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Queensland Police Service - Look to the Stars Acknowledgement PlaquePrint Page Print this page

The "Look to the Stars" plaque acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands and Elders past, present and future and the significant contribution by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people towards the protection and safety of all people in our country. 

The plaque features the artwork "Look to The Stars."  As we look to the stars, the Guiding Constellation lights up the sky, illuminating our way forward through trust, relationships and respect. The artwork incorporates Sir Robert Peel’s nine principles of policing as stars. The artwork was produced by Indigenous artist Jenna Lee from Gilimbaa who worked with a specialist reference group from the QPS to inform the artwork.

"Look to the Stars" was launched by the QPS in May 2018 and serves as a visual reminder of our past, present and future engagements with all Indigenous communities throughout Queensland. Former Commissioner Ian Stewart initiated a Look to the Stars ‘Acknowledgement to Country’ plaque that is gradually being placed at all QPS establishments.

On Thursday September 6, the Queensland Police Service Commissioner Ian Stewart, unveiled Mount Isa Police Station’s Acknowledgement of Country Plaque.

The well attended community event saw partners from local Indigenous agencies attend the stations front entry, on a glorious spring morning.

On May 25, 2018 the Queensland Police Service launched the ‘Look to the Stars’ artwork, which was created with the assembly of Indigenous and specialist staff who guided its creation. It is a visual reminder of our past, our present and our future engagements with all indigenous communities throughout Queensland. The artwork has stories within stories and every element is critical to the overall story.

Commissioner Ian Stewart recognised the relevance to all cultures and said that the message depicted is true across all cultures. “We must work in partnership to build stronger relationships which are based on trust and respect whilst reflecting our core values as a modern policing service.”

It was the hope of the Mount Isa Police, that the artwork seen both on the plaque and on their special occasion polo shirts, starts many conversations, a sentiment echoed by the Commissioner,

“We envisage the artwork will invite people to start dialogue and foster and build relationships both with the Queensland Police Service family and with the community in which we serve. It is my greatest hope that it will build friendships to create a stronger future with Queensland communities.”

The Look to the Stars artwork depicted on our Acknowledgement Plaque is made up of many different traditional and contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of representing the stars, representing the diversity of star stories as well as the diversity of people to who continue to tell them.

It was fitting to have the Kalkutungu Dancers from Kalkutungu Language and Cultural Connections perform at the event, as they tell their own unique stories through narration, music and dance.

This plaque has been permanently mounted at the entrance to the Mount Isa Police Station as a permanent acknowledgement to our nation’s first people and our ongoing commitment to continue to build stronger more meaningful relationships based on trust and respect.
QPS Media, 11 September 2018. 



 

Location

Address:7 Isa Street, Mount Isa Police Station, Mount Isa, 4825
State:QLD
Area:AUS
GPS Coordinates:Lat: -20.728331
Long: 139.490861
Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate.
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Details

Monument Type:Plaque
Monument Theme:Culture
Sub-Theme:Indigenous
Artist:Jenna Lee (Gilimbaa)

Dedication

Actual Monument Dedication Date:Thursday 6th September, 2018
Front Inscription
                            [Look to the Stars Artwork]
The Queensland Police acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands, winds and waters on which we so proudly serve our community. It is a privilege and honour to be on traditional country. 

We acknowledge Elders of the past, present and future, for they are the holders of culture, knowledge, wisom and leadership that is passed from generation to generation.

We acknowledge the significant contribution of Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Island people towards the protection and safety of all in this great country we live and share. 
Source: MA
Monument details supplied by Monument Australia - www.monumentaustralia.org.au