Smallwood; and natural and cultural history institution, the Queensland Museum Network,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
Mr Khawaja (pictured) encouraged all Queenslanders to nominate the people who had helped make their State a brighter place to live, while reflecting on the achievements of those who were awarded before him.
“When you look at the awards’ history you see Queensland Greats such as Wayne Bennett, Wally Lewis, Clem Jones, Rod Laver, Greg Norman and Allan Border, just to name a few,” Mr Khawaja said.
“The list is inspiring, and I am honoured to be named alongside these Queensland legends.”
Nominations are open across three categories: Individual, Institution and Posthumous, and close on 17 February.
Awards recipients will be announced in June and honoured with commemorative plaques displayed at Roma Street Parkland, Brisbane.
Information about the Queensland Greats Awards and how to submit a nomination for the 2023 Awards can be accessed at this PS News link.