GC2018 drives Indigenous business growth, job opportunities

The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) has generated more than $14 million in contracts and revenue for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses and organisations, the Palaszczuk Government has revealed.

Commonwealth Games Minister Kate Jones said the RAP had delivered a lasting legacy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through employment, training and procurement opportunities.

“The RAP was the first of its kind for a major sporting event in Australia and the first in Commonwealth Games history,” she said.

“More than $11.2 million in contracts were awarded to Indigenous businesses – more than five times the initial target of $2.2 million.

“In addition, more than $3.4 million in grants and other revenue was generated for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses and organisations.

“The Games delivered hundreds of jobs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people including jobs for about 130 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people employed on the Parklands construction project. A further 28 young people were trained throughout the project with 18 securing employment in the construction industry.”

Assistant Tourism Industry Development Minister and Member for Gaven Meaghan Scanlon said the Preston Campbell Foundation was one of many Indigenous businesses that made the Games a success.

“The Preston Campbell Foundation was awarded one of the biggest catering contracts for non-competition venues at GC2018, catering for volunteers, workers, police and some athletes,” Ms Scanlon said.

“The Foundation provided training and employment for dozens of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people including managers, supervisors, caterers and administration staff in the lead-up to and during the Games and it has opened many opportunities for trainees and the Foundation itself.

“This is just one example of how the RAP is creating meaningful outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

“The Commonwealth Games provided a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for these people to work on the largest event in Queensland’s history.”

Preston Campbell Foundation CEO Kyel Dancey said the Games provided Indigenous people training in hospitality and catering and also allowed the Foundation to grow its commercial catering business.

“Since the successful delivery of the contract, the Preston Campbell Foundation is in a stronger position to manage large catering contracts in the future. PCF gained a vast amount of knowledge from this experience and as a result have expanded our non-funded social venture, Presto’s Catering and Events Service,” Mr Dancey said.

“A number of people that we trained have secured employment. One of our Commonwealth Games food safety supervisors has since gained a position as manager at Presto’s Café in Brisbane and a number of other staff have progressed into employment within other organisations and companies.

“We have kept a number of people on at the Foundation to help with new business through Presto’s Catering and Events Service.”

Other Indigenous businesses to deliver goods and services to the Games included PromoGear who produced GC2018 branded gear including clothing, hats, drink bottles and inflatable footballs.

Further Snap Printing who produced a variety of products including signage, badges, brochures and merchandise; and Geared Up Culcha who supplied uniforms for hundreds of bus drivers.

Other RAP initiatives included the successful Meeanjin Markets which showcased authentic Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts, crafts and experiences, and the Creating Tracks business development program which supported 160 Indigenous businesses to leverage GC2018 opportunities.

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