From Reconciliation Australia
Reconciliation Australia is delighted to welcome Queensland Rugby League to the Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) program and to formally endorse its inaugural Reflect RAP.
As a member of the RAP community, Queensland Rugby League joins over 1000 dedicated corporate, government, and not-for-profit organisations that have formally committed to reconciliation through the RAP program since its inception in 2006. RAP organisations across Australia are turning good intentions into positive actions, helping to build higher trust, lower prejudice, and pride in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
Reconciliation is no one single issue or agenda. Based on international research and benchmarking, Reconciliation Australia defines and measures reconciliation through five critical dimensions: race relations; equality and equity, institutional integrity; unity; and historical acceptance. All sections of the community — governments, civil society, the private sector, and Aboriginal and Strait Islander communities — have a role to play to progress these dimensions.
The RAP program provides a framework for organisations to advance reconciliation within their spheres of influence. This Reflect RAP provides Queensland Rugby League a roadmap to begin its reconciliation journey. Through implementing a Reflect RAP, Queensland Rugby League will lay the foundations for future RAPs and reconciliation initiatives.
We wish Queensland Rugby League well as it takes these first critical steps in its reconciliation journey. We encourage the organisation to embrace this journey with open hearts and minds, to grow from the challenges, and to build on the successes. As the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation reminded the nation in its final report:
"Reconciliation is hard work — it’s a long, winding and corrugated road, not a broad, paved highway. Determination and effort at all levels of government and in all sections of the community will be essential to make reconciliation a reality."
On behalf of Reconciliation Australia, I commend Queensland Rugby League on its first RAP, and look forward to following its ongoing reconciliation journey.
Karen Mundine
Chief Executive Officer
Reconciliation Australia
Queensland Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.
