GeelongPort has taken an important step in its journey to reconciliation through the release of its Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
The Innovate RAP is GeelongPort’s second RAP which will guide the organisation’s reconciliation activity through to December 2025, ensuring GeelongPort is meaningfully contributing to reconciliation in Australia.
At this week’s launch, emerging Wadawurrung artist Nikki McKenzie unveiled an incredible piece of art that she created for GeelongPort’s Innovate RAP, which tells the story of the beautiful Corio Bay and surrounds.
The report was developed in consultation with the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation and on the day Wadawurrung Traditional Owner Corrina Eccles conducted a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony.
GeelongPort CEO Brett Winter was proud of the organisation’s continued commitment to reconciliation.
“GeelongPort has taken what we have learnt from our Reflect RAP and we look forward to working closely with the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation to grow and enhance our vision for reconciliation through our Innovate RAP,” he said.
“We recognise the legacy and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to our region, our state and our country, and we are committed to continually raising the bar of our RAP ambitions with a focus on respectful connections, education and impactful outcomes.
“This RAP will see GeelongPort forge new pathways to connect more deeply, understand more intensely and influence more readily a future that honours and respects all people and the land and waters on which we live.”
GeelongPort recognises the importance of cultural heritage, reflected through our company value of Because We Live Here Too, which highlights respect for each other, our community and our shared environment in Corio Bay.
GeelongPort’s Innovate RAP can be accessed here
Emerging Wadawurrung artist Nikki McKenzie with Wadawurrung Traditional Owner Corrina Eccles and GeelongPort CEO Brett Winter.
GeelongPort’s Reconciliation Working Group with Wadawurrung artist Nikki McKenzie.