BRS Implements Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan

We would like to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land we stand upon today and pay our deepest respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We recognise and respect their culture, beliefs, history, and enduring relationship with the land.

At BRS, we understand that our words are only as good as our actions and recognise that we cannot create meaningful change in the broader community without acknowledging that every individual, company and organisation in Australia serves a role in reconciliation.

We believe the implementation of our first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) is an important step that allows us to apply our guiding value of believing in better, into becoming better by taking meaningful action in our reconciliation journey.

As outlined by Reconciliation Australia, the purpose of a Reflect RAP is to build strong foundations that help prepare an organisation to meaningfully engage in reconciliation. Our Reflect RAP has been formally endorsed by Reconciliation Australia and provides a framework for achieving our deliverable actions over the next 18 months.

By embracing Reconciliation Australia’s deliverable actions, we will embed further understanding, value and recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories and rights into our services, policies and company culture.

Our reconciliation journey to date

At BRS, we understand that reconciliation is an ongoing journey and through the implementation of our RAP, we not only reflect on our journey to date but demonstrate our ongoing commitment to further evolving as a business.

We are extensively appreciative of the opportunity to work alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on numerous projects to date, including working in consultation with several Aboriginal Heritage Advisors and archaeologists, including Heritage Now, to develop impact assessments for numerous infrastructure and property development projects.

We have worked alongside the Aboriginal Land Council and provided services for The Pemulwuy Project in Redfern for the Aboriginal Housing Company. Our services have also qualified BRS’ placement on the Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council’s panel of pre-qualified suppliers.

Through the implementation of our RAP, we outline our commitment to initiating and cultivating future collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-owned businesses and organisations.

Reconciliation Action Plan
As part of the RAP process, we worked with First Nations artist Jordan Lovegrove, Ngarrindjeri, of Dreamtime Creative who designed this beautiful artwork representing BRS innovating change on our journey to reconciliation.

Our ongoing commitment to reconciliation

BRS’ philosophy encourages us to give back to the communities in which we live, work and play by supporting a wide range of charities and not-for-profit organisations. Our commitment to reconciliation will extend to offering our services on a pro bono basis for projects targeted at reducing the disparities faced by First Nations communities, including in the healthcare, employment, and education sectors.

The implementation of our RAP will occur across all levels of the company by adapting internal communications, relationships and interactions with our team, clients, stakeholders and the wider community.

Some of the key ways we aim to progress in reconciliation include:

  • Providing further cultural training to our team,
  • Formally acknowledging traditional custodianship in our reports, correspondence and services,
  • Researching and encouraging partnership and collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-owned businesses, organisations and stakeholders, and
  • Implementing strategies for the recruitment, retention and professional development of First Nations team members.

To ensure we meet the deliverable actions in our RAP, we have established a RAP Working Group consisting of team members across our diverse disciplines and office locations. Our RAP Working Group is committed to attending external National Reconciliation Week activities, NAIDOC Week activities, and conducting reviews of HR policies and cultural learning needs.

We look forward to progressing in our reconciliation journey over the next 18 months by meaningfully engaging in reconciliation throughout all areas of our organisation.

We would like to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land we stand upon today and pay our deepest respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We recognise and respect their culture, beliefs, history, and enduring relationship with the land.

At BRS, we understand that our words are only as good as our actions and recognise that we cannot create meaningful change in the broader community without acknowledging that every individual, company and organisation in Australia serves a role in reconciliation.

We believe the implementation of our first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) is an important step that allows us to apply our guiding value of believing in better, into becoming better by taking meaningful action in our reconciliation journey.

As outlined by Reconciliation Australia, the purpose of a Reflect RAP is to build strong foundations that help prepare an organisation to meaningfully engage in reconciliation. Our Reflect RAP has been formally endorsed by Reconciliation Australia and provides a framework for achieving our deliverable actions over the next 18 months.

By embracing Reconciliation Australia’s deliverable actions, we will embed further understanding, value and recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories and rights into our services, policies and company culture.

Our reconciliation journey to date

At BRS, we understand that reconciliation is an ongoing journey and through the implementation of our RAP, we not only reflect on our journey to date but demonstrate our ongoing commitment to further evolving as a business.

We are extensively appreciative of the opportunity to work alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on numerous projects to date, including working in consultation with several Aboriginal Heritage Advisors and archaeologists, including Heritage Now, to develop impact assessments for numerous infrastructure and property development projects.

