To bring our Reflect RAP to life we commissioned an Indigenous artist, Cher’nee Sutton to develop our RAP artwork, reflective of our Group’s reconciliation journey, which is displayed in both our Melbourne and North Sydney offices.
To deepen our commitment, we will now be proudly displaying this artwork on our Jemena and Zinfra fleet vehicles.
As a Group with a history of partnering with Aboriginal communities through the development of major projects such as the Northern Gas Pipeline, it’s an important visual representation to our frontline team members and community that we are serious about engaging, employing and working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Commencing with our Gas Transmission teams in Longford, Michelago, Unanderra, QGP, Tennant Creek and Mt Isa, the RAP artwork will be rolled out to new vehicle deliveries throughout 2022. In addition replicas of the artwork will also be placed in the various locations across our workforce.
We are pleased to be able to launch this initiative in line with National Reconciliation Week, (27 May to 3 June), a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements. The theme ‘Be Brave. Make Change.’ is a challenge to us all to be brave and tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation so we can make a change for all.
The steps we are taking as a business beginning with our Reflect RAP, and moving towards our Innovate RAP, demonstrates the journey we’re on to bridging the gap for reconciliation. We’re also actively involved in supporting Indigenous communities through such activities as:
The Pipeline to Success Aboriginal Mentoring Program: In 2019, Jemena joined forces with Saltbush Social Enterprises to develop a new Aboriginal Workforce Mentoring Program for disadvantaged job seekers in the Barkly region, NT. Through a range of six-month paid internships, the program is equipping participants with the mentoring and leadership skills to support other members of their local community into, and to retain, gainful employment. To date our mentors have supported more than 350 job seekers, and the program has delivered over $1.5M in social benefits to the community
Community grants: Now in its fourth year, our community grants have provided support to a wonderful range of Indigenous led and focused initiatives, including a Young Mothers Program in NSW with Gunawirra, a Caring for Country Garden with Footscray Learning Precinct (VIC) and CookSmart Program with Marathon Health in Bathurst, NSW
Donations to groups such as the KARI Foundation and Stars Foundation to support young people’s education, health and wellbeing and connection to culture.
We’re also recently announced a further $10,000 donation to Austin Health to support the installation of new Indigenous artwork at their hospital entrance, supporting a more culturally safe environment for all people to seek care.