Regional Engagement
Queensland is a vast state with most of its population centred around the south-east corner, therefore extensive regional engagement is critical to achieving our goal of a reconciled Queensland.
At Reconciliation Queensland we strive to make sure all communities across Queensland, whether they be located in the south-east metropolitan hub or remote areas like the Gulf of Carpentaria or Cape York, feel equally involved.
Our committee members are representative of the diverse regions and population groups that make-up the state of Queensland, and we hope that all Queenslanders see themselves reflected in our leadership team and feel inspired to join in the movement of reconciliation.
Some of our regional engagement work includes visiting Aboriginal communities. In 2017, Reconciliation Queensland participated in a Reconciliation Fun Run as a means of engaging the Cherbourg Aboriginal Community. The Fun Run, which was centred around the Cherbourg Ration Shed Museum, attracted a record number of participants, including marathon runner Robert ‘Deek’ de Castella, who heads up the Indigenous Marathon Foundation.
January 26 is a challenging time for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people because the country celebrates its nationhood on a day widely recognised in Indigenous communities as the beginning of land dispossession and genocide. So on 26 January 2022, Reconciliation Queensland held an ‘alternative event’.Mamu Kuku Yalanji woman Rona Scherer and early childhood researcher Dr Melinda Miller facilitated a virtual yarning circle aimed at moving beyond racism and towards reconciliation.The event was hugely successful, generating much discussion and an appetite for more events of such nature.
Members from our leadership team also take time visiting businesses and community organisations around the state to help them launch their Reconciliation Action Plans and speak at their reconciliation-related events.
Building and expanding on our regional engagement efforts is a key priority area for our organisation.