Today we are proud to announce that our Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan has been formally endorsed by Reconciliation Australia and that Outdoors Queensland is now recognised as a member of the RAP network.

Our RAP Program Support Officer said, ‘On behalf of Reconciliation Australia, I would like to congratulate Outdoors Queensland on a great plan which we are pleased to endorse as a Reflect RAP’.

The Reflect RAP enables Outdoors Queensland to deepen its understanding of its sphere of influence and the unique contribution it can make to lead progress across the five dimensions of reconciliation: race relations; equality and equity; institutional integrity; unity; and historical acceptance. Getting this first step right ensures the sustainability of our future RAPs and reconciliation initiatives, and provides meaningful impact for the part we play in Australia’s reconciliation journey.

Excerpt

Outdoors Queensland has identified in our strategic plan that people regularly undertake outdoor activities in areas rich in Indigenous cultural heritage across Australia and Queensland. The cultural heritage inherent in some places can be the key drawcard that attracts visitors to those locations. Everyone in the outdoor sector has a responsibility to recognise and respect native title rights, land rights and interests, and to ensure that outdoor activities accord with the cultural and natural values of these areas. There have been instances where outdoor activities could not go forward because planning did not take into consideration local cultural protocols. This was due to a lack of cultural awareness and knowledge.

We believe that Outdoors Queensland can play a role in assisting the Queensland outdoor sectors to ensure that cultural protocols regarding customs, law, lore and codes of behaviour of a particular cultural group are followed.

We want to lead by example, and believe that establishing and implementing a Reflect RAP is the appropriate step for us at this time.