Brisbane Festival, the Festival Board and the Indigenous Advisory Group continues to build a Festival which expresses its respect and acknowledgment of the various Traditional Owner and Custodians of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander lands and waterways. Our respects include the Brisbane Traditional Owners of Country, along with the neighbouring communities where the works are performed and celebrated across Brisbane areas.
We acknowledge the continuing connection to land, waters, and communities where programs respectfully reflect and honour the Elders past, present and emerging.
We recognise the fundamental role Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples continue to play in the creative and artistic events and celebrations and importantly the continued engagement with the Indigenous Advisory Group and the communities. We are committed to the development of opportunities for further growing the various cultural performances across the festival.
Brisbane Festival and the Indigenous Advisory Group will continue to embrace, engage, and collaborate in partnership towards a progressive future.
Message from the Chief Executive Officer and Artistic Director
Louise Bezzina Artistic Director
Charlie Cush CEO
It is with great pride we launch Brisbane Festival’s Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan. Over the past five years, we have been the co-leaders of Brisbane Festival and have done so in close collaboration with our Indigenous Advisory Group and their individual members. We are very proud of the work Brisbane Festival has achieved in this time, not only the depth and quality of the First Nations works we have commissioned and presented on our stages, but even more so the meaningful commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples demonstrated throughout the entire organisation through collaboration, industry support, growing audiences and investment in elevating artists and community members.
This is a time of great importance in our country’s path towards reconciliation. There is a need for non-Indigenous Australians to listen deeply, enact appropriate change and find new paths in our journey to work together with the First Nations peoples of this country.
Our inaugural Innovate RAP is a step forward in this journey for the Brisbane Festival. It outlines our commitment and our vision for growing better as an organisation and growing together with the First Nations peoples of this country.
Message from the Chief Executive Officer of Reconciliation Australia
Karen Mundine Chief Executive Officer
Reconciliation Australia
Reconciliation Australia commends Brisbane Festival on the formal endorsement of its inaugural Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
Commencing an Innovate RAP is a crucial and rewarding period in an organisation’s reconciliation journey. It is a time to build strong foundations and relationships, ensuring sustainable, thoughtful, and impactful RAP outcomes into the future.
Since 2006, RAPs have provided a framework for organisations to leverage their structures and diverse spheres of influence to support the national reconciliation movement.
This Innovate RAP is both an opportunity and an invitation for Brisbane Festival to expand its understanding of its core strengths and deepen its relationship with its community, staff, and stakeholders.
By investigating and understanding the integral role it plays across its sphere of influence, Brisbane Festival will create dynamic reconciliation outcomes, supported by and aligned with its business objectives.
An Innovate RAP is the time to strengthen and develop the connections that form the lifeblood of all RAP commitments. The RAP program’s framework of relationships, respect, and opportunities emphasises not only the importance of fostering consultation and collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities, but also empowering and enabling staff to contribute to this process, as well.
With close to 3 million people now either working or studying in an organisation with a RAP, the program’s potential for impact is greater than ever. Brisbane Festival is part of a strong network of more than 2,500 corporate, government, and not-for-profit organisations that have taken goodwill and intention, and transformed it into action.
Implementing an Innovate RAP signals Brisbane Festival’s readiness to develop and strengthen relationships, engage staff and stakeholders in reconciliation, and pilot innovative strategies to ensure effective outcomes.
Getting these steps right will ensure the sustainability of future RAPs and reconciliation initiatives and provide meaningful impact toward Australia’s reconciliation journey.
Congratulations Brisbane Festival on your Innovate RAP and I look forward to following your ongoing reconciliation journey.
Message from the Ministerial Program
The Honourable Leeanne Enoch MP Minister for Treaty, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Minister for Communities and Minister for the Arts
Queensland is home to two of the world’s oldest continuous living cultures.
Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples have cared for these lands, waters and skies over thousands of generations. The Queensland Government is committed to reframing the relationship with First Nations peoples and growing greater understanding and connections with more than 65,000 years of powerful stories and rich cultures.
Brisbane Festival’s Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) marks a key point in the organisation’s own story of developing relationships, respect and opportunities with First Nations peoples.
The Innovate RAP builds on Brisbane Festival’s commitment to supporting the development and presentation of arts and cultural work by First Nations artists, companies and communities, and growing career opportunities with the First Nations creative workforce.
