Transit Media provider, TorchMedia, has implemented its first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), which has been formally endorsed by Reconciliation Australia.

The company's commitment to reconciliation includes various initiatives such as annual donated campaigns for National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week, and a collaboration with Tribal Warrior to wrap Sydney Ferries’ Wirawi vessel, Australia's first Indigenous-run ferry, in January 2023.

TorchMedia has also worked to provide economic opportunities for Indigenous Australians, prioritising working with Supply Nation registered and certified businesses for the supply of marketing and promotional items, as well as the installation, removal, and maintenance of campaigns.

The announcement of the RAP follows TorchMedia’s 2024 NAIDOC Week campaign, which included donated media campaigns across Sydney, Canberra and Adelaide Light Rail networks and Sydney Ferries. This marks the fourth consecutive year that TorchMedia has worked with the winning artist to adapt the winning National NAIDOC Week Poster to run on transit formats.

Managing Director at TorchMedia, Kirsty Dollisson, said: “Our Reconciliation Action Plan formalises and grows TorchMedia’s ongoing dedication to reconciliation, and we are thrilled that Reconciliation Australia has endorsed our plan. As a growing media company with broadcast capability, we have the opportunity and responsibility to amplify initiatives that celebrate ideas and programs for and by Indigenous Australians. Our transit assets traverse a wide array of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lands and waters. We are committed to respecting and honouring the traditional custodians of these lands.”

The winning 2024 NAIDOC Week Poster, centred on the theme ‘Keep the Fire Burning: Blak. Loud and Proud’, was created by Deb Belyea, a Samuawgadhalgal and Torres Strait woman.

“In this work, I have depicted the hands of our ancestors that have carefully dropped a burning ember on to a fire. This ember burns hot with intensity, stoking the flames, as it combines with the new fire," said Belyea. "The linear detail shows the energy and power as cultural knowledge is transferred from our ancestors to us today. Culture is the fire that gives us knowledge, wisdom and purpose. It is our responsibility to maintain, practice, and pass on our fire to our future generations. After all, Culture keeps us Blak, Loud and Proud.”

Since 2006, Reconciliation Action Plans (RAPs) have enabled organisations to sustainably and strategically take meaningful action to advance reconciliation.