Reconciliation Action Plan - Reflections Holidays

REFLECTIONS HOLIDAY PARKS REFLECT RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN (RAP) JANUARY 2023 - JANUARY 2024

Acknowledgement of Country Reflections Holiday Parks would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands on which we live, work and play.

We value their cultures, identities and continuing connection to Country, waters, kin and community.

We pay our respect to Elders past and present and are committed to building positive, sustainable relationships with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities within New South Wales

Cover artwork © Leticia Anne Designs 2022

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CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

2

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR & CEO

5

MESSAGE FROM RECONCILIATION AUSTRALIA

6

OUR COMMITMENT TO RECONCILIATION

7

OUR RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN (RAP)

7

ARTIST PROFILE

9

RELATIONSHIPS

10

RESPECT

11

OPPORTUNITIES

12

GOVERNANCE

13

Worimi Country, Seal Rocks

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Worimi Country, Seal Rocks

A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR & CEO We acknowledge the Traditional Owners and

We are committed to learning about the spiritual

Custodians of the lands on which we live, work and

significance and histories of the lands that we care for.

play, and their continuing connection to Country.

We also seek to embrace Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Our purpose is to share nature with our guests, while

Islander peoples’ wisdom in Caring for Country, to guide

nurturing communities, culture and the environment.

how we care for the ecologically rich nature reserves,

To care for parks and reserves on behalf of the people of New South Wales is a great privilege and responsibility, and we are committed to doing this in a

and identify opportunities to engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses across our parks and reserves.

way that nurtures communities, Aboriginal and Torres

Each year we welcome 2 million guests, reaching a

Strait Islander cultures and the environment.

significant number of Australians and international

Through this Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) we aim to share our vision for how Reflections can contribute to reconciliation – our genuine intention is to walk alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, to build trusted relationships and to listen and learn about their histories and cultures.

We also identify how we can use our sphere of influence to advance respect, relationships and opportunities, contributing to more opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, now and

visitors. We have an opportunity to introduce them to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and contribute to greater understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories and wisdoms.

This Reflect RAP is the foundation, paving the way for future RAPs. We are committed to the actions identified in this RAP and look forward to reporting on the outcomes that we achieve in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

for future generations.

As we begin our journey towards reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, we seek to listen, learn and identify how we can walk together.

We will identify whose Country our parks are located on. We will support each park manager to develop a relationship with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in their local community.

Wendy Machin – Chair

Nick Baker – CEO

MESSAGE FROM RECONCILIATION AUSTRALIA Reconciliation Australia welcomes Reflections Holiday

These outcomes contribute towards the five

Parks to the Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) program

dimensions of reconciliation: race relations; equality

with the formal endorsement of its inaugural

and equity; institutional integrity; unity; and historical

Reflect RAP.

acceptance.

Reflections Holiday Parks joins a network of more

It is critical to not only uphold all five dimensions of

than 2,200 corporate, government, and not-for-profit

reconciliation, but also increase awareness of Aboriginal

organisations that have made a formal commitment to

and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories, knowledge,

reconciliation through the RAP program.

and leadership across all sectors of Australian society.

Since 2006, RAPs have provided a framework

This Reflect RAP enables Reflections Holiday Parks to

for organisations to leverage their structures and

deepen its understanding of its sphere of influence and

diverse spheres of influence to support the national

the unique contribution it can make to lead progress

reconciliation movement. The program’s potential

across the five dimensions. Getting these first steps

for impact is greater than ever, with close to 3 million

right will ensure the sustainability of future RAPs and

people now working or studying in an organisation

reconciliation initiatives, and provide meaningful impact

with a RAP.

toward Australia’s reconciliation journey.

The four RAP types - Reflect, Innovate, Stretch and

Congratulations Reflections Holiday Parks, welcome to

Elevate - allow RAP partners to continuously develop

the RAP program, and I look forward to following your

and strengthen reconciliation commitments in new

reconciliation journey in the years to come.

ways. This Reflect RAP will lay the foundations, priming the workplace for future RAPs and reconciliation initiatives.

The RAP program’s strength is its framework of

Karen Mundine Chief Executive Officer Reconciliation Australia

relationships, respect, and opportunities, allowing an organisation to strategically set its reconciliation commitments in line with its own business objectives, for the most effective outcomes.

