Queensland Greats Awards 2023
Recognising and honouring extraordinary individuals and institutions making meaningful contributions to, or significantly impacting the history and development of Queensland.
Nominations have closed for the 2023 program. You can still explore and discover more about the categories and previous recipients.
The 2023 Queensland Greats will be announced at a ceremony in Brisbane on Queensland Day, Tuesday 6 June 2023.
Nomination categories
Individual
For individuals who have made a significant contribution to, or whose achievements have impacted the development of Queensland.
Previous recipients

Kay McGrath OAM
Award recipient 2019
Kevin Carmody
Award recipient 2009Institution
For companies or organisations operating in Queensland that have contributed significantly to the development of Queensland.
Previous recipients

Queensland Country Women's Association
Award recipient 2019
RSPCA Queensland Inc.
Award recipient 2016Posthumous
For honouring deceased individuals who have made a significant contribution to, or whose achievements have impacted the development of Queensland.
Previous recipients

Steve Irwin
Award recipient 2015
Richard McCarthy OAM
Award recipient 20202022 awards recipients
Uncle Albert Holt Queensland Elder
Uncle Albert Holt heralds from the Bidjara Nation of Queensland. He was the first Senior Indigenous Queensland Police Liaison Officer, joining the force in 1995, and most notably helped establish the Queensland Murri courts in 2006.
Usman Khawaja Cricketer and youth and multicultural advocate
Usman Khawaja founded a program that assists youth from refugee, immigrant, Indigenous, rural, remote and low-socio economic backgrounds, through introductory cricket and educational-support.
Emeritus Professor Dr Stuart Pegg AM Burns treatment pioneer
Emeritus Professor Dr Stuart Pegg is a pioneer of burns management and has been widely recognised for his achievements in developing and providing life-saving treatment for critically ill burns patients.
Else Shepherd AM Ground breaking engineer
Else Shepherd was one of the first women to graduate in Electrical Engineering in Queensland. During her career she has fought for opportunities for the full participation of women in the engineering profession.
Professor Gracelyn Smallwood AM JP RN RM MSc PhD Bindal Birrigubba Kalkadoon and South Sea Islander woman
Professor Gracelyn Smallwood is First Nations health and human rights advocate.
Professor Peter Timms Koala conservationist
Professor Peter Timms has made landmark scientific contributions related to the major infectious disease threats to koalas, including Chlamydia and Koala Retrovirus, where he is recognised as the research authority.
Queensland Museum Network Queensland's storyteller
Queensland Museum Network is the storyteller of Queensland. The museums’ scientists and curators collect, preserve and share the natural and cultural history stories of this state, and contribute to the knowledge economy through ground-breaking research and discovery.
Mirdidingkingathi Juwarnda Sally Gabori Queensland artist
Mirdidingkingathi Juwarnda Sally Gabori (circa 1924-2015) was born on Bentinck Island in the Gulf of Carpentaria off the coast of far north Queensland. She was a celebrated contemporary Queensland Indigenous artist who made a significant international impact in the art world.