Through this RAP, Brisbane Festival will help deliver on the Queensland Government’s Creative Together 2020-2030 roadmap priority to elevate First Nations arts, while contributing to communities’ greater understanding of the cultural DNA that shapes Queensland’s identity.
By engaging with truth telling and healing processes, and applying the key principles of this RAP, we can all play a part in ensuring Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples, cultures and communities are integral to the stories we share now, and into the future.
A Message from the Brisbane Festival Indigenous Advisory Group
Aunty Bridget Garay (Kemer Kemer Meriam nation) – Co Chair
As members of the Brisbane Festival Indigenous Advisory Group (IAG), we have worked to support and nurture the growth of Brisbane Festival in their journey towards reconciliation. The process in developing this Reconciliation Action Plan has been informed by the contributions of the current and former members of the IAG in a long partnership in sharing of cultural knowledge with Brisbane Festival.
Through this Innovate RAP, it is our expectation that Brisbane Festival will increase their understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, cultures and protocols; improve cultural safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples working in the arts and cultural sector including government owned arts organisations and venues; position arts and culture as a platform and ensure that First Nations arts and cultural practitioners, communities and cultural materials are ethically and respectfully engaged. We acknowledge the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the current and former members of the Brisbane Festival Indigenous Advisory group, the Board, Executive and staff of Brisbane Festival for their contributions to this inaugural Innovate RAP.
Nieergoo: Spirit of the Whale Image by Atmosphere Photography. 2023.
Our Vision for Reconciliation
Brisbane Festival’s vision for reconciliation and healing is to meaningfully engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and communities in ways that acknowledge shared histories and look to the future, and embrace, grow respect for and celebrate the cultures of our First People.
We commit to working in collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to strengthen cultural and artistic relationships, particularly in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander protocols, community engagement, employment opportunities and programming which highlights the rich cultural heritage of First Peoples. The Festival’s RAP includes tangible actions that will support the Festival’s contribution to reconciliation both internally and in the wider community.
Through the development and implementation of our Innovate RAP, we aim to:
• Increase understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, cultures and protocols
• Improve cultural safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples working in the arts and cultural sector including government owned arts organisations and venues
• Position arts and culture as a platform for enabling and supporting the Path to Treaty
• Ensure that First Nations arts and cultural practitioners, communities and cultural materials are ethically and respectfully engaged
• Support achievement of the Creative Together vision for a state renewed and transformed through arts, culture and creativity (First Nations Arts and Culture Panel and Arts Queensland 2022, p. 4).
Silence. Image by Simon Wood. 2020. Jhindu-Pedro Lawrie / Karul Projects
Our Business
We are Bold, We are Brave, We are Brisbane
As detailed in our 2024 – 2027 Strategic Plan, in an era of cultural evolution and inclusivity, a new chapter for the Australian International Arts Festival has been redefined at Brisbane Festival. Our global context and connection remain vitally important. In this ever-changing world, Brisbane Festival has evolved with imaginative new major international collaborations and world firsts.
With two of the world’s longest surviving cultures in Queensland, Brisbane Festival honours the rich heritage of First Peoples. Nurturing and delivering a program that celebrates and opens meaningful connections through contemporary practice across all art forms. We do this as we work in partnership with our Indigenous Advisory Group and local artists and community.
Brisbane Festival takes centre stage as a dynamic catalyst for creativity, proudly assuming the leading role in cultivating new works and captivating fresh audiences. With an unwavering commitment to artists and making the impossible, possible, Brisbane Festival weaves together the threads of artistry, imagination and boundary pushing performances and experiences. Through championing artists and empowering visionaries, Brisbane Festival curates a vibrant tapestry of diverse voices, igniting a passionate conversation that resonates far beyond the stage.
Embracing the power of spectacle and the intimacy of connection, this cultural awakening warmly welcomes newcomers along with our committed audience, as we usher them into a captivating realm where every moment sparks inspiration and every heart finds its own melody.
We believe that a Festival should be festive and celebrate the personality of its city. The river and iconic city landmarks are our stage as an authentic and unique cultural tourism offer.