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Wonnarua Country, Lake Glenbawn

OUR COMMITMENT TO RECONCILIATION About Reflections Reflections Holiday Parks (Reflections) is a leading nature-driven escapes organisation and the largest holiday park operator in NSW. It operates 36 holiday parks and cares for 43 community Crown reserves over 9,289 hectares within NSW. Reflections is a profit for purpose organisation, reinvesting any surplus in the parks and nature reserves for the benefit of the people of NSW. Our core business is providing holiday accommodation, hosting day visits to our parks, and caring for community nature reserves which are home to precious native flora and fauna. The lands and waters that we care for are rich with local Aboriginal histories, the world’s oldest continuous living cultures.

We operate in New South Wales which encompasses the following Aboriginal Nations. These Nations being home to several clan and language groups.

• Bundjalung • Gumbaynggirr • Biripi • Worimi • Yuin • Kamilaroi

Currently, our organisation has one identified Aboriginal employment position. While the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff is currently not known, we will work within this RAP to determine culturally appropriate ways to understand this.

Our RAP Developing a RAP is our first step towards building relationships with the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands on which we operate.

Developing a RAP will ensure that the interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are protected and will provide tangible benefits for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

The development and implementation of this RAP is aligned to Reflections 2030 Strategic Plan through the “Cultural Stream” which reiterates Reflections’ commitment towards reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

A RAP Working Group, which includes Aboriginal employees within Reflections, has been formed to implement a range of actions and deliverables to advance our reconciliation journey. These will be presented and endorsed by the Executive and Board of Reflections. We have a Minyungbal Bundjalung woman as a Director on our Board.

• Wonnarua • Wiradjuri With further expansion of our operations we will possibly move into other Aboriginal Nations.

Our workforce (employees and contractors) comprises 315 people across coastal and inland NSW including: • Basecamp office located in Newcastle (Awabakal Country) • 27 coastal parks, north to Brunswick Heads (Bundjalung Country) and south to Eden (Yuin Country) • 9 inland parks, north to Copeton Waters (Kamilaroi Country) and south-west to Burrinjuck Waters (Wiradjuri Country)

Gummipingal Worimi Man, Shawn Stowe, performing a Smoking Ceremony at Jimmys Beach (Worimi Country).

OUR COMMITMENT TO RECONCILIATION Our RAP Champion, the Executive Manager Corporate Communications, will communicate and report on these actions and deliverables to our Executive, Board and employees of Reflections. The Board is committed to achieving the outcomes of this RAP and will maintain oversight of delivery.

Our Commitment Reflections acknowledges and honours the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of Australia as the Nation’s First Peoples and recognises that as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of this country have a spiritual, social, cultural and economic relationship with their traditional lands and waters and have made and continue to make a unique and lasting contribution to the identity of this land.

Reflections is committed to advancing the reconciliation movement by building positive, sustainable relationships with the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land on which we operate.

The significance that our park lands have to the Traditional Owners and Custodians will be recognised and highlighted by showcasing and sharing their unique position as the oldest surviving continuous cultures in the world. This will provide our guests and park employees with a positive understanding of the importance of these lands and waterways to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This will ensure that Reflections Holiday Parks are not just a place for our guests to stay, but a place to connect with culture and be part of this enduring story.

To improve delivery of services to our parks and community, basecamp employees will seek to partner with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to embrace culture and knowledge.

Building relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders will also provide ongoing economic opportunities through employment and/ or support of local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses. Under our RAP we will also improve and integrate the procurement of services from Aboriginal businesses and suppliers.

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Our Partnerships and Current Activities Alongside the development of our RAP: • We introduced an Acknowledgement of Country at our weekly One Team meetings.

• The CEO of Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council and the Murrook Cultural Centre, Andrew Smith, presented at our employee conference and shared his culture.

• We developed a plan to connect park managers with the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands on which they work, including Local Aboriginal Land Councils and operators of cultural tourism businesses.

• Park managers began to engage with cultural tourism operators and Local Aboriginal Land Councils to introduce cultural activities for guests.

• We formed a RAP Working Group, which includes Aboriginal and non-Indigenous employees • We held a Leadership Team workshop at a local Aboriginal conference centre, Yamuloong, and were provided with a presentation on bush tucker.

• Employees from our Basecamp office attended the Awabakal Newcastle NAIDOC Week march and community event.

• Our RAP Working Group held a presentation for employees about National Reconciliation Week and Reconciliation Action Plans.

• We developed a business case with Crown Lands for the employment of an Aboriginal Engagement Officer role to contribute to the development of cultural tourism partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

• We attended a Supply Nation workshop.

• We attended a RAPs in the Region Learning Circle at the Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council’s Murrook Cultural Centre.

• Basecamp employees participated in an art workshop about Aboriginal symbols.

