Winner: Mesh & Knots MASSI MATSI Women's Group, Mackay
The Mesh & Knots MASSI MATSI Women’s Group consists mainly of Australian South Sea Islander (ASSI) elders who are passionate advocates of the ASSI community in Mackay. They raise awareness about heritage by promoting their culture through community projects, education and sport.
Some of Mesh & Knots’ projects include:
- The Cemetery Project (identification of 114 graves)
- the development and delivery of a historical component for inclusion in the education curriculum at Mackay State High School
- the inaugural Kanaka Proud Cup
- the Greg Fatnowna Memorial Shield.
The group is working to strengthen ties between Mackay and Rockhampton ASSI communities and contributed to the celebration of the ASSI Mackay’s 150th anniversary of the arrival of the first South Sea Islanders to Mackay.
While Mesh & Knots considers itself Australian with a deeply rooted history in Queensland, they are committed to contributing their stories to the Mackay conversation and promoting the township as their home and the home of their ancestors—a place where all people are welcome.