Brisbane Festival employs a workforce which grows from 15 between October and March to between 80 – 100 staff during peak delivery. First Nations identified roles at Brisbane Festival include the Artistic Associate, the Creative Producer – Communities and the IAG members who receive an annual sitting fee. Our office is based in Fortitude Valley in Brisbane, however our Festival stretches right across the city with performances and installations in suburbs, parks and theatres.
This Innovate RAP is aligned with Brisbane Festival’s Strategic Plan 2024 – 2027 and Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2023 – 2025.
West End Stories. Image by Atmosphere Photography. 2023
Uncle Adam Hopkins, Uncle Barry Tanner, Auntie Dawn Daylight, Auntie Chantay Link
Our RAP
We are guided by the following:
• Creative Australia protocols for using First Nations Cultural and Intellectual Property In The Arts document
• The Arts Queensland Creative Together 2020-2030 10-Year Roadmap for arts, culture and creativity in Queensland
• The voices of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples represented on Arts Queensland’s First Nations Art and
• Reconciliation Action Plan Framework by Reconciliation Australia
Jumoo. Image by Atmosphere Photography. 2022. Tribal Experiences
Our Reconciliation Journey
The idea to create a Reconciliation Action Plan emerged through consultations with Brisbane Festival’s Indigenous Advisory Group – comprised of key local and regional representatives of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander contemporary arts and education sectors – and then Board members, Executive and senior staff, and key stakeholders. These first discussions canvassed how we might continue to engender respect and to ensure that meaningful action occurs, through both our daily practices and our annual program of work. Our statement of intent or vision for reconciliation was born. “Brisbane Festival’s vision for reconciliation and healing is to meaningfully engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and communities in ways that acknowledge shared histories and look to the future, and embrace, grow respect for and celebrate the culture of our First Nations peoples.”
After a period of reflection and sharing, a team was formally established to oversee the development, endorsement, launch and implementation of the Brisbane Festival Reconciliation Action Plan. This working group was comprised of a cross section of staff from varying roles and departments including the CEO, Artistic Director, Administration Manager, Executive Producer, Marketing and Communications Manager, Chief Financial Officer, Partnerships Coordinator, Operations Manager. The Festival formed this group to ensure that the RAP was ingrained in Festival life, and joined by representatives of the IAG. Progress of the RAP was reported back to the IAG and Board for feedback and advice.
Since its founding as a biennial festival in 1996, Brisbane Festival has regularly embraced the cultures of First Nations peoples. Since the Festival became annual in 2009, this commitment has deepened, with a string of high-profile works. Miracle in Brisbane, with a cast including Aaron Fa’Aoso, Deborah Mailman, Djakapurra Munyarrayan and Casey Donovan, brought to vivid life Giorgio Battistelli’s opera in a production by Rhoda Roberts. The Cherbourg Walk was a symbolic 270km trek from Cherbourg to Brisbane’s Boundary
Street, covering the distance across the Festival’s 22 days, with walkers encountering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories from key figures, Elders and Traditional Owners en route.
Since 2010, we have presented a broad suite of productions centring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and their stories. Some highlights include Everybody Has a Dream, Jack Charles V the Crown, The Spirit of Lore, The Painted Ladies, HART, Yothu Yindi and the Treaty Project, Beautiful One Day, and Rovers. Major works of scale have included Ochre & Dust, Boundary Street, Black Diggers, The Shadow King, and Man With The Iron Neck. In 2015, we co-hosted the National Indigenous Theatre Forum.
In 2018 and 2019, a light-and-laser river spectacle called #CelebrateBrisbane River of Light told a local Dreamtime creation story of the river that runs through the city. Led by the local Nunukal Yuggera Aboriginal Dance Company working with Oracle Liquid, this magnificent display ran three times every night through the Festival and was seen by almost 500,000 people. It told a story that few people knew, and offered a spirit that infused the entire Festival.
Under the leadership of Artistic Director Louise Bezzina, the First Nations program at Brisbane Festival has grown significantly with at least 150 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and artsworkers being engaged in the Festival each year. Key works delivered First Nations Fashion, Jumoo, Jarrah, Silence, Kuramanunya, Nieergoo: Spirit of the Whale, Hide the Dog and many others.
Each year sees a strengthening of relationships and respect, and the formal implementation of the RAP will be another significant step towards more opportunity, reconciliation, healing and celebration.
