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The Multicultural Queensland Awards recognise and celebrate outstanding achievements of individuals and organisations working towards an inclusive multicultural Queensland.
The Awards ceremony is part of Multicultural Queensland Month in August and it is an opportunity to learn about different cultures in Queensland and take action towards an inclusive multicultural Queensland.
Nominations for the 2024 awards are now open and close on Sunday, 7 April 2024.
The 2024 categories are:
Recognising the outstanding contribution of a Queenslander who has actively contributed to improving their local community or Queensland society. This can be through activities such as social enterprise or business that provides opportunities for others, volunteering or actively contributing to a local community group.
This category is for individuals who have arrived from overseas to live in
Queensland in the last 10 years.
Recognising individuals who work or volunteer within the Queensland Multicultural Sector* who are taking innovative approaches and achieving outstanding success in supporting Queenslanders from a diversity of backgrounds to participate and contribute to the social and economic life of Queensland.
Recognising non-government organisations, not-for-profit and community groups from the Queensland Multicultural Sector* who are working innovatively and achieving outstanding success in supporting Queenslanders from a diversity of backgrounds to participate and contribute to the social and economic life of Queensland.
Recognising individuals who have gone above and beyond to break down barriers to participation for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and created ways of helping people find belonging in Queensland.
This category is open to individuals who work or volunteer in organisations outside the Queensland Multicultural Sector*.
(Note: individuals who work within the Queensland Multicultural Sector can apply under the Multicultural Sector Outstanding Achiever category).
Recognising corporations, businesses, community organisations and government agencies that have gone above and beyond to break down barriers to participation for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and created ways of helping people find belonging in Queensland.
This category is open to organisations outside the Queensland Multicultural Sector*
(Note: organisations from the Queensland Multicultural Sector can apply under the Multicultural Sector Outstanding Achiever category).
Recognising an extraordinary individual who has demonstrated an outstanding long-term commitment to supporting and promoting an inclusive multicultural Queensland.
This category specifically recognises individuals who have devoted twenty (20) years or more to building belonging, intercultural connection and social and economic pathways for culturally and linguistically diverse communities and achieved significant success over time.
Recognises the outstanding contributions of a nominee, selected by the Minister for Multicultural Affairs from all category nominations.
*Queensland Multicultural Sector refers to organisations and individuals whose core business is to support people from diverse backgrounds including migrants, refugees, asylum seekers, international students and Australian South Sea Islander Queenslanders. .
One winner will be selected from each category and recognised at the Multicultural Queensland Awards ceremony to be held during Multicultural Queensland Month in August.
Nominations will be highly regarded by demonstrating:
Before nominating, please read the guide for nominations to find information about how to nominate and the assessment process.
To give everyone the opportunity to nominate, the department will accept nominations in your language. If you are planning to submit your nomination in your language, I encourage you to email us at MQM@des.qld.gov.au for further information at least one week prior to the awards nominations closing date.
Nominate online via SmartyGrants.
If you are unable to access the online nomination form, please contact Multicultural Affairs Queensland by phone on 07 3078 3030 or by email MQM@des.qld.gov.au
Nominations close Sunday 7 April 2024.
Late nominations will not be accepted.
Nominations are reviewed and assessed by an independent judging panel. The judging panel will include three judges external to the department and one judge from the department as the chairperson of the judging panel.
The judges will assess only on the information provided in the nomination, using the responses to the questions and criteria for each category.
The Minister for Multicultural Affairs will choose an outstanding nominee from all nominees to receive the Minister’s Multicultural Award.
The judging panel reserves the right to:
Can I nominate myself?
Yes, self-nominations are accepted.
Can I nominate a person or group in more than one nomination category?
No, you cannot nominate the same person/organisation under multiple categories. Each nomination should only be submitted under ONE category.
You can submit more than one nomination from you or an organization, as long as they are for different people/organisations.
Can a business operating in Queensland, but registered in another state, be nominated for an award?
Yes, if the business operations are in Queensland.
Can previous winners or finalists be nominated again?
Yes, however, they must be nominated for a completely different project or activity.
When will award winners be announced?
The winners will be announced at the Awards ceremony in August during Multicultural Queensland Month. The winners will be promoted via Queensland Government websites and social media channels and may be selected to be interviewed by media organisations.
Unsuccessful nominees will be advised of the outcome and feedback on their nomination can be provided upon request. The Department of Child Safety, Seniors and Disability Services also welcomes any feedback on the nomination process at any time by emailing MQM@des.qld.gov.au.
Can I submit a nomination in my own language?
The department will accept nominations in your language. If you are planning to submit your nomination in your language, I encourage you to email us at MQM@des.qld.gov.au for further information at least one week prior to the awards nominations closing date.
Interpreting services
Interpreting services are available for people who have difficulty communicating in English. If you have difficulty understanding this guide or would feel more comfortable discussing this document in your own language, please telephone 1800 512 451 and ask for an interpreter.
