QUEENSLAND

Queensland Community Achievement Awards

2025 Winners

 

All Winners on stage

 

Diversity Australia Diversity and Inclusion Award

Presenter Holly Stokes, Chief Executive Officer, Diversity Australia (Centre) with winners Aspire Cairns Community Limited

Aspire Cairns Community Limited of is building resilient communities where every person can thrive and belong. Aspire is a grassroots organisation transforming lives across more than 20 communities in Far North Queensland, Cape York, and the Torres Strait Islands. Aspire co-designs programs with local leaders to ensure they are community-led and culturally safe. Initiatives such as Getting Kids Places remove transport barriers to education and sport, while Aspire to be Deadly empowers over 1,200 Indigenous girls through leadership, cultural identity, and sport participation. Their efforts have led to improved school attendance (up to 100% in some areas), reduced youth disengagement and crime, and stronger community cohesion. 

 

 

Bendigo Bank Community Group of the Year Award

Presenter, Kate Wakeling, CEO & Executive Director, Bendigo Bank · Community Bank Logan (Right) with Winner Care Kits For Kids (Left)

Care Kits for Kids Qld is advocating for purposeful volunteerism. Since 2018, Care Kits for Kids Qld Inc has provided nearly 17,000 Queensland children in care or crisis with essential items through their thoughtfully prepared Care Kits. Each backpack contains new clothing, toiletries, books, toys, and handcrafted quilts, offering both practical support and emotional comfort. Operated entirely by over 140 volunteers, including schoolchildren and seniors, the charity runs without paid staff or regular funding, relying on community donations, partnerships, and grants. Care Kits for Kids Qld has created a Queensland-wide impact, ensuring every child who receives a kit knows they matter and that their community truly cares.

 

Konica Minolta Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Community

 

Presenter Brian Wood, General Manager Indirect, Konica Minolta (Left) with Winner Indigenous Insights (Sharron mirii Bell holding trophy and daughters to her right)

Indigenous Insights fosters pride, and breaks down barriers between communities. Founded in 2005 by proud Wiradjuri Gamilaraay woman Aunty Sharron mirii Bell, Indigenous Insights is a family-led business dedicated to strengthening cultural understanding, identity, and wellbeing. Joined by her daughters Jess and Tiahni, Aunty Sharron delivers programs, workshops, and concerts that connect children, families, and educators with Aboriginal culture in meaningful ways. Their I Am Me song and book, co-developed with Children’s Rights Queensland, has reached over 130,000 viewers and is used in schools and libraries across the state. Indigenous Insights creates lasting change by embedding culture, respect, and reconciliation into everyday life.

 

QLD Family and Child Commission Dedicated to Improving Safety of Children Award

 

Presenter Luke Twyford, Chief Executive & Principal Commissioner, Queensland Family & Child Commission (Left) with Winner Project Paradigm - Abbey Doran (Right)

 

Project Paradigm is helping to ensure every child can grow up free from harm. Led by Principal Advisor Conrad Townson, Project Paradigm is driving systemic change to protect children from sexual exploitation across Queensland and beyond. Through trauma-informed training, advocacy, and resource development, the team builds community capacity to recognise, prevent, and respond to child sexual abuse and exploitation. Their initiatives, such as the Shifting the Paradigm webinar series, training workshops, and It’s Never Too Early prevention campaign, have reached over 7,000 professionals, 3.2 million parents and carers, and 6.1 million children. 

  

QLD Family and Child Commission Dedicated to Supporting Young Queenslanders Award

 

Presenter Luke Twyford, Chief Executive & Principal Commissioner, Queensland Family & Child Commission (Left) with Winner Zane Nonol (Right)

Zane Nonol of Goondiwindi leads with empathy and purpose. Zane is a passionate youth mentor transforming the lives of at-risk and Indigenous young people. Through his volunteer work with PCYC and Goondiwindi basketball, he removes barriers to participation by personally funding registration fees, providing transport, and creating safe spaces for youth engagement. His innovative approach, including offering free haircuts as an experienced barber, has become a unique tool for building trust, boosting self-esteem, and promoting social inclusion among diverse cultural groups. Zane’s programs, including the Youth Drop-in and After Dark sessions, regularly attract dozens of participants, offering positive alternatives to crime and social disconnection.

 

 

Royal on the Park Local Legend Award

 

Presenter Cr. Julia Spicer OAM, Goondiwindi Regional Council (Left) with Winner Jade Nelson (Right)

Jade Nelson is dedicated to building stronger, safer, and more connected communities for women. As Founder and President of The Women’s Society (TWS), a charity of 4,100+ members, Jade leads initiatives that reduce isolation and improve women’s mental health. Drawing on her lived experience of homelessness and domestic violence, she has created over 100 free and low-cost events and programs, raising $15k+ and delivering 500+ hours of connection. Beyond TWS, Jade volunteers across multiple organisations and serves on local committees. She was selected by the Minister for Women to join Queensland’s Women’s Economic Security Leadership Roundtable and was named one of North Queensland’s Top 50 Most Influential Women in 2025.

 

   

Synergie Australia Safety Award

Presenter Rino Caprioli, National Safety Manager, Synergie Australia (Left) with Winners DV Safe Phone (Right)

DV Safe Phone, based on the Sunshine Coast, is restoring safety, dignity, and connection for victims of domestic and family violence. Founded in 2020, the national charity provides free, safe mobile phones to victims whose devices are often destroyed, monitored, or taken by abusers. Donated phones are repurposed, fitted with chargers and SIM cards, and distributed through more than 500 frontline agencies, including police stations, hospitals, and crisis centres. Having gifted over 15,000 phones and supporting more than 100 victims each week, DV Safe Phone is not only saving lives, but also reducing e-waste through 1,200 community collection points nationwide. Congratulations DV Safe Phone.

 

The Career College Small Business Award

 

Presenter Annette Hurley, Managing Director, The Career College (Left) with Winner 2 Bent Rods - Sam Beckmann (Right)

2 Bent Rods of Victoria Point fosters confidence, inclusion, and care for the environment through the joy of fishing. Co-founded by Sam Beckmann in 2004, what began as a family beach day has grown into a business that has taught over 115,000 people of all ages and abilities to fish safely and responsibly. 2 Bent Rods delivers school programs, community events, and pest-fishing competitions. A strong advocate for women in recreational fishing, Sam shares her experience and insights at national forums. Her innovative approach—creating educational tools, custom apps, and partnerships with councils, schools, and industry—continues to inspire future generations. …Congratulations 2 Bent Rods