RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN 2012-2015 AND 2013 REVIEW RECOGNISING THE PA S T, EMBRACING THE FUTURE. KOONGO BAILAI WORD - MEANING "PLACE OF WATER" Gladstone Ports Corporation would like to acknowledge and pay respect to the Traditional Owners of the Gladstone region, the BAILAI (BYELLEE), GOORENG GOORENG, and GURANG people, whose land we live, work and walk. We also acknowledge and pay respects to Elders past, present and future who hold the memories, the traditions, the culture and hopes of Indigenous Australia. ORIGINAL ARTWORK BY PATRICIA COLEMAN (BAILAI/BYELEE PEOPLE) OUR STORY As a commitment to its community, and taking the opportunity to turn good intentions into actions, GPC established a Reconciliation Action Plan in 2012 in association with its Future Directions Community Liaison Group and the local Indigenous and Australian South Sea Islander communities. Its goals with regards to proposed initiatives, programs and strategies both within the port and with its partners are to: • Strengthen relationships by facilitating opportunities to work cooperatively and in consultation with our Indigenous and Australian South Sea Islander community, and keeping people informed. • Foster respect through developing and implementing cultural protocols, acknowledging connection to country and promoting cultural awareness. • Increase opportunities through the development and leadership of employment and education focussed programs, initiatives and policies. • Ensure accountability by reviewing, evaluating and reporting regularly with all key stakeholders. OUR VISION FOR RECONCILIATION TO EMPOWER INDIGENOUS AND AUSTRALIAN SOUTH SEA ISLANDER PEOPLE, BY CREATING A CULTURALLY SAFE AND APPROPRIATE WORK ENVIRONMENT WHERE EACH INDIVIDUAL CAN CONTRIBUTE, LEARN AND GROW. • Attract more Indigenous and Australian South Sea Islander people to the Gladstone Ports Corporation and facilitate pathways to their employment through culturally appropriate recruitment programs. • Create and maintain supportive and culturally respectful workplaces to ensure our Indigenous and Australian South Sea Islander employees’ positive experiences lead to improved retention rates; • Provide current Indigenous and Australian South Sea Islander employees with opportunities for skills and career development; and • Provide leadership for the sustained employment of Indigenous and Australian South Sea Islander employees in GPC’s area of influence. LEFT: “Khoodghn Guparl” - original artwork by Jana Johnson (Gooreng Gooreng People). “Khoodghn Guparl” is a Gooreng Gooreng word meaning “Saltwater Bush”. OUR KEY ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2013 • Increase opportunities - Launched Talent Today - Talent Tomorrow bursary for Indigenous and Australian South Sea Islander students attending secondary schools in the Gladstone Region. • Increase opportunities - Facilitated opportunities for meaningful and sustainable Indigenous and Australian South Sea Islander employment both within GPC and with it’s project partners, e.g. Stage 1a East Shores redevelopment with Hutchinson Builders. • Increase opportunities - Indigenous and Australian South Sea Islander employment rate at GPC as of March 2014 = 3.0% (2015 Target = 3.6%). • Foster respect - Acknowledging Connection to Country signage installed at identified areas within GPC’s Marina and Spinnaker Parklands. • Foster respect - Artworked produced by local Indigenous artists, Patricia Coleman and Bindi Waugh purchased and installed at RGTCT and Yarroon Street Offices. • Strengthen relationships - The Future Directions Community Liaison Group (FDCLG) Terms of Reference and membership revised and endorsed. OUR PLANS FOR 2014 AND BEYOND Foster respect Action Timeline Promote and support key calendar events (e.g. NAIDOC Week, Reconciliation Week). August 2014 Develop and deliver Diversity and Inclusion (incorporating cultural awareness) training for GPC employees. March 2015 Develop and introduce cultural recognition protocols for GPC including Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement July 2014 of Country at appropriate events. Delivery of Stage 2 Marina and Spinnaker parklands ‘Connection to Country’ signage. June 2014 Increase opportunities Launch Talent Today, Talent Tomorrow university scholarship for Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Australian South Sea Islander students from the Gladstone Region. April 2014 Increase Indigenous and Australian South Sea Islander employment to 3.6% by March 2015, via targeted apprenticeships and traineeships and operational bulk recruitment programs. March 2015 Publish GPC Indigenous and Australian South Sea Islander Employment Specification. July 2014 Develop Indigenous and Australian South Sea Islander mentors from within GPC by way of the implementation of a Peer Support Program. December 2014 Strengthen relationships Conduct an audit of culturally significant sites on GPC owned land. June 2015 Develop and investigate options for a GPC funded community facility. From March 2014 Ensure accountability Engage the Indigenous and Australian South Sea Islander community in the development and review of RAP strategies and initiatives through the Future Directions Community Liaison Group (FDCLG). Ongoing Publish the Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Annual Review, supported by regular community updates on RAP progress. March 2015