Adam Goodes has long been engaged in various good causes. In what follows he talks with Julie McCrossin about his role as a Qantas Ambassador.
Andyamathanha man and AFL champion, Adam Goodes has added Qantas Ambassador to his long list of high profile community activities. As a proud Aboriginal man, Goodes believes this role with Qantas offers him a significant opportunity to promote the interests of Indigenous people.
“Qantas has a longstanding commitment to promoting reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the broader community,” Goodes says. “It’s an honour for me to play an active part in engaging the public in their Indigenous program.”
Goodes is also looking forward to working with Qantas to promote the Recognise Campaign which is working towards a referendum to include Australia’s first peoples in the Constitution. “I’m a longstanding supporter of this recognition,” Goodes told me.
As a Qantas Ambassador, Goodes is also pleased he will be helping the national carrier to educate employees and the public through the Qantas Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). The plan is all about providing employment opportunities to Indigenous people, supporting Indigenous-owned businesses, offering Qantas staff and travellers opportunities to experience Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and using the airline’s unique position to educate business partners and customers about Indigenous art, culture and excellence in education, sport and the performing arts, as well as broader Indigenous issues.
Qantas currently employs 355 Indigenous Australians. Goodes hopes to help see that number increase.
The involvement of Adam Goodes as an Ambassador is part of a broad range of partnerships Qantas has with Indigenous people, organisations and supporters, including Reconciliation Australia, the Yothu Yindi Foundation, the Clontarf Foundation, the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation and Bangarra Dance Theatre.
