Queesland Government funds 41 community groups for Reconciliation Week

Joseph Guenzler - May 26, 2025

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Neville Bonner bridge will be illuminated in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flag colours for reconciliation week (Image: Supplied)

The Queensland Government has allocated more than $125,000 to support National Reconciliation Week activities across the state.

A total of $100,000 has been distributed to 41 local organisations through the 2025 Celebrating Reconciliation Grants program to fund community events. An additional $25,000 was provided to Reconciliation Queensland to mark its 25th anniversary.

Landmarks including Kurilpa and Neville Bonner bridges in Brisbane and Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville will be illuminated in the colours of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags.

The funding supports events led by Indigenous associations, community groups, businesses, schools and sporting clubs.

Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Fiona Simpson said the government was supporting organisations that contribute to reconciliation in practical ways.

"I want to congratulate Reconciliation Queensland on a remarkable 25 years of helping people across the state to unite, educate, and address past wrongs," Ms Simpson said.

Despite the apparent appreciation of the need to "educate, and address past wrongs", in October the Crisafulli government scrapped the state's truth-telling inquiry, a decision which drew criticism from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Katie Kiss, education experts, the National Network of Councils of Social Service, and other Indigenous leaders.

On Monday, Ms Simpson said the 2025 Reconciliation Week theme, Bridging Now to Next, underpinned the government's support for community foundations and improved outcomes in health, housing, and education.

"In accordance with the National Reconciliation Week theme, the Crisafulli Government believes we build a bridge to the next by establishing strong foundations, building dignity, and improving the quality of life in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities – no matter where they are located," she said.

"The Crisafulli Government is committed to practical reconciliation by delivering projects, designed in partnership with Indigenous leaders, which improve living standards in our First Australians' communities and increase access to better healthcare, housing, and education."

The grant recipients span from Cape York to Central, Western, and South East Queensland.

They include community groups, sporting organisations, arts bodies and not-for-profits.

2025 Celebrating Reconciliation Grants recipients:

Far North Queensland

AFL Cape York Limited

Playgroup Queensland

Gr8motive Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation

Aspire Cairns Community Limited

IFYS Limited

Synapse Australia

Behaviour Boost Pty Ltd

Torres Strait & Cape York Peninsula Indigenous Futsal Association