G8 Education launches Reconciliation Action Plan

Early childhood education and care (ECEC) provider G8 Education has launched its Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) following months of collaboration and learning.

 

The plan’s launch coincides with the next phase of the RAP, which officially began on 22 February. The RAP, and its accompanying artwork, was unveiled at an afternoon event at Walkabout Creek, nestled in the lush grounds of Enoggera Reservoir, following a day-long workshop for the working group and its collaborators.

 

“This is when we look ahead and really start embedding all the things we talk about in our RAP; it’s time to implement and act upon our RAP goals and the group is really excited about that,” G8’s RAP Champion and Chief Education and Learning Officer Ali Evans said.

 

“It’s so great to launch the Reflect RAP, this represents where we are as an organisation and the path we are taking moving ahead.”

 

As well as the launch of the plan, the event unveiled an artwork – Growing Together, Connecting Knowledge, by Elaine Chambers-Hegarty from Cultural Grounding. 

 

The work brings together elements of children, families, educators, communities, and the diversity of the geographic reach of G8 Education centres: urban, coastal, regional and rural. Motifs in the work also represent knowledge, learning and care.

 

Many centres across the G8 Education network already have centre based RAPs, with enthusiasm for an organisation wide RPA widespread. 

 

“Everyone is really excited to acknowledge this work and how we will be implementing and embedding our goals together,” Ms Evans said.

 

“Now that we have launched, we will be reaching out to teams to continue embedding Reconciliation in our practices across all centres and plan to have regionally-based working groups to help embed this.”

 

“Everyone is really energised and we can’t wait to get started.”

 

For G8 Education CEO Pejman Okhovat the launch event was a special milestone, something he described as “an important day.” 

 

“We want this RAP to form a foundation which G8 team members and families can truly build on, to celebrate and embrace Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and culture,” he said. 

 

“There is a lot to celebrate today, but in many ways it is also just the beginning of this journey of walking and learning together.” 

 

Erin Lang, CEO of Reconciliation Queensland, Aunty Denise Proud, Aunty Merle Cashman, Uncle Bill Lowah, Monique Proud and Kate MacColl from the Nundah Office of Education also joined the celebration.