NRMA signs memorandum with Darkinjung
NRMA Ocean Beach Holiday Park has entered into a historic Memorandum of Understanding with the Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council.
It is effective until the end of 2025.
The Memorandum details plans for the First Nations community to work together with the team at NRMA Ocean Beach Holiday Park in Umina, said NRMA Parks and Resorts chief operating officer Mr Paul Davies.
The agreement aims to increase aboriginal cultural education and tourism, employment and cultural capability at Ocean Beach, he said.
"The NSW Central Coast has one of the nation's highest concentrations of aboriginal cultural heritage sites, making Ocean Beach an ideal fit for the first memorandum signed between the NRMA and a local aboriginal land council."
Darkinjung chief operating officer Mr Brendan Moyle said the signed memorandum was "the result of balanced negotiations and a real willingness to work together on behalf of both parties".
"We're thrilled to have signed the memorandum with the great team at Ocean Beach and look forward to working together and sharing our aboriginal culture with the guests," Mr Moyle said.
Mr Davies said the memorandum was an important achievement for the local community and more broadly for the organisation's 2019 Reconciliation Action Plan, which detailed its commitment to First Nations cultural heritage and enabling opportunities for employment.
"In 2022, NRMA's focus is on fostering education and employment pathways as well as economic prosperity for First Nations peoples, while offering opportunities for our guests to learn more about local aboriginal culture and make a personal connection with the local community," Mr Davies said.
The agreement opens the way for Welcome to Country ceremonies, smoking ceremonies and dance group performances, celebrations of Reconciliation and Naidoc Weeks, culturally educational signage in the natural environment, cultural tours, storytelling and education, and other cultural events led by Darkinjung.
NRMA Ocean Beach Holiday Park will provide employment opportunities for aboriginal people through traineeships and recruitment and actively seek procurement opportunities for local aboriginal organisations and service providers.
Pictured are NRMA Parks and Resorts general manager Ms Janelle Boyd, Mr Davies, Darkinjung chairman Mr Barry Duncan, NRMA indigenous engagement manager Ms Di Ellis and Mr Moyle.
SOURCE:
Media release, 20 Jun 2022
Sarah Shields, Sarah Shields PR