Volvo Bus has announced it has marked this year’s NAIDOC Week and its reconciliation journey by partnering with local Queensland operator, Sunstate Charters, by wrapping a Volvo B8R in a commissioned Indigenous artwork by Queensland based Goreng Goreng artist, Jacob Sarra.
General manager, of Volvo Bus Australia, Mitch Peden, said that the collaboration ties in with the VGA’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) commitment adding that the company earlier this year submitted its ‘Reflect’ RAP .
“We’re delighted to have partnered with Sunstate Charters for this special occasion,” said 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 were 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 general manager of Sunstate Charters, Lisa Ritchie.
The bus was officially unveiled at the VGA headquarters in Wacol, Queensland, on 7th July, and was attended by VGA staff and partners.
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.
Sunstate Charters was established in 1986 and has been operating across South-East Queensland for more than 35 years, as the region’s premier luxury coach charter and bus hire company.
The company prides itself on providing an excellent customer experience with a professional attitude, modern coaches and friendly smile from drivers.
Sunstate is a 100 per cent privately owned and operated Queensland company, and 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, the vast majority being Volvos, offering charter services to schools and tourism operators, plus corporate work and private hire.
Jacob Sarra is a Goreng Goreng artist, born and raised in Ipswich, Queensland and currently 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.