First Nations Fashion Image by Atmosphere Photography. 2021. Ebony Doyle, Keeley Bushman , Lindyn Rowland, Perry Mooney, Jamaine Wilesmith, Pierce Jones (from left to right)
Relationships
Brisbane Festival is Queensland’s largest arts and cultural event. Our aim is to instil a belief that the Festival is as much Brisbane’s Festival as it is Brisbane Festival – an integral and necessary part of the city and state’s cultural life. A genuine and authentic relationship between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples at all levels of Brisbane Festival is essential in collaborating with the industry to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts and cultural leadership, talent and industry pathways; growing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander audiences and new audiences for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander led work.
We understand how Brisbane Festival can assist with making a positive difference amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and how we can be involved in making a positive difference amongst our staff, artists and the wider community on the journey towards reconciliation.
Focus Area: Build deeper, sustainable and active relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the arts sector.
1. Strengthen existing relationships and foster new partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members to support positive outcomes
2. Provide opportunities to all Festival employees to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander significant events including but not limited to National Reconciliation Week (NRW)
Continuously review consultation process with the IAG to ensure ongoing development of guiding principles for future engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members, including principles for cultural safety May 2024
Ensure engagement and cultural safety plan to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders and organisations, including identification and management of cultural safety risks, is an ongoing part of our Risk Management processes.
2025
June 2024
June 2025
Maintain a current contact list, in consultation with the IAG, for collaboration on community engagement initiatives, as well as for Festival invitations and regular programming updates. May 2024 May 2025
Continue to foster and uphold relationships with Traditional Owners May 2024 May 2025
Reconciliation Australia’s NRW and reconciliation materials are made available to all staff, and staff are encouraged to attend these events.
RAP Working Group members to participate in an external NRW event.
Organise at least one internal event to celebrate National Reconciliation Week and register this event on the NRW website.
May 2024 May 2025
27 May3 June 2024 & 2025 Administration Manager
27 May3 June 2024 & 2025
Relationships
3. Promote reconciliation through our sphere of influence.
Develop and implement a staff engagement strategy to raise awareness of reconciliation across our workforce. May 2024 May 2025
Share the RAP and resources from Reconciliation Australia as part of mandatory staff onboarding, and empowering staff to all actively participate in the planning and delivery of the Brisbane Festival RAP including the RAP launch event.
Communicate our commitment to reconciliation publicly, through relevant media channels and via the Brisbane Festival website.
May 2024
May 2025
4. Promote positive race relations through anti-discrimination strategies.
Explore opportunities to positively influence our external stakeholders to drive reconciliation outcomes.
June 2024
June 2025
June 2024 June 2025
and Communications
Identify organisations within our sphere of influence with a commitment to reconciliation to explore ways to support and partner and develop innovative approaches to advance our shared journeys towards reconciliation.
The Festival will make available 2 days of paid Community Service Leave to full-time staff members to volunteer for partnering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisation.
Conduct a review of HR policies and procedures to identify existing anti-discrimination provisions, and future needs.
Develop, implement, and communicate an antidiscrimination policy for our organisation in consultation with the IAG.
Ensure senior leaders undertake anti-discrimination training and are aware of Brisbane Festival zerotolerance of racism.
June 2024
June 2025 Head of Partnerships and Engagement
May 2024 May 2025
Preliminary review in Nov 2023, follow up in Nov 2024
Feb 2024
Jul 2024 & 2025
Respect
Brisbane Festival respects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, their cultures, lands and histories, and with their leadership and guidance we celebrate that deep cultural legacy. By acknowledging the enormous contributions Australia’s First Peoples have made to this Country, and collaborating with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals and communities, the Festival will fulfil its role as a cultural leader ensuring all aspects of Brisbane Festival are culturally safe, from governance and staff to creatives and audiences. By creating a progressive platform for future Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories, engagement and employment the Festival will actively position Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories as an essential part of this Country’s culture for all Australians.
Brisbane Festival is committed to making meaningful connections with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities through programming, Welcome to Country ceremonies and sharing this land’s rich cultural history with our audiences, staff, and local and international artists.
Focus Area: Publicly demonstrate the Festival’s support and recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts and cultural practice and provide education to employees to ensure Brisbane Festival is a culturally safe working environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
5. Increase understanding, value and recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories, knowledge and rights through cultural learning.
