Crawford & Company (Crawford) has launched a new fundraising initiative as part of its recently unveiled Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
The company is raffling the original artwork featured on the cover of its RAP, with all proceeds benefiting the Arts Law Centre of Australia, a non-profit that provides legal services to artists, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander creators.
The fundraising effort aligns with the goals of Crawford’s RAP, which was introduced in May 2024, as a commitment to advancing reconciliation and supporting Indigenous communities. The RAP focuses on fostering respectful relationships with First Nations peoples and guiding the company’s reconciliation efforts within its sphere of influence.
The Arts Law Centre’s Artists in the Black program provides legal advice, resources, and education to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, ensuring that their intellectual property and cultural rights are protected. The service also helps artists establish legally binding wills to safeguard their artwork’s financial and cultural legacy.
Angela Fitzpatrick, Crawford’s head of key account management, led the development of the RAP alongside a team of employees. She highlighted the importance of linking the fundraising to the company’s reconciliation commitments.
“Being a part of this project has been genuinely enlightening and rewarding but of course now the hard work really begins. We have made numerous commitments in our RAP, and we are really optimistic about achieving those goals through the ‘Reflect’ RAP stage with the guidance of Reconciliation Australia where needed,” she said.
Jonathan Hubbard, president of Crawford Australia, said the RAP is part of the company’s broader mission of restoring lives and communities. He emphasised that the plan would help guide the company’s operations in providing culturally appropriate services to Indigenous Australians.
“We think that having a RAP will help guide us to ensure any service delivered to First Nations peoples is done so in a culturally informed, respectful and accessible way,” he said.
The artwork being raffled, Flourishing Futures, was created by Tim Buckley, a Mununjali/Yugambeh artist.
The painting, which measures 90cm by 60cm, represents the concepts of growth, collective learning, and respect for diverse cultures and landscapes.
Buckley explained that the piece reflects the environments in which Crawford employees live and work, symbolising the journey toward reconciliation.
Raffle tickets for Flourishing Futures are available through the Arts Law Centre’s website.
The funds raised will support the centre’s ongoing efforts to assist Indigenous artists across Australia.
Crawford’s RAP, which runs from May 2024 to May 2025, represents the company’s commitment to fostering reconciliation and contributing to long-term, positive change in Indigenous communities.
