Volvo Bus Australia has marked NAIDOC Week and its reconciliation journey by partnering with local customer Sunstate Charters and wrapping a Volvo B8R in a commissioned Indigenous artwork by Queensland based Goreng Goreng artist, Jacob Sarra.
Mitch Peden, General Manager, Volvo Bus Australia has said that this collaboration ties in with Volvo Group Australia’s (VGA) Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) commitment – with the company recently submitting its ‘Reflect’ RAP earlier this year.
“We’re delighted to have partnered with Sunstate Charters for this special occasion,” says Peden.
“Not only was the unveiling of the Indigenous wrap bus a wonderful way to celebrate NAIDOC Week, but also to represent Volvo Bus Australia’s commitment to reconciliation, as part of the wider Volvo Group, and engaging our wider network in the spirit of reconciliation in the process.”
“We share many core values with Sunstate Charters, such as safety, quality and a commitment to customer success, so it made this collaboration with Sunstate all the more special.”
Sunstate were thrilled with the opportunity to be involved in this collaboration with Volvo Bus Australia and VGA. As a local Queensland company, Sunstate are big supporters of embracing all cultures and supporting local community.
“Sunstate Charters are proud and honoured to be given the opportunity to join with Volvo to mark this important occasion in acknowledging First Nation history and cultures” said Lisa Ritchie, General Manager
The bus was officially unveiled at the VGA headquarters in Wacol, Queensland, on Thursday July 7 with VGA staff and partners in attendance.
The Indigenous artwork on the bus was originally commissioned by VGA as a painting. Jacob Sarra’s untitled piece symbolises VGA’s journey as part of the reconciliation movement and highlights its past journey throughout Sweden and Australia, and the company’s future journey towards zero emissions.
The artwork took close to 25 hours to create and was completed onsite at the VGA head office. The artwork will hang in VGA headquarters, as a reminder of the groups’ vision for reconciliation, and its acknowledgement of the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community.
About Sunstate Charters
Sunstate Charters was established in 1986 and has been operating across South-East Queensland for over 35 years, as the region’s premier luxury coach charter & bus hire company. Sunstate pride themselves on providing an excellent customer experience with a professional attitude, modern coaches and friendly smile from drivers. Sunstate are a 100% Queensland privately owned and operated company. The business was started by Fred Carah and Gordon MacNicol who passed the business onto his daughters, Sandra and Deborah eight years ago. The company runs a fleet of just over 20 vehicles, offering charter services to schools and tourism operators, plus corporate work and private hire. The vast majority of their fleet are Volvos.
About Jacob Sarra
Jacob Sarra is a Goreng Goreng artist, born and raised in Ipswich, Queensland. He lives and works on Turrbul and Jagera land, where the Volvo Group Australia head office is also located. Jacob started creatin his own art at a young age after watching his father paint. The overarching theme of Jacob’s artwork is the journey taken, the different pathways throughout life and the connections made with people. Having become a father three years ago, Jacob has found a constant source of inspiration from his family and they play a prominent part in his artworks. Every one of Jacobs artworks stems from somewhere in his life.