Conduct a review of cultural learning needs within our organisation. May 2024
Consult with the IAG on the development, implementation, and communication of a cultural learning strategy that promotes ongoing learning for Brisbane Festival staff. July 2024 July 2025
Develop and implement a cultural learning strategy August 2024 August 2025
Deliver Cultural Awareness training for all staff. July 2024 July 2025
Respect
6. Demonstrate respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by observing cultural protocols. Increase staff’s understanding of the purpose and significance behind cultural protocols, including Acknowledgement of Country and Welcome to Country protocols, through onboarding, training, and ongoing access to resources.
May 2024
May 2025
Undertake respect to cultural protocols within our sphere of influence by arranging Welcome to Country or Acknowledgement of Country for visiting Festival artists, and opportunities for artists to connect with the Brisbane Festival IAG and participate in cultural exchange. Sept 2024
Invite a local Traditional Owner or Custodian to provide a Welcome to Country or other appropriate cultural protocol at significant events each year.
June 2024
June 2025
August 2024
August 2025
Sept 2024
Sept 2025
Include an Acknowledgement of Country or other appropriate protocols at the commencement of important meetings.
7. Build respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories by celebrating NAIDOC Week.
RAP Working Group to participate in an external NAIDOC Week event.
June 2024
November 2024
June 2025
November 2025
July 2024
July 2025
Coordinate an internal event with staff and IAG to acknowledge NAIDOC, as part of the Festival’s commitment to ongoing learning.
Continue to review HR policies and procedures to remove barriers to staff participating in NAIDOC Week.
Promote and encourage participation in external NAIDOC events to all staff.
Brisbane Festival recognises the unique position it holds to support and influence the development of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities via programming, employment and professional development.
Brisbane Festival is passionate about exploring ways in which we can enhance understanding and acknowledgement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Brisbane Festival aims to deliver a culturally diverse program, investing in the production and presentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander works that maintain cultural integrity, and recognising the strong need for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists to have control and ownership over their art and programming. We aim to achieve this by fostering deeper connections with the local communities which will lay the foundation for Brisbane Festival to be the premier inclusive arts festival, enriching the cultural life in Brisbane.
Brisbane Festival will continue to support the development of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts and cultural sector through commissioning of new works, promoting of Queensland and Australian artists, creatives, and cultural organisations. We will also continue to engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural sector practitioners and workers in Brisbane Festival and ensure they are mentored and supported to achieve excellence.
Focus Area: To identify and make available training, employment and relationship opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across all Festival departments and develop career pathways for emerging artists and arts workers.
8. Improve employment outcomes by increasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander recruitment, retention, and professional development.
Build understanding of current Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staffing to inform future employment and professional development opportunities.
Continue to engage with the IAG and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff to consult on our recruitment, retention and professional development strategy.
Ongoing development and implementation of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander recruitment, retention and professional development strategy including facilitation of specific professional mentorships for staff.
Advertise job vacancies to effectively reach Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders.
Review HR and recruitment procedures and policies to remove barriers to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation in our workplace.
Continue researching and reviewing training pathways, internships and volunteer work to specifically engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander training institutions such as Digi Youth Arts and Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts (ACPA) and other organisations.
June 2024 June 2025
May 2024 May 2025 Lead:
IAG Secretariat
June 2024
June 2025
June 2024 June 2025
November 2024 June 2025
June 2024
June 2025 Administration
Opportunities
9. Increase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander supplier diversity to support improved economic and social outcomes.
Ongoing development, review and implementation of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander procurement strategy. June 2024 June 2025
Maintain a database of relevant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suppliers, and tracking Indigenous business spend.
Each department to research Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander contractual supplier options through consulting Black Business Finder, South East Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Chamber of Commerce, or Supply Nation and beyond.
Ongoing development and communication regarding opportunities for procurement of goods and services from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses to staff.
June 2024 June 2025
10. Provide industry support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Artists and Arts Organisations
2024 June 2025
Continue to review and update procurement practices to remove barriers to procuring goods and services from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses. June 2024 June 2025
Develop commercial relationships with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander businesses. July 2024 July 2025
Increase the dollar investment in First Nations program by 2% year on year, using 2023 as baseline
Build capacity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists through the creation of a self-determined model for developing and delivering cultural programming
Implement paid internships to emerging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts workers in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led organisations as a pathway to employment.
