Port Adelaide chairman David Koch officially launched the plan before 540 guests at the club’s pre-game event at the Adelaide Oval.
Mr Koch said the Reconciliation Action Plan is designed to help build better relationships between the wider Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for the benefit of all Australians.
“As a club we see the launch of our Reconciliation Action Plan as another significant stage in our commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” Mr Koch said.
“Already we have a number of programs in place, most notably the Aboriginal Power Cup and Aboriginal AFL Academy, which promote equality in health, education and employment for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
“But we see our current range of programs as just a starting point. We have a strong will to do so much more.
“Port Adelaide is determined to expand on our existing community programs and play a leadership role in remote communities throughout the Central Corridor of Australia.
“These communities include the Maralinga and APY Lands who both took part in the curtain-raiser prior to our game last night.
“Our club is inspired by the many opportunities that exist to promote and respect the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and the launch of our Reconciliation Action Plan is a way of capturing and documenting our vision.”
Through Reconciliation Australia’s RAP Impact Measurement Report from September 2013, Reconciliation Australia has established that RAP organisations have:
• Employed over 25,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
• Purchased $81 million worth of goods and services from Supply Nation accredited businesses
• Provided $37.8 million towards education scholarships for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
• Provided $22.9 million worth of pro-bono support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations or communities
Reconciliation Australia’s survey also found that RAP employees are:
• Less prejudiced - 9 per cent of RAP employees versus 70 per cent of the general population
• More likely to trust Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples - 71 per cent of RAP employees versus 13 per cent of the general population
• More likely to be proud of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures - 77 per cent of RAP employees versus 51 per cent of the general population
Mr Koch said this data indicated that Reconciliation Action Plans are helping practical actions deliver positive change for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
“We strongly believe that through our Reconciliation Action Plan we can take a leadership role in changing attitudes and increasing the understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s history and culture,” Mr Koch said.
“These changes in attitudes are what drives reconciliation and demonstrates our nation’s progress toward Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
“We encourage everyone involved in the Port Adelaide football community to embrace these changes and live the intrinsic values that are the cornerstone of our Reconciliation Action Plan.”
