Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan
Artwork created by Lawson Dodd (Kaurna, Narungga, Ngarrindjeri) for Butterfields Services.
Acknowledgment of country
Butterfields acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land on which we operate in, paying our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, and extend that to Elders past, present, and emerging.
We are honoured to present Butterfields’ Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), which outlines our commitments to supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples over the next 12 months.
About the artwork
This artwork depicts a vibrant flowing community and speaks to the ever-evolving nature of Butterfields. The large circular shapes are traditional symbols for a meeting place or community. Each of these meeting places is connected via journey lines and is expanding into multiple new communities.
This demonstrates the partnerships Butterfields has within and outside the company. These shapes stem from a central meeting place representing the Butterfields family. Alongside this is the Butterfields mascot, the bee, which is hard-working and provides care and support throughout the company.
The white arch-like shapes surrounding the meeting places are the traditional symbol of a person/people. Here, they represent the Butterfields employees and are shown to be engaging with each community, providing professional and high-quality service. The small arrow-like shapes are traditional Kangaroo tracks but can also symbolise a guided spiritual journey and forging ahead. Together these elements serve as a visual narration of Butterfields’ commitment to development and the community.
About the artist
This artwork was created by Lawson Dodd (Kaurna, Narungga, Ngarrindjeri) for Butterfields Services. The symbolism in this art piece is a combination of traditional and contemporary techniques.
Lawson’s specialised methods use ancient Aboriginal symbols and modern digital media to create a new and engaging platform for storytelling whilst also paying homage to his cultural background.
Our vision for reconciliation
Reconciliation Australia’s RAP Framework provides organisations with a structured approach to advance reconciliation. Each RAP suits an organisation at different stages of its reconciliation journey. There are four stages of a RAP: Reflect, Innovate, Stretch & Elevate.
Butterfields is currently implementing a Reflect RAP as part of our Corporate Social Responsibility, ensuring we expand our cultural diversity and acknowledging our role in paying the opportunities we have received forward. This document provides practical actions and goals that are clearly defined, objective-based and measurable, allowing us to outline a clear path in contributing to reconciliation within Butterfields and the communities in which we operate in.
This RAP, which will be championed by the Managing Director, will provide the necessary foundations and structure so that future stages may be as purposeful, measured, beneficial and sustainable as possible.
The Reflect stage of our RAP will:
- Expose all Butterfields employees and stakeholders to education opportunities that increase their cultural understanding and respect of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures
- Improve employment outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by furthering recruitment avenues and encouraging cultural diversity within the workplace
- Continue to provide a safe and inclusive work environment that encourages employee retention and assists in professional development
- Establish Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation as a part of the RAP Working Group that assists us in meeting our targets
Reconciliation Australia’s RAP Framework provides organisations with a structured approach to advance reconciliation. Each RAP suits an organisation at different stages of its reconciliation journey. There are four stages of a RAP: Reflect, Innovate, Stretch & Elevate.
Butterfields is currently implementing a Reflect RAP as part of our Corporate Social Responsibility, ensuring we expand our cultural diversity and acknowledging our role in paying the opportunities we have received forward. This document provides practical actions and goals that are clearly defined, objective-based and measurable, allowing us to outline a clear path in contributing to reconciliation within Butterfields and the communities in which we operate in.
This RAP, which will be championed by the Managing Director, will provide the necessary foundations and structure so that future stages may be as purposeful, measured, beneficial and sustainable as possible.
The Reflect stage of our RAP will:
- Expose all Butterfields employees and stakeholders to education opportunities that increase their cultural understanding and respect of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures
- Improve employment outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by furthering recruitment avenues and encouraging cultural diversity within the workplace
- Continue to provide a safe and inclusive work environment that encourages employee retention and assists in professional development
- Establish Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation as a part of the RAP Working Group that assists us in meeting our targets
Message from the Managing Director
Shawn Butterfield
Managing Director
Butterfields Services (Aust.)
Since our establishment, we have strived to provide a fair and inclusive workplace that respects its people and gives them a voice. Our commitment to helping people grow and develop, demonstrated by our investment in national-level cycling, forms a key focus in our RAP.
Through our reconciliation vision, Butterfields seeks to improve the skillset, cultural understanding in the workplace, and diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through internal workplace initiatives that focus on employment opportunities, education and growth.
We exist and thrive because people have provided us with opportunities to succeed. We now must pay that forward and seek to do so through our continual working relationships with Supply Nation businesses.
This Reflect stage will provide the structural foundations of our reconciliation journey. As we progress, we will investigate further avenues of support to ensure our vision is as operationally effective as possible. Likewise, as we look to progress in our cultural understanding and representation, we will consistently provide updates about our performance and initiatives.
Butterfields looks forward to witnessing its journey over the coming months as we seek to ensure better outcomes for First Nations peoples and their communities today and into the future.
Since our establishment, we have strived to provide a fair and inclusive workplace that respects its people and gives them a voice. Our commitment to helping people grow and develop, demonstrated by our investment in national-level cycling, forms a key focus in our RAP.
Through our reconciliation vision, Butterfields seeks to improve the skillset, cultural understanding in the workplace, and diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through internal workplace initiatives that focus on employment opportunities, education and growth.
We exist and thrive because people have provided us with opportunities to succeed. We now must pay that forward and seek to do so through our continual working relationships with Supply Nation businesses.
This Reflect stage will provide the structural foundations of our reconciliation journey. As we progress, we will investigate further avenues of support to ensure our vision is as operationally effective as possible. Likewise, as we look to progress in our cultural understanding and representation, we will consistently provide updates about our performance and initiatives.
Butterfields looks forward to witnessing its journey over the coming months as we seek to ensure better outcomes for First Nations peoples and their communities today and into the future.