We have worked alongside the Aboriginal Land Council and provided services for The Pemulwuy Project in Redfern for the Aboriginal Housing Company. Our services have also qualified BRS’ placement on the Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council’s panel of pre-qualified suppliers.

Through the implementation of our RAP, we outline our commitment to initiating and cultivating future collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-owned businesses and organisations.

Reconciliation Action Plan
As part of the RAP process, we worked with First Nations artist Jordan Lovegrove, Ngarrindjeri, of Dreamtime Creative who designed this beautiful artwork representing BRS innovating change on our journey to reconciliation.

Our ongoing commitment to reconciliation

BRS’ philosophy encourages us to give back to the communities in which we live, work and play by supporting a wide range of charities and not-for-profit organisations. Our commitment to reconciliation will extend to offering our services on a pro bono basis for projects targeted at reducing the disparities faced by First Nations communities, including in the healthcare, employment, and education sectors.

The implementation of our RAP will occur across all levels of the company by adapting internal communications, relationships and interactions with our team, clients, stakeholders and the wider community.

Some of the key ways we aim to progress in reconciliation include:

  • Providing further cultural training to our team,
  • Formally acknowledging traditional custodianship in our reports, correspondence and services,
  • Researching and encouraging partnership and collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-owned businesses, organisations and stakeholders, and
  • Implementing strategies for the recruitment, retention and professional development of First Nations team members.

To ensure we meet the deliverable actions in our RAP, we have established a RAP Working Group consisting of team members across our diverse disciplines and office locations. Our RAP Working Group is committed to attending external National Reconciliation Week activities, NAIDOC Week activities, and conducting reviews of HR policies and cultural learning needs.

We look forward to progressing in our reconciliation journey over the next 18 months by meaningfully engaging in reconciliation throughout all areas of our organisation.

A day in the life of a Civil Engineer at BRS: Jacob Rodriguez

In our ‘day in the life’ blog series, we aim to showcase the work of our talented team and help you get to know the faces behind our projects a little better. This month we sat down with Jacob, who started with BRS as an Undergraduate Engineer and has since progressed to a Civil Engineer, to chat more about what it’s like being part of our design team and what’s surprised him most about working in engineering.

Tell us a bit about yourself and what interested you in engineering. 

I have a passion for all things sport with a few of my favourite things being soccer, snowboarding and golf. To contradict the sports theme, from a young age I have had a love for all things Lego, which is where I think my trajectory to an engineering career all started. In school, I enjoyed maths, physics and design technology subjects which led to me studying Engineering for my HSC, from then I enrolled at university to become a Civil Engineer. 

What does a typical workday look like for you and what brings you the most joy in your role? 

A typical workday for me involves project design and quite a few cups of coffee. The design work is typically of a stormwater drainage system using software such as DRAINS and Civil3D. The problem-solving aspect of the project design and being able to come up with a working solution of my own, combined with open communication with the team who is always open for collaboration is what brings me the most joy in my role. 

What’s it like being part of BRS’ design team?  

Being part of the BRS design team is the best! The team is always supporting each other and willing to lend a hand whenever needed. There is a range of skills and experience amongst the members of the team, their willingness to share their experience and expertise and assist me with challenging problems is helping me to become a better engineer. 

What’s been the most memorable aspect of working at BRS so far? 

The BRS conferences, where all the offices get to come together to hear about the strategic direction of the business from the directors and get to know one another better as we participate in team activities and relax. It’s a great opportunity to learn and to bond as a team.

Looking back at your career, is there anything that’s surprised you about working in engineering? 

English was never my favourite subject or strong point in school, choosing civil engineering as a career path I thought my focus would be on further developing and applying my mathematics skills, I never anticipated how much writing was involved in the role. Turns out, there is quite a lot of report writing required, and my literacy skills have since developed for the better. This is the one aspect of my role that I have needed to work on. I think if you told me I would now be writing complex reports a few years ago I would’ve laughed. 

Finally, what advice do you have for anyone considering a career in engineering? 

Do it, engineering offers such a wide range of opportunities and involves navigating complex challenges, developing strong problem-solving skills and working collaboratively, but to make the most of it you should join the BRS team.

Want to get to know our team a bit better?

Check out our other ‘day in the life of’ blogs to learn more about our talented team.