Reconciliation Action Plans
Acknowledgement of Country
The Foundation acknowledges the Kulin Nation as the First Peoples, Traditional Owners and Custodians of the waterways and of the land upon which we live and work. We acknowledge and pay our respect to their Elders past, present and emerging. We extend that respect to all First Peoples across Australia.
The Foundation particularly acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung on whose Country our office is located.
Our vision for reconciliation
Our vision for reconciliation is a just and inclusive society that respects and celebrates First Nations cultures and communities and is truthful about our country’s histories. We believe this can be achieved through working with First Nations people and communities while respecting and supporting their rights to self-determination. We recognise social justice, community inclusion, cultural respect and self-determination as the basis for addressing gambling harm in First Nations communities.
In 2019–2021 we delivered our inaugural Innovate RAP with the guidance, cultural oversight and participation of First Nations stakeholders.
In our second Innovate RAP (2021–2023) we focus on strengthening relationships with First Nations people and communities, improving employment and business opportunities, better using our communication channels to share stories, and increasing our understanding of First Nations cultural and community protocols across Victoria.
Our journey to date
Our reconciliation journey
The report summarises what we learned as we embarked on our Reconciliation Action Plans and strengthened our relationships with our First Nations partners and stakeholders.
Our first Innovate RAP (2019–2021)
Our inaugural Innovate RAP was launched in November 2019 at a formal event in Parliament House, Victoria.
We are extremely proud of the work completed as part of our first RAP, particularly given that much of it was undertaken during a pandemic. We are grateful for the time given to our RAP by the Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations with which we work during a period when their communities were at very high risk from COVID-19.
While the pandemic affected the Foundation’s ability to implement some of the deliverables outlined in the inaugural RAP, we were able to implement most key activities by the November 2021 end date.
Download our INNOVATE RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN (November 2019–November 2021)
Above: Highlights of the event held in November 2019 to launch the Foundation's inaugural Innovate RAP.
Our second Innovate RAP (2021–2023)
In December 2021, we launched our second Innovate RAP via an online event attended by our First Nations colleagues, other partners, stakeholders and friends.
The Foundation is excited to continue the process of reconciliation and work with our First Nations stakeholders on the focus areas outlined in our second RAP. The decision was made to develop a second Innovate RAP to best reflect the Foundation’s organisational readiness and capacity to fully embed the progress made to date, and to support our progress on our reconciliation journey.
Download our INNOVATE RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN (November 2021–November 2023)
Above: Highlights of the online launch event for the Foundation's second Innovate RAP.
Focus areas of our second Innovate RAP
Much of the work undertaken in the first RAP has become ‘business as usual’ and is embedded in our organisational culture, policies and procedures. The First Nations organisations with which we collaborate have told us that their priorities for this second RAP are for the Foundation to:
- strengthen opportunities for existing Foundation staff to build relationships with First Nations communities and peoples
- continue recruiting and retaining First Nations staff, consultants and advisers
- create prosperity in communities by purchasing goods and services from First Nations businesses
- find opportunities, through the various communication channels we manage, to share positive stories of First Nations people and communities
- continue to build the Foundation’s respect for, and understanding of, cultural and community protocols across Victoria, including in rural areas.
These new or strengthened directions give our second RAP more depth and vitality, and we are eager to continue our work.
Scorecards
Artwork acknowledgement
Emblem
The rosella emblem was developed by Marcus Lee in 2017, in collaboration with the then Aboriginal Communities’ Gambling Awareness Program. The rosella represents an Elder flying across Victoria, taking care of the people and Country.
Reconciliation Action Plan artwork
The artwork featured in our first and second Innovate RAPs was designed by Dixon Patten (Gunnai and Yorta Yorta) from Bayila Creative.
This artwork represents Elders, First Nations organisations, the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation and the community coming together to prevent and reduce gambling harm in First Nations communities.
Naming convention
The Foundation’s work involves collaboration with First Nations communities, leaders, Elders and Traditional Owners in Victoria. When describing this work, we primarily use the terms ‘First Peoples’ and ‘First Nations’. However, we adapt our language to reflect community usage and may use ‘Aboriginal’ when describing specific Victorian organisations, projects or programs, as appropriate.
Uluru Statement from the Heart
The Foundation supports the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
Feedback
If you wish to provide feedback on our Reconciliation Action Plans, or would like more information, please contact:
Roberta Donovan, Branch Head, Strategic Communication and Marketing
Email: roberta.donovan@vgccc.vic.gov.au