25th anniversary of Queensland recognition

About the anniversary

2025 marked the 25th anniversary of the Queensland Government’s formal recognition of Australian South Sea Islanders as a distinct cultural group.

The formal Recognition Statement was tabled and signed in Queensland Parliament on 7 September 2000, with Australian South SeaIslander community members watching on in the public gallery.

The Recognition Statement is on display at Parliament House. A downloadable copy is available here.

_{Queensland Government Recognition Statement Australian South Sea Islander Community. Source: Queensland Museum}

The Recognition Statement acknowledges the injustices and exploitation faced by Australian South Sea Islanders, as well as their significant contributions to the economic, cultural and social development of Queensland.

_{Australian South Sea Islanders travelled from across the state to be part of the Queensland Government Recognition Ceremony, Queensland Parliament, 7 September 2000. Source: Queensland Museum}

“… I remember sitting in the public gallery of the Queensland Parliament on the morning of 7 September 2000. People were hurrying to their chairs overlooking the Queensland Parliament. The atmosphere was exciting with a touch of apprehension as the room filled with people who had travelled from across Queensland to witness to a significant moment in Queensland’s history…”
_{Imelda Miller (7 September 2020). Queensland Australian South Sea Islanders embrace 20th Anniversary. Queensland Museum. https://blog.qm.qld.gov.au/2020/09/07/queensland-australian-south-sea-islanders-embrace-20th-anniversary/}

Celebrating 25 years of recognition

Today, Australian South Sea Islanders are recognised as a distinct cultural group with a unique history and position in Australian society. The 25th anniversary provides a valuable opportunity to reflect on the achievements and significant contributions of Australian South Sea Islanders to Queensland.

Join us in commemorating this milestone by:

• participating in events
• learning about the history of Australian South Sea Islanders
• celebrating their important role in Queensland’s story.

Commemorative artwork

In 2025, Australian South Sea Islander artist Casey Coolwell-Fisher created an artwork named “Resilience & Beauty through the Sugarcane Fields” to help commemorate the 25th anniversary of Queensland Government recognition.

“This artwork represents the resilience and beauty of our Australian South Sea Islander people, through the sugarcane fields.

The Hibiscus flowers and Cowrie shells represent the Island way of life in the South Sea.

The water is decorated in the flow of our waters and the teeth of sea creatures.

The inner artwork that is situated in-between the sugarcanes indicate entrapment of many South Sea Islanders through “Blackbirding”.

The upper red flowing line represents the blood that was shed during the misplacement and mistreatment of our people.

Our people are represented in the silhouettes in the traditional canoes signifying our resilience, knowledge of culture and how we are keeping it alive.”
_{—Casey Coolwell-Fisher}

Reflections

A variety of events were held to commemorate this significant anniversary.

Thank you to everyone who joined the celebrations, whether you visited the Australian South Sea Islander booth, participated in a local community gathering, or simply took a moment to reflect.