At Pernod Ricard Winemakers (PRW) and Pernod Ricard Australia (PRA), everyone is invited to their convivial world. PRW and PRA aim to foster a workplace where everyone feels a sense of belonging and one that reflects the diverse communities in which they live and operate.
In a significant stride towards this vision, PRW and PRA announced their commitment to reconciliation by launching their Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) in October 2023. Crafted in collaboration with Reconciliation Australia and driven by their First Nations Employee Resource Group, this accredited plan is a blueprint for tangible actions aimed at making meaningful contributions to the cause of reconciliation.
Bryan Fry, CEO, and Chairman of Pernod Ricard Winemakers, stated, "We are proud to present Pernod Ricard Winemakers’ and Pernod Ricard Australia’s first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), which outlines our commitment to building connections with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, deepening our cultural understanding and establishing partnership opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders."
The launch of the RAP was celebrated with the creation of a unique accompanying artwork by talented Ngarrindjeri Memini (woman), Alexandrina Campbell, ‘Conviviality of Meewee’. Commissioned in March 2023, through Dreamtime Art Creative Consultancy, the artwork beautifully weaves the history, culture and stories of the traditional owners of the land with the heritage of Pernod Ricard in the region and is displayed at the Jacob’s Creek Visitor’s Centre in the Barossa Valley, South Australia on the lands of the Ngadjuri, Peramangk and Kaurna Peoples.
Reflecting on this achievement, Fry emphasised the collective learning process, stating, “Our teams at Pernod Ricard Winemakers and Pernod Ricard Australia have made first steps towards developing a greater connection with our First Nations Peoples and communities, but we are all still learning, and our RAP will provide direction, structure, and clear steps for all employees to work towards, facilitating a greater understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, their countries, histories, and cultures."
Over the past two years, PRW and PRA have been on a journey to understand the actions and initiatives that can be taken to contribute towards reconciliation in Australia, and the formalised Reflect RAP, provides guidance to embed the principles and purpose of reconciliation and outline specific actions and initiatives that they will take towards reconciliation, including measurable targets and timelines.
The plan focuses on four key areas: Relationships, Respect, Opportunities, and Governance focused on strengthening connections with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and putting actionable deliverables in place to drive forward reconciliation.
PRW and PRA extends an encouraging call to all employees, families, partners, and consumers, urging them to contemplate the essence of reconciliation and consider the impactful actions that can honour and celebrate the rich heritage of First Nations Australians.