Yarn Up events
The Yarn Ups are a justice reinvestment initiative that aims to reduce Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ unnecessary contact with the criminal justice system. The initiative focusses on a cross-agency, evidence-based and culturally safe approach to service delivery, particularly related to driving and vehicle related offending.
A Yarn Up is a scheduled event where a range of government and non-government service providers come together to deliver their services to rural, remote and urban Queensland communities. Community members can attend these events to access support with key services, such as getting a driver licence, birth certificate or blue card. Other services can include general legal advice, help with paying fines, registering to vote, setting up a bank account, and career opportunities.
Who runs the Yarn Ups?
The First Nations Justice Office leads the Yarn Ups, with support from a multi-agency working group. Sometimes we partner with community-controlled organisations to deliver these events.
What's happened so far?
Since December 2023, we have coordinated and supported 8 Yarn Up events:
- Mt Isa Licensing and Identification muster – December 2023
- Inala Community Connectors Forum – May 2024
- Toowoomba ID Connect event – September 2024
- Cherbourg Yarn Up Day – November 2024
- Mt Isa License and Identification Yarn Up – December 2024
- Yarrabah Yarn Up – May 2025
- Cherbourg Yarn Up – June 2025
- Mt Isa Licensing and Identification Yarn Up – July 2025
- Yarrabah Yarn Up – December 2025
To date, we have seen more than 1621 community members attend the events and benefit from the easy access and support provided by the agencies involved.
Looking ahead
Keep an eye out here for the latest information and news or subscribe to our e-newsletter, Kasa Yarn, to stay up to date.