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
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands on which we live, work and play, and their continuing connection to Country.
Our purpose is to share nature with our guests, while nurturing communities, culture and the environment.
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 way that nurtures communities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and the environment.
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 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
We are committed to learning about the spiritual significance and histories of the lands that we care for.
We also seek to embrace Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ wisdom in Caring for Country, to guide how we care for the ecologically rich nature reserves, and identify opportunities to engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses across our parks and reserves.
Each year we welcome 2 million guests, reaching a significant number of Australians and international 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.
Nick Baker – CEO
MESSAGE FROM RECONCILIATION AUSTRALIA
Reconciliation Australia welcomes Reflections Holiday Parks to the Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) program with the formal endorsement of its inaugural Reflect RAP.
Reflections Holiday Parks joins a network of more than 2,200 corporate, government, and not-for-profit organisations that have made a formal commitment to reconciliation through the RAP program.
Since 2006, RAPs have provided a framework for organisations to leverage their structures and diverse spheres of influence to support the national reconciliation movement. The program’s potential for impact is greater than ever, with close to 3 million people now working or studying in an organisation with a RAP.
The four RAP types - Reflect, Innovate, Stretch and Elevate - allow RAP partners to continuously develop and strengthen reconciliation commitments in new 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 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.
These outcomes contribute towards the five dimensions of reconciliation: race relations; equality and equity; institutional integrity; unity; and historical acceptance.
It is critical to not only uphold all five dimensions of reconciliation, but also increase awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories, knowledge, and leadership across all sectors of Australian society.
This Reflect RAP enables Reflections Holiday Parks to deepen its understanding of its sphere of influence and the unique contribution it can make to lead progress across the five dimensions. Getting these first steps right will ensure the sustainability of future RAPs and reconciliation initiatives, and provide meaningful impact toward Australia’s reconciliation journey.
Congratulations Reflections Holiday Parks, welcome to the RAP program, and I look forward to following your reconciliation journey in the years to come.
Karen Mundine Chief Executive Officer Reconciliation Australia
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
• 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)
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.
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.
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 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.
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 the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land on which each park is located.
The two yarning circles on each side of the artwork represent the different Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The connectivity between Reflections and communities represents a sharing of knowledge and community connection.
At the bottom of the artwork is Country. There are multiple layers to represent the different landscapes and locations where Reflections Holiday Parks are
located. The kangaroo tracks represent the wildlife of these areas, but also represent travel and journeying, acknowledging that people travel from all over to visit Reflections’ parks. Kangaroos cannot move backwards and are a representation of moving forward to learn and grow on their reconciliation journey.
This artwork represents a connection to land and country, a connection to the wider community and the process of learning and strengthening relationships.
This artwork shows that Reflections Holiday Parks are a place for community and families to heal, repair, connect, explore and celebrate that we are living on Aboriginal land.
1. Establish and strengthen mutually beneficial relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders and organisations.
2. Build relationships through celebrating National Reconciliation Week (NRW).
Identify Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders, organisations within our local area or sphere of influence.
Jan 2023
3. Promote reconciliation through our sphere of influence.
Research best practice and principles that support partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders and organisations. Jan 2023
Circulate Reconciliation Australia’s NRW resources and reconciliation materials to our employees and guests. May 2023
RAP Working Group members to participate in an external NRW event. Jun 2023
Encourage and support employees and senior leaders to participate in at least one external event to recognise and celebrate NRW. Jun 2023
Promote NRW to all employees and arrange a cultural activity or presentation at the Basecamp office.
Encourage our park employees to attend local National Reconciliation Week events.
Jun 2023
Jun 2023
4. Promote positive race relations through antidiscrimination strategies.
Communicate our commitment to reconciliation to all employees. Feb 2023
Identify external stakeholders that our organisation can engage with on our reconciliation journey.
Identify RAP and other like-minded organisations that we could approach to collaborate with on our reconciliation journey.
2023
2023
Research best practice and policies in areas of race relations and anti-discrimination. Mar 2023
Conduct a review of HR policies and procedures to identify existing antidiscrimination provisions, and future needs.
RESPECT
5. Increase understanding, value and recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories, knowledges and rights through cultural learning.
6. Demonstrate respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by observing cultural protocols, language and heritage.
Develop a business case for increasing understanding, value and recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories, knowledges and rights within our organisation.
Conduct a review of cultural learning needs within our organisation. Mar 2023
Deliver cultural competency training to the Board, Executive, Basecamp Employees and Park Managers. Dec 2023
Increase employees’ understanding of the purpose and significance behind cultural protocols, including Acknowledgement of Country and Welcome to Country protocols.
Develop an understanding of the local Traditional Custodians of the lands and waters within our organisation’s operational area.
Feb 2023
7. Build respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories by celebrating NAIDOC Week.
Develop an understanding of the significance of Country to the local Traditional Custodians within our organisation’s operational area. Feb 2023
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
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
Raise awareness and share information amongst our employees about the meaning of NAIDOC Week.
Introduce our employees to NAIDOC Week by promoting external events in our local area.
Working Group to participate in an external NAIDOC Week event.
Kamilaroi Country, Lake Keepit
OPPORTUNITIES
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
9. Increase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander supplier diversity to support improved economic and social outcomes.
Build understanding of current Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staffing to inform future employment and professional development opportunities.
Jun 2023
Recruit an Aboriginal Engagement Officer (identified role). Nov 2022
Develop a business case for procurement from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander owned businesses.
Feb 2023
10. Build opportunities to heal Country within our reserves, re-enacting vegetation management plans with Traditional Owners.
Identify Aboriginal businesses within our local communities that we could engage as suppliers.
Mar 2023
Investigate Supply Nation membership. Dec 2023
Identify and seek to partner with local Traditional Custodians to develop a plan to protect and manage Country within our reserves.
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
Dec 2023
Wonnarua Country, Lake Glenbawn
GOVERNANCE
11. Establish and maintain an effective RAP Working Group (RWG) to drive governance of the RAP.
12. Provide appropriate support for effective implementation of RAP commitments.
Maintain a RWG to govern RAP implementation.
2023
13. Build accountability and transparency through reporting RAP achievements, challenges and learnings both internally and externally.
Maintain a Terms of Reference for the RWG. Dec 2023 EMCC
Maintain Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation on the RWG.
2023
Define resource needs for RAP implementation. Feb 2023
Engage senior leaders in the delivery of RAP commitments. Feb 2023
Maintain a senior leader to champion our RAP internally. Dec 2023
Define appropriate systems and capability to track, measure and report on RAP commitments.
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.
Contact Reconciliation Australia to request our unique link, to access the online RAP Impact Measurement Questionnaire.
Complete and submit the annual RAP Impact Measurement Questionnaire to Reconciliation Australia.
2023
14. Continue our reconciliation journey by developing our next RAP.
Abbreviations
Register via Reconciliation Australia’s website to begin developing our next RAP. Dec 2023
AEO Aboriginal Engagement Officer
EMCC Executive Manager Corporate Communication (RAP Working Group Chair)
EMHR Executive Manager Human Resources
GMCS Group Manager Corporate Services
HPO 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.
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.