Governance
Brisbane Festival’s RAP actions have been incorporated into operational business plans, and the goals of our RAP are reflected in the organisation’s Strategic Plan. Implementing the RAP will be embedded in the day-to-day operations of the organisation, across all departments. Employees will be given the opportunity to share their experiences and reflect on the success of the RAP through the evaluation process. This feedback will be part of the RAP reporting. Action
11. Establish and maintain an effective RAP Working Group (RWG) to drive governance of the RAP.
Ongoing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation on the RWG.
May 2024 May 2025
Establish and apply a Terms of Reference for the RWG. June 2024 June 2025
Meet at least four times per year to drive and monitor RAP implementation.
Regular engagement with the Indigenous Advisory Group, meeting at least four times per year.
May, Aug, Nov 2024. Feb, May, Aug, Nov 2025
May, Aug, Nov 2024. Feb, May, Aug, Nov 2025 CEO
12. Provide appropriate support for effective implementation of RAP commitments.
Continue to define resource needs for RAP implementation.
Engage our senior leaders and other staff in the delivery of RAP commitments.
Define and maintain appropriate systems to track, measure and report on RAP commitments.
May, Aug, Nov 2024. Feb, Jun, Oct 2025
June 2024 June 2025
May 2024 May 2025
Appoint and maintain an internal RAP Champion from senior management. Nov 2024 Nov 2025
Continue to engage with the Indigenous Advisory Group, meeting at least four times per year.
May, Aug, Nov 2024. Feb, May, Aug, Nov 2025
Governance
13. Build accountability and transparency through reporting RAP achievements, challenges and learnings both internally and externally.
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.
June 2024 June 2025 Administration Manager
Contact Reconciliation Australia to request our unique link, to access the online RAP Impact Survey. 1 August 2024 1 August 2025
Complete and submit the annual RAP Impact Survey to Reconciliation Australia.
30 Sept 2024 30 Sept 2025
Manager
Report RAP progress to all staff and senior leaders quarterly.
Publicly report our RAP achievements, challenges and learnings, annually on the Festival’s website.
Investigate participating in Reconciliation Australia’s biennial Workplace RAP Barometer.
Submit a traffic light report to Reconciliation Australia in the lead up to the conclusion of this RAP
Mar, Jun, Oct, Dec 2024. Feb, May, Aug, Nov 2025 Administration Manager
June 2024 June 2025 Head of Marketing and Communications
May 2024 Administration Manager
May 2025 Administration Manager
14. Continue our reconciliation journey by developing our next RAP.
Review update and refresh Brisbane Festival’s RAP based on learnings, achievements and challenges and register via Reconciliation Australia’s website to begin developing our next RAP.
May 2025 CEO
Jumoo. Image by Atmosphere Photography. 2022. Tribal Experiences
About the Artwork
The Fleeting
The Fleeting – One of my favourite feelings to experience is the fleeting moment of acceptance and trust. I can’t explain it but there’s a rare moment that I experience where I realize that actually everything is working out and everyone and everything that is meant for me is already in motion towards me. Sure I can say these things but there’s a moment where I really truly believe deep down that my ancestors are around me and guiding me and that if I learn to trust that feeling I will end up where I’m meant to be and when I’m meant to be there. I’m learning to surrender to the understanding that control does not always equal the desired outcome and when we release that control we can naturally gravitate towards the spirits, environments and experiences that are meant for us. Everything is working out for me and my ancestors are protecting me. It’s time to surrender and receive.
About Rachael Sarra
Rachael Sarra’s vibrant creative practice embodies her experience as a proud mixed race, First Nations woman from Goreng Goreng Country. Driven by a belief that art and design are vital to communication, connection and culture, Rachael invites us to see the world through her eyes with bold colours and dynamic contours. Her distinct contemporary style is resonating around the world, and challenging societal perceptions of Aboriginal art and identity.
Rachael is a change-maker. She is redesigning how First Nations businesswomen navigate success while anchoring their business in culture. Building a business bigger than herself, she is committed to significant charitable donations and pro-bono work that has a tangible impact back into the community.
