ASM Global Australia appoints First Nations ambassador

Quandamooka traditional owner and prominent First Nations advocate, Cameron Costello has been appointed First Nations Ambassador for ASM Global Australia.

Advising that Costello had accepted this important role at a time in history when the country was on the verge of change for Indigenous Australians, ASM Global Asia Pacific (APAC) Chairman and Chief Executive, Harvey Lister stated “Cameron brings a 25-year legacy delivering First Nations arts and cultural policies in Queensland and has extraordinary experience particularly in the tourism and events sector.

“His contribution and advice will be pivotal to the group’s reconciliation journey and cultural competency.”

Deputy Chair of the Queensland Tourism Industry Council and interim Chair of the Queensland First Nations Tourism Council, Costello has been appointed to Queensland Government’s Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Legacy Committee.

He describes this new opportunity as very exciting, partnering with the ASM Global leadership team and with Lister in particular, who he says is an astute leader and someone who has provided him with guidance and advice over the years.

Costello (pictured) sees synergy between First Nations peoples who have been gathering and conducting ceremony on Country for tens of thousands of years, and ASM Global, who in continuing that tradition, creates new and meaningful opportunities for First Nations peoples to play a role, which he says is an exciting opportunity for all parties.

Costello advises “in terms of what we want to achieve, for me it is around leadership and legacy. It is important that there is opportunity for real outcomes for First Nations peoples through training and employment that will empower them to achieve their potential, to help close the gap and improve their quality of life.

“There are so many amazing opportunities within the structure of ASM Global that can help drive and deliver practical outcomes.”

Believing that there is a once in a lifetime opportunity to harness the growing momentum and recognition across the arts and cultural sectors, politics and language and the acceptance of traditional knowledge, Costello added “looking towards 2032 I hope we will look back and be able to say we have unlocked a First Nations renaissance period in Australia where we have grown and celebrated our oldest living culture, with Australians from all backgrounds walking together, hand in hand seeing historic moments unfolding.”

Costello said would use his many years’ experience to guide and assist with the preparation and development of a Reconciliation Action Plan for ASM Global and advise the Leadership Team on First Nations projects and protocols. He will also work with the group’s Australian venues on cultural competency training, and assisting when needed.