ABOUT US
WHO WE ARE
Formed in late 2018, the Yugambeh Region Aboriginal Corporation Alliance (YRACA) was established following the success of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018) Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), an initiative championed by local Yugambeh Community members in partnership with GC2018 organisers.
The GC2018 RAP was a first for a Commonwealth Games, a first for a major Australian sporting event and winner of the 2018 Queensland Premier’s Reconciliation Award.
YRACA’s Directorship is comprised of members of the former GC2018 Yugambeh Elders Advisory Group (YEAG) and Indigenous Working Group (IWG).
The Corporation continues to be supported by former YEAG and IWG members and other community members who have played an active role in YRACA’s establishment and collectively bring an extensive, diverse knowledge of Yugambeh traditions and culture.
YRACA is a registered corporation under the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC).
WHAT WE DO
YRACA aims to:
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champion the ambitions of its Traditional Custodian membership base
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promote and strengthen Yugambeh culture
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provide cultural services across the region and partner with established, neighbouring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community organisations to support and/or realise cultural opportunities that arise across the broader Yugambeh region
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advocate Yugambeh Lore/Law governance
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support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses that operate across the Yugambeh region
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develop strong relations with neighbouring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and;
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establish strong partnerships with key stakeholders across the Community, Business and Government sectors.
GC2018 RAP ACHIEVEMENTS
The GC2018 RAP generated more than $14 million in contracts and revenue for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses and organisations, provided employment and training for up to 1,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and supported cultural capability training and integration at events across every aspect of the Games, whilst creating lasting cultural programs and initiatives.
Some specific GC2018 RAP highlights are as follows:
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For the first time in history, First Nation Elders participated in the Queen’s Baton Relay (QBR) commencement ceremony at Buckingham Palace alongside Her Majesty, the Queen. Yugambeh Elders Patricia O’Connor and Uncle Ted Williams carried the spirit of reconciliation at the QBR launch, delivering an invitation to all First Nations People of the Commonwealth to join the celebrations of the Games on Yugambeh land.
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The Games mascot, Borobi, promoted cultural awareness through his name (‘Borobi’ meaning ‘koala’ in the Yugambeh Language) and distinctive paw prints, which were created by artist Chern’ee Sutton, whose heritage lies with the Kalkadoon people of Mount Isa.
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Elders Patricia O’Connor and Ted Williams led the Welcome to Country for the Opening Ceremony and Closing Ceremony, accompanied by Yugambeh future leader representatives Sharnie O’Connor and Clinton Brewer. Both Ceremonies included a host of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander performances and cultural displays.
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Almost 1,500 full time GC2018 staff participated in cultural intelligence competency training provided by local Aboriginal cultural service provider Banaam. Additionally, more than 50 members of GOLDOC’s senior management team took part in ‘On Country’ cultural immersion experiences.
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A “Yabru” (meaning “one” in Yugambeh language) First Nations welcome event took place on the event of GC2018 exhibiting a cultural exchange with representatives from participating Commonwealth Games Associations and local Traditional Custodians. First Nation participation comprised 26 nations with featured acknowledgements from Sri Lanka, Ghana, South Africa, Canada, the Cook Islands and New Zealand.
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The GC2018 medals were created by Aboriginal artist Delvene Cockatoo-Collins, a local Nunukul, Ngugi and Goenpul woman of Quandamooka Country, incorporating a bespoke First Peoples design influence.
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$11.2 million in contracts were awarded to Indigenous businesses – more than five times the initial target.
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More than $3.4 million in grants and other revenue was generated for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses and organisations with hundreds of jobs provided to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
OUR LOGO
The YRACA logo was designed by Cheyann Beard, a proud Nunukul/Nughi woman of the Quandamooka nation who lives and works on Yugambeh Country.
The logo depicts the following:
For thousands of years Yugambeh people have hosted neighbouring tribes in the winter time, when schools of Sea Mullet migrated past their shores, for great Sea Mullet feasts. The YRACA logo symbolises the tribes coming together for the Sea Mullet, on Yugambeh saltwater country.
