13 July, 2022
Oakey Police unveil First Nations plaque
In honour of NAIDOC Week, Oakey Police unveiled a new plaque inside their station which represents the Queensland Police Service’s (QPS) commitment to establishing a trusting relationship with First Nations people.
Oakey Police Officer-in-Charge Sergeant John Cook said the plaque’s artwork, ‘Look to the Stars’, was designed by Gilimbaa artist Jenna Lee of the Larrakia people and said that it features a blend of Western and First Nations symbols.
“This ceremony was meant to happen nearly three years ago, but between restrictions, lock-downs and everything else, we haven’t had an opportunity to do it,” he said.
“But in some ways I think we’ve had a win because it’s in NAIDOC Week and I can’t think of a more appropriate time.
“I wanted to put it here [at the Oakey Police Station Reception] because everyone who visits the station will see it.
“The thought that went into this, from the police and First Nations people is excellent because it respects our culture, our very recent culture compared to the First Nations culture of course, but also the incredible 60,000 years of First Nations culture.”
Charlie Rowe, Operations Manager at Carbal Medical Centre and member of the Murri Court, said collaboratively creating this plaque is the start of rebuilding relationships between First Nations people and police.
“‘Look to the Stars’ is based on the universal human experience of looking up to the stars in wonder, reflecting upon the past, contemplating the present and imagining a better future,” he said.
“‘Look to the Stars’ was the start for community leaders and police to come together to have input and values and establish trust, as this has been missing for generations.
“The mistrust between government agencies and our people has been around since colonisation.”
Darling Downs District Officer Joe Jaramazovic said he wants the local region to be at the stage where everyone within the community is respectful and acknowledges the traditional owners of the land and pays their respect and is really proud of the traditional owners.
“I see these events as small steps moving forward,” he said,
“The prime minister’s announcement for a constitutional recognition of our First Nations people is a huge step forward and one that’s been required to be taken and I look forward to that occurring.
“Having a voice in Parliament for First Nations people at the highest level is critical for us to continue this journey of recognition, following the formal apology that was made many years ago.
Superintendent Jaram-azovic said he is proud of the QPS for having these symbolic events that continue the discussion and that it’s a positive and optimistic step forward, mainly for our young people.
Toowoomba Crime Prevention Officer Tony Rehn said this commitment is about meeting First Nations people halfway.
“Our history hasn’t been the greatest, but by being here together and working together, we can make the future better,” he said.
Sgt. Rehn said the artwork featured on the plaque is a blend of Western symbols and First Nations symbols intertwined to show unity and shared values.
“You’ll see nine little dots,” he said, pointing at the plaque.
“Anybody who knows policing history, they are there to recognise the nine principals that Robert Peel put together when he first put together the metropolitan police service, that every Western police service still adheres to.
“One of those principals says that police are the community and the community are police, but police are the only ones paid to actually operate full-time on the obligations of all community members should have.
“We should all be standing up for justice, we should all be standing up and protecting each other and we are all one.
“If we are not looking after each other, we’re screwed.
“We’ve [the police] come along way in terms of relationships in this district because some of us had the guts to sit down and understand.
“I sat across the table from people I used to arrest and we said, ‘okay that was yesterday, how do we go forward now?’
Sgt. Rehn said every plaque in every Queensland police station will be this same one so that we have a consistency of commitment to First Nations people across this state.
“The one we are putting up in Newtown and Crow’s Nest is the same one here
in Oakey.”
If you would like to learn about the full story of the artwork and the artist, visit your local police station for a free booklet or visit this online link for an interactive experience at http://looktothestars.mypolice.qld.gov.au
