My Home Awards
The My Home Awards celebrates connections to home, community and culture and the positive contributions of Queensland public housing tenants.
The awards encourage tenants to keep active, connect with their neighbours and community, and share their stories and creativity.
2023 My Home Awards – entries are now closed
Judging will commence in September 2023, with winners being announced in November 2023.
Thank you to all entrants in this year’s My Home Awards and the contributions you make to your communities.
More information
- Contact your nearest Housing Service Centre
- Email myhomeawards@chde.qld.gov.au
- Follow us @HousingforQld on Facebook
Read about some of last year's 2022 My Home Awards prize winners.
Talented Normanton artist celebrates her culture
Talented First Nations artist, Margaret, won first prize in the What home means to me category awarded by the Mount Isa Housing Service Centre.
Margaret shared the meaning behind her painting. “This painting represents the bush tucker we see around our country. From the barramundi to the turtle and goanna, to the kangaroo and the snake. The centre scene depicts a family making fire, getting ready to cook their tucker. The brolgas dance to bring the rain, with the hope to bring an abundance of food”.
Gardening brings joy and builds community connections
For social housing tenants James and Cynthia, their home and community make Clermont a great place to live.
The duo love gardening and sharing their roses.
“We love the smell of roses, and we love seeing the joy on people’s faces when we give them our roses,” said Cynthia.
James and Cynthia also have an edible garden, which provides a healthy diet for their family. Their crop includes yams, cassava, starfruit, lemons, limes, mandarins, cabbage and other vegetables.
“We have people comment to us all the time about how pristine our yard looks. We appreciate this home, and we try to keep our yard in great condition,” James said.
“The best thing is the community and the security.”
James and Cynthia won first prize in the House Garden category awarded by the Emerald Housing Service Centre.
Read James and Cynthia’s story.
Good neighbours create safe and caring communities
Grace won first prize in the Community Connections category awarded by the Fortitude Valley Housing Service Centre for her story about what it means to be a good neighbour.
Grace says friendships with neighbours start with small acts of kindness and chats.
“When you bump into them, in the garden or carpark, or taking out the bins, usually you have an opportunity to have a short chat. If you make time to have a conversation when you see them, that’s how it all starts.
Grace has especially strong connections with two of her neighbours and she shares home cooked meals. “Both give back to me in their own way and I accept graciously”.
“I feel safe here. My neighbours are house proud. I feel very blessed,” says Grace.
Jenny’s creative courtyard garden
Jenny’s creativity shines through in her prize-winning garden. First time entrant Jenny won first prize for her Courtyard Garden awarded by the Toowoomba Housing Service Centre
When Jenny moved in two years ago, there was no garden anywhere. Look at it now!
“I enjoy getting cuttings from my neighbours and repurposing items – anything quirky that can hold dirt can have a plant in it”, Jenny said.
A variety of lampshades, boots, handbags and vases feature as creative and colourful plant holders in Jenny’s garden.
“My friend often takes me to op shops, where I’ve found some wonderful items and well-worn pots that I’ve re-painted and they came out beautifully. I make do with what I have, and re-use what I can.”
Thelma inspires others with her amazing edible garden
Yorke Island resident, Thelma, takes great pride in her abundant edible garden.
“I enjoy sharing my hard work in the garden and showcasing my produce to everyone”. Thelma also encourages fellow community members to grow their own fruit and vegetables.
Thelma won first prize for her impressive garden, which includes passionfruit, bananas, pawpaw, cassava, tomatoes, pumpkin, limes, lemongrass and a variety of herbs, plants and flowers.
Thelma’s impressive passionfruit vine certainly has wow factor!
Joseph celebrates his cultural connections
Moa Island resident, Joseph, embraces his culture through sustainability, creativity and practising traditions.
“Everything I make around my home, I’ve found locally. It connects me to my home and the satisfaction of gratitude I get from my family is overwhelming. I utilise natural resources around my community, such as dried coconuts, washed up wood, shells and ghost nets. This is of great significance to my culture. I like to inspire my people and especially the younger generations to do the same. I practise my culture on a daily basis through dancing, singing, language and making crafty things in my home”.
“Each year I participate in the My Home Awards and I look forward to planting more and making my garden a wonderful place to be in for myself and families that come to visit."
Joseph won first prize in both the House Garden and Celebrating Culture categories.