National
18 September 2024
Tonkin is excited to announce the launch of our Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). We marked this milestone with an event at our head office in Adelaide, located on the lands of the Kaurna people. Our team members across Australia joined the launch through a video link.
The event, which began with a Welcome to Country performed by Aunty Elaine Magias, marks the beginning of the key actions Tonkin will undertake over the next 12 months to embed our commitment and contribute to reconciliation in Australia. The actions and outcomes centre around growing our understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and the importance of reconciliation. This deeper understanding will allow us to better grow our relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and stakeholders across Australia.
The event, which began with a Welcome to Country performed by Aunty Elaine Magias, marks the beginning of the key actions Tonkin will undertake over the next 12 months to embed our commitment and contribute to reconciliation in Australia. The actions and outcomes centre around growing our understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and the importance of reconciliation. This deeper understanding will allow us to better grow our relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and stakeholders across Australia.
Tonkin's Clients and Growth Lead - Local Government, Christina Bruno, has taken on the role of Tonkin's RAP Chair, which will see her driving the program forward.
"We are proud to formalise our journey toward reconciliation with the introduction our Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan. Our RAP is not just a commitment, it's a crucial step toward fostering understanding, respecting and forming meaningful change within our company. It's about weaving reconciliation into our core values, and working together to achieve our commitments to contribute to better outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples."
An important part of today's launch was unveiling the stunning artwork created by Jo Miller-Robinson, a proud Wirangu woman from far west coast of South Australia. Jo's artwork, titled 'Evolve', is displayed is displayed at Tonkin's offices, and featured in the design of our RAP document.
Evolve was designed and created to support Tonkin’s commitment to cultural harmony through the development of our Reconciliation Action Plan. Evolve captures 70 years of achievement, from small local beginnings to an accomplished Nation-wide business founded on growth, success and our valued people. It represents community spirit and consultation, centring on traditional land management practices and cultural learning opportunities, whilst recognising and acknowledging First Nations People. To find out more about the meaning behind Evolve, visit our RAP page.
To wrap up the launch event, catering was offered at each Tonkin office, with a focus on First Nations-owned providers where possible. In Adelaide, Block Ya Dot catered the event, presenting a variety of sweet and savory dishes that showcased the diverse flavours of Australia.
Supported by Reconciliation Australia, Tonkin's 2024 - 2025 RAP highlights the commitments that will be implemented over the next 12 months to support First Nations peoples. Implementation of the RAP will focus on:
- Educating our people, clients, partners and peers
- Listening and learning about First Nation Cultures
- Prioritising partnerships
- Promoting the stories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples involved in the engineering consulting industry
- Being an advocate for fair and equal opportunities within our industry
- Actively planning and our resourcing RAP actions.
