Netball Queensland has taken a significant step forward on its cultural journey by launching its Reconciliation Action plan (RAP).
The launch took place in a moving and powerful event at Nissan Arena with representatives from Netball Queensland’s First Nations Advisory Committee, RAP Working Group and Netball Queensland partners, staff members and the Queensland Firebirds team all in attendance.
Other special guests included John Paul Langebroek, Shadow Minister for Seniors, Communities and Disability Services, and Shadow Minister for Multiculturalism and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and Robyn Littlewood, CEO of Health & Wellbeing Queensland.
Netball Queensland CEO Kate Davies said she was honoured to be RAP Champion and would take great pride in having that responsibility.
“As stated by Reconciliation Australia, ‘at its heart, reconciliation is about strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples, for the benefit of all Australians’” Davies explained.
“The RAP signifies Netball Queensland’s formal organisational commitment to hold itself accountable in turning intentions into practical, meaningful actions and outcomes.
“My commitment as leader of this organisation, is that Netball Queensland will provide the environment for all Netball Queensland staff and athletes to thrive and feel supported and respected at all times.”
Playing an integral part in bringing this to life is Netball Queensland RAP Advisor, Grace Sarra, who joined the organisation last year to lead this.
Sarra, a proud Gooreng Gooreng and Taribelang woman whose Aboriginal ancestors dwell in the Bundaberg area, said it was an overwhelming feeling to see the RAP launched.
“We always live by the mantra that our sport is stronger when we are united and the launch of the RAP again highlights that we are committed to this cause,” Sarra said.
“The RAP is imperative to our ongoing cultural journey of respecting and celebrating First Nations peoples’ contributions to Netball.
“There is still a lot more work to be done by us all, though I am proud of everyone involved at Netball Queensland to be leading and so proactive on this.”
A special feature of the RAP Launch was the accompanying artwork from renowned First Nations artist Rachael Sarra – which helps tell the story of Netball Queensland’s cultural journey.
Sarra, who created the organisation’s first artwork, explained that the latest piece was an evolution of the Uniting Flames artwork launched in 2018.
The proud First Nations woman from Goreng Goreng Country consulted with the Netball Queensland’s RAP Working Group to get a strong understanding of how it wanted to be represent by her artwork.
“This process allows the artwork to be developed not only to look great but to be treated like a commitment or a call to action for everyone within Netball Queensland.
“When people feel included and heard, powerful things can happen, and this is a two-way journey.
“This part of the story acknowledges that there have been some short fallings but with healing smoke and new energy we can learn and move forward to better represent culture.”
In addition to Sarra’s feature piece titled – The Future Reignited. Healing Smoke, Uniting Flames – she also created a culture safety symbol called Our Heart.
This is another symbol of commitment to ensure that every First Nations player, supporter, and staff member feels safe, heard and seen.
