QBE focuses on Indigenous partnerships during NAIDOC Week

QBE is demonstrating its commitment to supporting and empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and people through a number of initiatives across its business to coincide with NAIDOC Week, which runs across Australia this week. 

QBE will be rolling out its refreshed Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), celebrating its partnerships with Indigenous community groups as well as hosting events and activities to promote cultural understanding among its people, across all states and territories. 

NAIDOC Week shines a light on the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and is celebrated by Indigenous communities along with Australians from all walks of life. 

This year’s theme, ‘Because of her, we can!’, focuses on the invaluable contributions that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have made to their communities, families, history and the nation. 

QBE’s NAIDOC Week itinerary includes activities held at its offices across the country, ranging from hosting guest Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander speakers and performing artists, to discussion panels among QBE’s own people including those participating in Indigenous community support program, Jawun, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander university student support program, CareerTrackers. In celebration of the theme, many of the sessions will focus on female Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander speakers and artists.

Building on the commitments included in its initial RAP in 2015, QBE will be rolling out its refreshed Innovate RAP to its people at several of the events. The RAP program is a Reconciliation Australia initiative that provides a framework for organisations to support the national reconciliation movement. 

QBE’s Innovate RAP articulates a strong focus on QBE’s commitment to developing and maintaining relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and includes practical actions to drive its contribution to reconciliation, both internally and in the communities in which it operates. 

QBE Head of Diversity and Inclusion Catherine McNair, said the refreshed RAP is a positive step towards building meaningful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

“As one of Australia’s largest insurers of Indigenous communities, refreshing our RAP is a strong symbol of our ongoing commitment to promote sustainable opportunities, in particular education and future employment pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, organisations and businesses,” Ms McNair said.

“Change starts with a conversation and NAIDOC Week is an excellent opportunity for QBE to continue to raise awareness and understanding of our shared history, reconciliation and Indigenous culture.”

Throughout NAIDOC Week, QBE will focus on its continued partnership with Jawun and support of Mission Australia’s social enterprise, Charcoal Lane. 

Charcoal Lane, supported by the QBE Foundation, provides opportunities in the hospitality industry to young people predominantly of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background, helping them to gain long-term independence and achieve their ambitions.

QBE RAP Committee Lead Kylie Glew said NAIDOC Week presents an opportunity to celebrate her heritage with her colleagues and show them how they can become involved in community activities that support the reconciliation movement.

“I am a proud Aboriginal woman, so taking the lead on our RAP working group is something that I am extremely passionate about and is very close to my heart. Sharing my culture through some of the NAIDOC Week activities is a fantastic way to promote cultural awareness and build on participation in community initiatives within the organisation.”


For further information please contact: 

QBE Media team

Tel: +61 466 028 302 
Email: externalcomms@qbe.com