ARTIST PROFILE Lauren Henry Lauren Henry is a proud Wodi Wodi and Walbunja person from the Yuin Nation on the South Coast of NSW. Lauren uses artworks as a medium to tell stories and to connect those around them to dig deeper in their learnings of First Nations’ culture.

Lauren has been a part of the Leticia Anne Designs team as an employee since February 2022 as a Junior Graphic Designer and Program Support. She holds a background in Health promotion, policy writing and group workshop development. Lauren works alongside Leticia, as well as a team of deadly creatives.

© Leticia Anne Designs

Leticia Anne Designs is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander run small businesses. They do this by helping to build impactful brands and embracing empowerment and confidence through sharing their branding and business within communities across all the incredible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nations.

The Artwork Lauren’s artwork, pictured above, represents

located. The kangaroo tracks represent the wildlife of

Reflections Holiday Parks’ commitment to

these areas, but also represent travel and journeying,

reconciliation.

acknowledging that people travel from all over to visit

At the centre of the artwork is a yarning circle that represents Reflections Holiday Parks. This yarning circle has two layers of people – Reflections’ employees and

Reflections’ parks. Kangaroos cannot move backwards and are a representation of moving forward to learn and grow on their reconciliation journey.

the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land on

This artwork represents a connection to land and

which each park is located.

country, a connection to the wider community and the

The two yarning circles on each side of the artwork

process of learning and strengthening relationships.

represent the different Aboriginal and Torres Strait

This artwork shows that Reflections Holiday Parks

Islander communities. The connectivity between

are a place for community and families to heal, repair,

Reflections and communities represents a sharing of

connect, explore and celebrate that we are living on

knowledge and community connection.

Aboriginal land.

At the bottom of the artwork is Country. There are multiple layers to represent the different landscapes and locations where Reflections Holiday Parks are Wiradjuri Country, Burrinjuck

RELATIONSHIPS Action

Deliverable

Timeline

Responsibility

1. Establish and strengthen mutually beneficial relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders and organisations.

Identify Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders, organisations within our local area or sphere of influence.

Jan 2023

AEO

Research best practice and principles that support partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders and organisations.

Jan 2023

AEO

2. Build relationships through celebrating National Reconciliation Week (NRW).

Circulate Reconciliation Australia’s NRW resources and reconciliation materials to our employees and guests.

May 2023

EMCC

RAP Working Group members to participate in an external NRW event.

Jun 2023

EMCC

Encourage and support employees and senior leaders to participate in at least one external event to recognise and celebrate NRW.

Jun 2023

EMCC

Promote NRW to all employees and arrange a cultural activity or presentation at the Basecamp office.

Jun 2023

EMCC

Encourage our park employees to attend local National Reconciliation Week events.

Jun 2023

HPO

Communicate our commitment to reconciliation to all employees.

Feb 2023

EMCC

Identify external stakeholders that our organisation can engage with on our reconciliation journey.

Jan 2023

AEO

Identify RAP and other like-minded organisations that we could approach to collaborate with on our reconciliation journey.

Jan 2023

AEO

Research best practice and policies in areas of race relations and anti-discrimination.

Mar 2023

EMHR

Conduct a review of HR policies and procedures to identify existing antidiscrimination provisions, and future needs.

Mar 2023

EMHR

3. Promote reconciliation through our sphere of influence.

4. Promote positive race relations through antidiscrimination strategies.

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RESPECT Action

Deliverable

Timeline

Responsibility

5. Increase understanding, value and recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories, knowledges and rights through cultural learning.

Develop a business case for increasing understanding, value and recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories, knowledges and rights within our organisation.

Dec 2023

EMCC

Conduct a review of cultural learning needs within our organisation.

Mar 2023

EMHR

Deliver cultural competency training to the Board, Executive, Basecamp Employees and Park Managers.

Dec 2023

EMHR

Increase employees’ understanding of the purpose and significance behind cultural protocols, including Acknowledgement of Country and Welcome to Country protocols.

Dec 2022

EMCC

Develop an understanding of the local Traditional Custodians of the lands and waters within our organisation’s operational area.

Feb 2023

AEO

Develop an understanding of the significance of Country to the local Traditional Custodians within our organisation’s operational area.

Feb 2023

AEO

Host forums/meetings with local Traditional Custodians to seek best practice regarding the sharing and showcasing of their cultures, languages and knowledges within our organisation’s operational area.

Apr 2023

AEO

Create a space where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and knowledges are visible through the use of language, signage, artwork/displays, flying of flags and Acknowledgements of Country.

