Kinetic connects with community to celebrate NAIDOC Week 2023

Communities across Australia came together for NAIDOC Week from July 2 to 9 and Kinetic teams were proud to take part in celebrations.

In Queensland annual community parades were held as this year’s theme, For Our Elders, was embraced by thousands. Kinetic teams proudly marched alongside First Nations community Elders, family members and friends in Cairns/Gimuy and Townsville/Thul Garrie Waja.

Kinetic buses featuring artworks reflective of Kinetic’s reconciliation journey and local community partnerships were offered to support the two parades, helping those requiring accessibility support to participate in the celebrations.

NAIDOC Week is an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the continued histories, traditions, diverse cultures and ongoing achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

This year’s theme acknowledged the role Elders play in the community as cultural knowledge holders, trailblazers, nurturers, advocates, teachers, survivors, leaders, hard workers and our loved ones.

Kinetic Managing Director, Australia Matt Carney said Kinetic was committed to acknowledging Australia’s true history and learning how to drive positive and meaningful progress towards reconciliation.

“The histories, cultures and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are so important to Australia’s identity, and each year our teams look forward to the opportunity to learn and celebrate it as part of NAIDOC Week,” said Mr Carney.

“We’ve taken deliberate steps to infuse our organisation with a deeper level of cultural awareness, but we’ve got a long way to go and this week is an important annual event to continue our journey of listening and learning.

“This year’s theme is particularly important as we are reminded of the important role Elders have played, and continue to play, as we progress our reconciliation efforts and seek opportunities to engage and collaborate with community.”

Kinetic’s team on the Gold Coast also attended the Gold Coast Titans Cultural Evening and while wet weather forced a postponement of the Titan’s annual NAIDOC community event, the day will be celebrated later in the year.

In Melbourne/ Naarm, as part of Kinetic’s partnership with the Victorian Aboriginal Childcare Agency (VACCA), Kinetic provided transport connecting young people and their families and carers with the NAIDOC Children and Family Day at Werribee Zoo.

These types of events are the time many of the agency’s families have the opportunity to gather together in person, allowing the children and their families to reconnect, learn and share culture and achievements.

Kinetic is currently developing its Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), marking another step in its ongoing commitment to fostering partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, stakeholders, and communities.

Kinetic’s team in Cairns/Gimuy last month launched ‘Moving the Mob’, a new First Nations trainee bus driver program aimed at creating genuine career pathways in transport. With several drivers now in training, a graduate may drive a Kinetic bus in next year’s NAIDOC celebrations.

Further enquiries
Barrett Gibson
GM - Marketing & Communications
0424 647 488
barrettg@wearekinetic.com