Advisory & consulting
Reconciliation Action Plan Consultant
Supporting your organisation to develop and implement a RAP that leads to genuine, lasting change.
Maria Watson-Trudgett is a Brisbane-based Reconciliation Action Plan consultant and First Nations consultant who works with organisations Australia-wide. Her approach is culturally grounded and strengths-based, helping your organisation move beyond a document on a shelf to real relationships, respect and opportunities with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.
• 100% Aboriginal owned and operated • Supply Nation Registered • Brisbane-based, working Australia wide
MARIA’S RAP CLIENTS INCLUDE
A RAP that leads to meaningful change
A Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) is a strategic blueprint for meaningful structural change. When executed with genuine intent, a RAP transforms how your organisation operates and sets out the practical actions required to embed relationships, respect, and tangible opportunities for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples into your core business.
While an effectively developed RAP has the potential to deliver genuine change, developing one without First Nations insight and guidance may undermine the cultural integrity that anchors your RAP and successful project delivery.
Maria bridges this gap by bringing authentic First Nations perspectives, deep cultural knowledge and proven operational experience to the RAP development and implementation process. She partners with your organisation throughout the journey, helping to establish commitments that are meaningful, achievable and positioned for long-term positive impact.
Why work with Maria
First Nations-led RAP support, from first draft to launch
Personalised collaboration
Works directly with your Executive Leadership Team, providing the guidance needed to drive structural change.
First Nations representation
Enhances your team’s cultural capability by participating directly as a First Nations member of your RAP Working Group.
End-to-end RAP support
A proven track record across Reconciliation Australia’s framework, from Reflect through to Innovate and Stretch RAPs, and from your first draft to unconditional endorsement and launch.
Creative and ICIP expertise
Original RAP artwork created by Maria as an Aboriginal artist, backed by guidance on Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) protection and copyright licensing.
Who Maria works with
Support at every stage of your reconciliation journey
Maria partners with organisations of all sectors throughout Australia, including government, corporate, community and not-for-profit sectors, supporting them at every stage of their reconciliation journey.
Starting your first RAP
Your organisation is ready to begin and wants to get the foundations right.
Moving to the next RAP
You have completed a RAP and are ready to deepen your commitments.
Services
How Maria supports your Reconciliation Action Plan
RAP Development and Terms of Reference
Maria guides your organisation through Reconciliation Australia’s RAP framework, from your first Reflect RAP through to Innovate and Stretch RAPs, including setting up your RAP Working Group’s terms of reference.
RAP Working Group
Need First Nations representation? Maria can participate as a RAP group member for the term of your RAP.
Actions across the four pillars
Realistic, measurable actions across Relationships, Respect, Opportunities and Governance, so every part of your RAP has commitments your organisation can deliver.
Review before submission
Review of your RAP drafts for cultural alignment before they go to Reconciliation Australia.
Endorsement support
Guidance and review from your first draft through to unconditional endorsement from Reconciliation Australia and the launch of your RAP.
RAP Implementation
Maria supports organisations at every stage of RAP implementation, helping to translate commitments into action, monitor progress, and report on reconciliation outcomes with confidence.
Systems, Policies and Practice
Maria helps culturally align HR and workplace policies with your RAP commitments, ensuring reconciliation is reflected in organisational practice.
RAP Deliverables
If you have already launched your RAP, Maria can guide or perform tasks that require a First Nations lens.
RAP Artwork
As an Aboriginal artist, Maria can create an original artwork for your RAP that reflects your organisation’s vision. See Maria’s artwork
Copyright Licensing & ICIP Protection
Expert advice on concept development, ICIP protection, copyright and licensing arrangements, helping organisations navigate the appropriate use of cultural and creative assets for business collateral.
How it works
Four steps to a RAP your organisation can deliver
Start with a yarn
A free 30-minute conversation to discuss your organisation’s reconciliation aspirations and how Maria can support your journey.
Engage Maria
Establish a shared understanding of roles, responsibilities, priorities and identify the next steps to support your reconciliation journey.
Develop your RAP together
Drawing on extensive RAP development experience, Maria works alongside your RAP Working Group to develop a tailored RAP that reflects your organisation’s unique values, priorities and vision for reconciliation.
