The 2022 QBANK Everyday Heroes Awards were presented at a prestigious awards ceremony held in Brisbane on Wednesday, October 12, where four QPS staff members were recognised for achieving greatness beyond their line of work.
The annual awards program, now in its eighth year, celebrates Queensland frontline and public service workers who have gone above and beyond the call of duty across the past 12 months.
The awards give the Queensland community an opportunity to give back, with any member of the public being able to put forward a nominee for the QBANK Everyday Heroes Awards provided the nominee is eligible for the awards.
This year, four Queensland Police Service (QPS) staff members have been recognised as winners in their categories.
Category: Achievement
Through sport, in particular rugby league, A/Inspector Randall from the Townsville District, proposed the development of a partnership between the Queensland Police Service and the Bindal Sharks United Training, Employment and Sport and Recreation Aboriginal Corporation (UTESRAC).
The initiative was born out of a desire to create a culture of historical acceptance – acknowledging past practices, ensuring wrongs are not repeated and driving relationships forward in the spirit of reconciliation and togetherness through sport.
Category: Dedication
Over the past six years, Mount Isa Queensland Police Liaison Officer and Kalkadoon Elder, George Leon, affectionately known in the community as 'Uncle George', has gone well beyond the call of duty and built strong ties within the local community - supporting school students, troubled youth and struggling Indigenous children to make positive choices and believe in their own potential.
For almost 5 years, George has spent all of his time, much of it volunteer time, visiting schools and engaging with kids to encourage school attendance and bridging a gap between disengaged students and the police.
Category: Excellence
Constable Allen and Tracey know that when victims are in a financially vulnerable position or otherwise need to escape an unsafe situation quickly, there may not be an opportunity to grab the essentials, so they took it upon themselves to put together DV Crisis Packs to assist vulnerable women and have now expanded their assistance to vulnerable children and men.
Kimberly said she first had the idea when responding to a DFV job in her community.
She and Tracey decided to gather some of these personal care items from her own home and put together a few packs to be held at the Gatton Police Station for the aggrieved when needed.
Commissioner Katarina Carroll acknowledged the tremendous achievements of those recognised as both finalists and winners in the awards presentation.
"I am extremely proud of each person who has been nominated for their hard work and dedication.
"All our finalists and winners have shown unwavering passion in their roles every day, and it is great to see their hard work acknowledged," said Commissioner Carroll.
"These individuals have gone above and beyond in their core duty of service and on behalf of the Queensland community, I thank each of them."
