The National Trust Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary hosted the launch of the National Trust of Australia’s (Queensland) (NTAQ) inaugural Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) in a momentous celebration for the organisation on Wednesday 22 August. The ceremony was held at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary’s newly renovated Aboriginal Cultural and Dance Show area, initiated with storytelling through dance led by Luther Cora and the Yugambeh dancers, followed by formalities from National Trust of Australia’s (Queensland) CEO Jonathan Fisher.
Jonathan stated that NTAQ has a proud history of recognising and celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and is excited to announce that the RAP has been formally endorsed by Reconciliation Australia. “The National Trust of Australia (Queensland) is a membership based community organisation that works to protect, conserve and celebrate the environmental, built and cultural heritage of our State,” said Jonathan. “Through a long-standing commitment to Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, peoples, cultures and histories, we are committed to building on existing relationships and creating further opportunities.”
The National Trust of Australia (Queensland) believes it can play an important role in creating a future where communities can work together to celebrate their similarities and differences. The RAP consists of 71 deliverables by 2020 and identifies NTAQ’s commitment to existing relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders with areas of focus including employment, education, procurement, design and delivery of their product and services. Split into two stages, it will be established on the Gold Coast at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary – the largest NTAQ property of 12 – and expand to the other regions of Brisbane, North and Far North Queensland.
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