Coates has always been about relationships – with each other, with our customers and the communities in which we operate.
Acknowledgement of Country
Coates acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which our branches are based. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and extend our respect to all Elders and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across Australia.
From our CEO
I am proud to introduce our first ‘Reflect’ Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) which provides a framework for Coates to support the National Reconciliation movement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.
Coates has always been about relationships – with each other, with our customers and the communities in which we operate. We are committed to developing respectful relationships and creating meaningful opportunities with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and aim to increase employee participation and continue to support local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses through the procurement of goods and services. We are proud of the work we have done to date through our existing partnerships, however there is so much more to do to create real change.
This is a significant milestone in our 135-year history as we take our initial steps to embed the actions and foundations of our ‘Reflect’ RAP. This important journey will further embed a culture of diversity and inclusion across our national branch network, and build on the strengths of our diverse workforce to encourage cultural awareness and different ways of thinking.
I am honoured to lead the Coates reconciliation journey to create meaningful and respectful reconciliation opportunities, as well as acknowledge what the First Nations peoples bring to us and how we are all enriched by it. Together, we will drive many initiatives nationally, focused on relationship building and improving cultural and historical awareness for all employees.
Being an Australian-owned organisation, this journey is important to our heritage and for all of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees. It’s now time to stand together and be a part of Australia’s reconciliation movement. We share this journey with the support and endorsement of Reconciliation Australia, our Board, employees, customers and the communities who rely on us.
Murray Vitlich
Chief Executive Officer,
Executive Director