Implementation and ongoing support
Maria helps turn your RAP commitments into action, monitor progress and maintain momentum throughout your reconciliation journey.
RAP projects
Recent Reconciliation Action Plans
Escient
Maria has partnered with Escient for both their Reflect RAP and Innovate RAP, from the beginning of their reconciliation journey in 2022.
Supported the development of both RAPs and collaborates closely as a RAP working group member, performing deliverables and guiding the organisation.
“Her guidance during the development and implementation of both our Reflect RAP and Innovate RAP helped us move from intention to meaningful action…”
Rebecca Campbell-Burns, Chief Executive Officer, Escient
Grant Thornton
Maria is Lead First Nations Consultant.
RAP development, workplace policy alignment and review of internal documentation.
“We are deeply appreciative of Maria’s invaluable guidance and unwavering support in shaping our Innovate RAP.”
Tash Caflisch, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Manager, Grant Thornton
Watertrust Australia
Maria is the Lead First Nations Consultant and RAP artist.
Workplace policy alignment, RAP working group member, ongoing support and implementation of RAP deliverables.
Strategic Grants
Maria is the Lead First Nations Consultant.
Policy review and ongoing guidance as a RAP group member.
“Her expertise and clear direction have been pivotal in helping us navigate actions and deliverables within our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan, with confidence and purpose.”
Jo Garner, CEO / Founder, Strategic Grants
What clients say
We have particularly valued the way Maria explains the reasoning behind her advice. This has strengthened our understanding and improved how we apply that learning in practice.”
Dr Niki Vincent, Commissioner, Commission for Gender Equality in the Public Sector
Her contributions have had a lasting impact on our people, our practices, and our reconciliation path forward.”
Stephen Kovacs, Managing Director, Escient
What is a Reconciliation Action Plan?
A RAP is a plan that sets out the practical actions an organisation will take to contribute to reconciliation. RAPs follow a framework set by Reconciliation Australia, which also endorses them.
Which type of RAP is right for our organisation?
There are four types: Reflect, Innovate, Stretch and Elevate. Most organisations begin with a Reflect RAP. Maria can help you understand where your organisation sits and which RAP suits your readiness.
What is the difference between a Reflect and an Innovate RAP?
A Reflect RAP is for organisations starting out on their reconciliation journey. It focuses on building relationships and scoping what reconciliation means for your organisation, usually delivered over 12 to 18 months. An Innovate RAP builds on that foundation and focuses on developing and testing initiatives, usually over two years.
How long does it take to develop a RAP?
Developing a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) realistically and meaningfully takes 6 to 12 months from inception to formal endorsement. While some consultancies may promise accelerated frameworks, approaching the project authentically requires appropriate cultural guidance and respectful creative collaboration.
The timeline is fundamentally driven by two parallel tracks: strategic documentation and artistic engagement. Strategic documentation covers drafting, consultation and review of your RAP with your Working Group and Reconciliation Australia. Artistic engagement covers concept development, consultation and creation of your RAP artwork.
Do you help with Reconciliation Australia endorsement?
Yes. Maria guides your organisation through Reconciliation Australia’s review and endorsement process, from your first draft through to your RAP launch.
Does our RAP need artwork?
Artwork isn’t required, but many organisations commission an original artwork to give their RAP a visual identity that reflects their commitments and supports First Nations procurement. Maria creates commissioned RAP artwork and provides copyright licensing so the artwork and symbols can be used across your RAP document and business collateral.
“Maria’s thoughtful approach, combined with her cultural guidance, allowed her to not only capture our ideas but to elevate them in a way that felt authentic and meaningful.”
Lachlan Mackay, Head of Asia-Pacific Market Unit, Consat Telematics
Do you work with organisations outside Brisbane?
Yes. Maria is based in Brisbane and works with organisations of all industries across Australia.
Is Maria’s business Supply Nation registered?
Yes. Maria’s business is 100% Aboriginal owned and operated and Supply Nation registered.
Ready to start your RAP?
Book a free 30-minute Yarn with Maria to talk through your organisation’s goals and next step.