Pictured (left to right): Jason Beutel, Maroochy Barambah, and Jo Levett.
Robert Bird Group (RBG) has taken a significant step in its journey toward reconciliation by unveiling a commissioned indigenous artwork at our Brisbane headquarters. The piece, created by Indigenous artist Daniel Evans, symbolises our commitment to developing our first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). The unveiling ceremony, held on 30 July 2024, brought together employees and indigenous representatives to witness this important milestone including Songwoman Maroochy Barambah, a distinguished Turrbal and Gubbi Gubbi Elder, who performed a moving Welcome to Country and shared a special song. Jason Beutel, Senior Executive Director – Service Lines, speaking at the event, emphasised the artwork’s significance:
“I believe that our commitment to this journey of reconciliation is both right, and essential as we continue to grow and develop our company and our culture with the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging at our core. As we work throughout Australia and the world, we must recognise and respect the traditional custodians of the lands on which our projects, communities and lives are founded and to now make this fundamental to our values and in doing so our company’s culture and its future.”
The artist behind ‘Wings of Courage’, Daniel Evans, is a proud Gamilroi man whose work embodies the importance of connection. A visionary artist and advocate for Indigenous communities, Evans has dedicated his life to promoting healing and understanding through contemporary Indigenous art. In ‘Wings of Courage’, he masterfully represents the concept of connection that is central to his work. The concentric circles not only symbolise RBG’s global offices but also reflect the interconnectedness of family, community, and the wider world. This echoes Evans’ belief in the power of connection to foster healing and reconciliation.
Evans’ artistic career is complemented by his commitment to supporting youth through life challenges and adversities via mentoring and fitness initiatives. Through these efforts, he seeks to reconnect Indigenous individuals with their cultural identity, values, and traditions, fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment. This theme of connection is vividly portrayed in the artwork, where the eagle – representing strength and integrity – is intrinsically linked to the land and sea, symbolising the deep connection between people and country.
“What inspired me to connect to the artwork is probably the strength and growth of the company. The main part of the artwork is the eagle, and it’s a strong bird. I think that’s what this company is. It’s strong in its values and integrity. Hopefully the reaction to my work is positive, it’s a connection about family and the people involved,” the artist noted.
This commissioning is part of our broader efforts to develop our first RAP, which is currently in the process of being endorsed by Reconciliation Australia. The RAP will outline specific actions we plan to take to contribute to reconciliation in Australia.
RAP Champion and People & Culture Manager, Jo Levett explained the importance of this step: “Developing a RAP is about more than just words on paper. It’s about creating real, lasting change in how we operate as a business and how we engage with Indigenous communities. This artwork is a visible symbol of that commitment.”
Watch the artwork unveiling video interview with RBG Founder, Robert Bird, and Indigenous Artist, Daniel Evans.