Apr 2023

AEO

Raise awareness and share information amongst our employees about the meaning of NAIDOC Week.

June 2023

EMCC

Introduce our employees to NAIDOC Week by promoting external events in our local area.

June 2023

EMCC

RAP Working Group to participate in an external NAIDOC Week event.

Jul 2023

EMCC

6. Demonstrate respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by observing cultural protocols, language and heritage.

7. Build respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories by celebrating NAIDOC Week.

Kamilaroi Country, Lake Keepit

OPPORTUNITIES Action

Deliverable

Timeline

Responsibility

8. Improve employment outcomes by increasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander recruitment, retention and professional development.

Develop a business case for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment within our organisation.

Aug 2023

EMHR

Build understanding of current Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staffing to inform future employment and professional development opportunities.

Jun 2023

EMHR

Recruit an Aboriginal Engagement Officer (identified role).

Nov 2022

EMCC

Develop a business case for procurement from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander owned businesses.

Feb 2023

GMCS

Identify Aboriginal businesses within our local communities that we could engage as suppliers.

Mar 2023

GMCS

Investigate Supply Nation membership.

Dec 2023

GMCS

Identify and seek to partner with local Traditional Custodians to develop a plan to protect and manage Country within our reserves.

Dec 2023

HPO

Scope opportunities to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities with the purpose to heal Country within our reserves, re-enacting vegetation management plans in line with local cultural protocols.

Dec 2023

HPO

9. Increase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander supplier diversity to support improved economic and social outcomes.

10. Build opportunities to heal Country within our reserves, re-enacting vegetation management plans with Traditional Owners.

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Wonnarua Country, Lake Glenbawn

GOVERNANCE Action

Deliverable

Timeline

Responsibility

11. Establish and maintain an effective RAP Working Group (RWG) to drive governance of the RAP.

Maintain a RWG to govern RAP implementation.

Dec 2023

EMCC

Maintain a Terms of Reference for the RWG.

Dec 2023

EMCC

Maintain Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation on the RWG.

Dec 2023

EMCC

Define resource needs for RAP implementation.

Feb 2023

EMCC

Engage senior leaders in the delivery of RAP commitments.

Feb 2023

EMCC

Maintain a senior leader to champion our RAP internally.

Dec 2023

CEO

Define appropriate systems and capability to track, measure and report on RAP commitments.

Feb 2023

EMCC

Contact Reconciliation Australia to verify that our primary and secondary contact details are up to date, to ensure we do not miss out on important RAP correspondence.

Jun 2023

EMCC

Contact Reconciliation Australia to request our unique link, to access the online RAP Impact Measurement Questionnaire.

Aug 2023

EMCC

Complete and submit the annual RAP Impact Measurement Questionnaire to Reconciliation Australia.

Sep 2023

EMCC

Register via Reconciliation Australia’s website to begin developing our next RAP.

Dec 2023

EMCC

12. Provide appropriate support for effective implementation of RAP commitments.

13. Build accountability and transparency through reporting RAP achievements, challenges and learnings both internally and externally.

14. Continue our reconciliation journey by developing our next RAP.

Abbreviations AEO EMCC EMHR GMCS HPO

Aboriginal Engagement Officer Executive Manager Corporate Communication (RAP Working Group Chair) Executive Manager Human Resources Group Manager Corporate Services Head of Park Operations

ARTWORK ELEMENTS & MEANINGS

Country & Community This symbol represents the different countries on which Reflections Holiday Parks stand. The connectivity between Reflections Holiday Parks and community represent a sharing of knowledge and community connections.

Middle Yarning Circle This symbol represents a coming together of people, a place for community and families to heal, repair, connect, explore and celebrate that we are living on Aboriginal land.

Yarning Circle This symbols represents Reflections Holiday Parks, the people that work at Reflections and also the communities of the land on which Reflections Holiday Parks stand.

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Elements and meanings by Wodi Wodi Artist, Lauren Henry © Leticia Anne Designs

Stars This symbol represents the stars. Our First Nations people had connections to Country, skies, seas and the stars. This is a representation of the night sky and the stars that guide us through the night.

Ancestors Our Ancestors guide us through life’s journey. They cared for this land before us and guide us to care for this land while we are here. They also equip us and teach us to pass on our knowledge for our Elders to come, after we have gone back to the dreaming.

© Reflections Holiday Parks 2023 For more information about this RAP, please contact Lauren Eyles, Executive Manager Corporate Communication M 0460 030 846 E lauren.eyles@reflectionsholiday.com.au