Acknowledgement of Country
TSBE proudly acknowledges Australia’s First Nations peoples
TSBE acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we live and work and pay our respect to Elders past, present and emerging.
TSBE is committed to supporting ‘Closing the Gap’ targets for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by identifying opportunities to increase their employment and business opportunities.
TSBE operates on the traditional lands of many Indigenous nations and their communities. We value our relationships with these Indigenous communities, recognising their ongoing connection to Country and Culture, and their place as important members of our regions and cities.
We acknowledge Aboriginal people as the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we operate. We pay our respects to past, present and emerging Elders, and are committed to honouring Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People’s unique cultural and spiritual relationships to the land and their rich contribution to society.
We recognise that Aboriginal cultures and communities form Queensland's cultural diversity foundation. Indigenous cultures, languages and kinship structures have long been embedded across the state. We acknowledge and celebrate these diverse traditions, customs and cultures that have existed for more than 60,000 years.
Our Commissioned Artwork
SKY LAND PEOPLE
By Daniel Blades
Proud Mandandanji Man
The painting represents the sky, land and people that are represented by the Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise
The artwork depicts the vibrant and interconnected community of TSBE, Western Downs, and Maranoa regions brought together by the river system and the sharing of stories between Indigenous and non-Indigenous cultures.
The centre yarning circle, surrounded by smaller circles representing the towns, is depicted with vivid colours and intricate patterns, symbolising the rich diversity of the region’s cultures and landscapes.
The river system, depicted in flowing blue lines, represents the lifeblood of the region, connecting communities and nourishing the land. The hands on the outside of the river show the coming together of different cultures, with the lines between them representing the sharing of stories and traditions.
The circles that appear to be falling represent the spreading of these stories across the region, carried by the winds and the people who share them. The different shades of colour in the circles represent the varied landscapes and cultures across the region, from the lush green hills to the arid plains.
Finally, the two figures on each half of the painting represent the spirit people who watch over and guide the communities of the region, uniting them in a shared history and a shared future.
The entire painting is an evocative and vibrant celebration of the beauty and richness of the TSBE, Western Downs, and Maranoa regions, brought to life through colour, pattern, and story.
To learn more about our Indigenous engagement work, contact Ashley
Ashley Williams
Indigenous Business Connector
