Queensland Greats Awards
Subcategory of Awards — Australian Awards
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History

'The Queensland Greats Awards acknowledge individuals and institutions whose long-term or lifetime achievements played a significant role in the history and development of Queensland.'

Winners

2010 Diane Cilento 'Diane Cilento was born and raised in Queensland and is one of the first Queensland actresses to have established an international career in film, television and on the stage. Her career began at the young age of 17 when she was awarded a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and was the last person to be signed up by the late great film tycoon, Sir Alexander Korda. Starring in a long series of films including Hombre, The Agony and the Ecstasy and the cult film The Wicker Man, Diane was nominated for an Academy Award as Best Supporting Actress for the film of Tom Jones and received the New York Critic's Award playing Helen of Troy on Broadway. She performed many classic roles on television and the stage and has a distinguished career as a director and writer.' Source: www.premiers.qld.gov.au/ (Sighted 23/06/2010).
2010 Mike Ahern 'Mr Ahern has contributed to Queensland through his participation in politics, business, philanthropy and community service. Following a lengthy political career marked with innovation, fortitude and stoicism, Mr Ahern was appointed National Party leader serving as Queensland Premier for two years during a time of considerable challenge and change. After retiring from the political arena, Mr Ahern demonstrated innovation and entrepreneurship in his successful shift to business leadership where he contributed to various initiatives advancing Queensland’s interest in technology, energy and financial development. In the social arena his role in promoting the leading-edge Queensland Community Foundation is significant in encouraging a culture supporting philanthropy within the state and providing a sustainable income stream for Queensland charities.' Source: www.premiers.qld.gov.au/ (Sighted 23/06/2010).
2010 Ruth Hegarty 'Mrs Hegarty has actively pursued social justice for Indigenous people for most of her life. She was the spokesperson for the Queensland 'Stolen Wages' campaign and 'The Redress Scheme' and has participated in a number of government advisory groups including the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Board and the Domestic Violence Council. Mrs Hegarty has established, operated and supported a range of Indigenous organisations and services. Mrs Hegarty has overcome the disadvantages associated with childhood institutionalisation and the historical racial discriminatory practices of previous governments to achieve practical outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in Queensland. Mrs Hegarty is also a published writer and is known for works such as Is that You Ruthie? and My Bittersweet Journey, which document her personal history as one of the Stolen Generation and her childhood experiences of living in the Cherbourg dormitories.' Source: www.premiers.qld.gov.au/ (Sighted 23/06/2010).
2009 Kev Carmody Nationally and internationally renowned singer and songwriter Kev Carmody has worked tirelessly as an Aboriginal advocate promoting awareness of Indigenous issues through his music and academic achievements. Kev has released seven critically acclaimed albums and as a tribute to his songwriting skills, has had an album recorded by some of Australia’s most prominent recording artists. In 2008 Kev was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the University of Southern Queensland and in 2009 was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame. Kev continues to inspire people with his passionate songwriting and storytelling, and for his years of service as educator, writer and producer.
2008 Pearl Duncan
2008 Thancoupie Gloria Fletcher Dr Fletcher James has played a vital role in promoting and enhancing the image of Aboriginal culture through art and education. Dr Fletcher James has exhibited her ceramic artworks nationally and abroad, receiving great praise. She established educational facilities and programs for children and she continues to be an ambassador for Indigenous people.
2006 Geoffrey Rush

'Internationally acclaimed actor, Geoffrey Rush, has been nominated twice for an Oscar, winning one in 1996 for his astonishing performance in Shine. Geoffrey began his career in Brisbane in the 1970s, working to establish himself as a serious stage actor, primarily with the Queensland Theatre Company and, later in 1996, as a film actor when he starred in Children of the Revolution. Soon after, he scored the role of a lifetime, playing the piano prodigy, David Helfgott, in Shine. Shine took Geoffrey to Hollywood, and soon he was performing in roles in historical dramas, including Javert in Les Miserables, Walsingham in Elizabeth in 1998 and as the Marquis de Sade in Quills in 2000.' (Queensland Greats Awards 2006 citation)

2003 R. M. Williams The late Reginald Murray (R.M.) Williams is the manufacturer of reliable bush gear and clothing that is now recognised as typically Australian. Author and patron of poets, painters and handcrafters R.M. is largely responsible for the resurgence of whipmaking in Australia. Founder of the original monthly magazine Hoofs and Horns, which reports on all equestrian and rodeo events and bush news. Also a keen horseman, he participated in many horse activities including endurance riding, and was the co-founder of the Quilty One Hundred Mile Ride. The driving force behind the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame at Longreach, R.M. also helped construct the first building, being an accomplished stonemason and bricklayer. His greatest achievement, according to R.M., was raising nine children, all good citizens. As he requested, his epitaph reads “I tried”.
2003 David Malouf David Malouf is internationally recognised as one of the world's finest and most versatile contemporary writers. Since his first collection of poetry in 1962, he has published novels, short stories, collections of poetry, opera libretti and a play. His novels include Johnno, An Imaginary Life and The Great World which won the Commonwealth Writers' Prize and the Prix Femina Estranger in 1991. Remembering Babylon was shortlisted for the 1993 Booker Prize and was awarded the inaugural international IMPAC Dublin Literary Award. Antipodes, a collection of stories, won the Queensland and Victorian Premier's Literary Award and the Vance Palmer Award for Fiction. David delivered the prestigious Boyer Lectures in 1998 for the ABC.
2002 Olga Miller 'Known as Auntie, the late Olga Miller was an internationally acclaimed author and consultant on Aboriginal culture and traditions. Born in Maryborough, Auntie was an Elder of the Butchulla nation that borders Mount Bauple, Burrum Heads and Double Island Point. The Legends of Moonie Jarl was one of the first books ever authored by Aboriginal people in Australia and Auntie created the illustrations using her own style. She spent her time educating non-Indigenous Australians about pre-European history and Aboriginals on their own cultural background. Auntie was the Patron of Buallum Jarl Bah, a centre for Indigenous students studying at the University of Southern Queensland's Wide Bay Campus at Hervey Bay.' Source: /www.premiers.qld.gov.au/awards-and-recognition/ (Sighted 23/06/2010).
2002 Wayne Bennett 'Wayne Bennett’s courage, humility and undying commitment makes him one of Australia's greatest sporting coaches. Wayne played representative football for Queensland and Australia between 1971 and 1973, and began coaching in 1976. He established countless records with the clipboard and whistle, before sealing his legendary status with six premierships with the Brisbane Broncos, and four State of Origin series victories and a draw. His sporting success has also been recognised in his selection as Australian Rugby League Coach in 1998, 2004 and 2005 and a trifecta of Rugby League Coach of the Year awards 1998-2000.' Source: www.premiers.qld.gov.au/ (Sighted 23/06/2010).
2001 Robert Anderson
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