QUEENSLAND operator Clarks Logan City Bus Service launched its first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) to explore local employment and development opportunities with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and organisations, it announced recently.
The launch event was attended by the Attorney-General, Minister for Justice and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Shannon Fentiman and the Mayor of Logan City Council Darren Power.
Clarks ‘Reflect’ RAP 2020-21 is endorsed by Reconciliation Australia, acknowledging that Clarks is starting its reconciliation journey by scoping and developing relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders and exploring its sphere of influence, it explains.
Clarks general manager Martin Hall and RAP champion says it was an important milestone for the company, which had the full support of its stakeholders both internally and externally.
“We have developed relationships with numerous community groups in the Logan region over our 40 years of operation and this has recently grown to include the Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training,” Hall said.
“Through these collaborations and through building relationships with our local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders, we aim to gain a better understanding of how we can develop cultural awareness and capability of our people and mutually beneficial outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.”
TRUE LEADERSHIP
Minister Fentiman says the RAP shows true leadership by Clarks Logan City Bus Service in developing meaningful jobs for our diverse and growing community.
“As one of Logan’s largest employers, the Reconciliation Action Plan is such an important initiative in developing cultural awareness with our First Nations people, so we can build and foster harmonious communities,” she said.
Minister for Seniors, Disability Services and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Craig Crawford says the Palaszczuk Government strongly encourages businesses and organisations to join the state’s journey to reconciliation.
“It’s wonderful to see Clarks Logan City Bus Service launch a Reconciliation Action Plan as part of a genuine commitment to engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders, including Elders and young people, to build the company’s cultural capability,” Minister Crawford said.
“A planned approach to reconciliation will help enhance services, build workforce capability and drive economic opportunities.”
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CREATING CONNECTIONS
As part of Clarks RAP design, Casey Coolwell – a Quandamooka woman with traditional ties to North Stradbroke Island – developed the artwork ‘Creating Connections’, representing the development process of creating connections throughout the community.
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Photography: courtesy Clarks Logan City