POLICE officers from across South Brisbane have gathered at Dunwich Police Station to unveil a new plaque acknowledging the strong relationships between police and local communities.
A Look to the Stars plaque was unveiled at a ceremony held on Tuesday morning at Dunwich State School.
Look to the Stars, an artwork launched in 2018, adorns uniforms and other police materials and was created by members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and the Queensland Police Service.
Dunwich State School Adopt-a-Cop and master of ceremonies Senior Constable Jai Taylor said the event was symbolic of reconciliation and also for the emerging community leaders present.
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In her Welcome to Country, Aunty Maree Goebel said she was proud of how relations on the island had grown.
She said the Look to the Stars artwork and its guiding principles offered a way forward for community members and police.
Students of Dunwich State School, local Elders and community members also watched the Look to the Stars presentation during the ceremony.
Acting Chief Superintendent Virginia Nelson spoke about the importance of this event and what it signified for the community moving forward.
"Our police here are so active in the community," Acting Chief Superintendent Nelson said.
"By us now having a connection through Look to the Stars, we can only go from strength to strength and continue our strong relationships for the present and into the future."
Acting Chief Superintendent Nelson was joined by Aunty Lyn Shirley to unveil the acknowledgement plaque, which will be placed at Dunwich Police Station.
Police Chaplain Kelly Horne closed out the ceremony with a prayer where she described the ceremony as a defining moment for the community of North Stradbroke Island.
"There are moments which define us, and there are moments which unite us," Police Chaplain Horne said.
"This ceremony today is one of those rare moments which is both defining as we draw a line in the sand of cultural change and we extend a hand to our community as we unite together."
The plaque symbolises that community members and police will champion the values which Look to the Stars represents and establish trust where there has once been mistrust.
