14 JULY 2022
Our teams across Australia came together to celebrate NAIDOC Week
Our teams across Australia came together last week to celebrate NAIDOC Week – an important time for all Australians to learn more about our shared histories, cultures and achievements, and help progress Australia’s journey towards reconciliation.
This year's theme, 'Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!, called for systemic change and to continue supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Whether it's seeking proper environmental, cultural and heritage protections, Constitutional change, a comprehensive process of truth-telling, working towards treaties, or calling out racism – we must do it together.
Our Worsley Alumina team in Western Australia hosted celebrations alongside the Traditional Owners of the land, the Wardandi and Wilman peoples. Highlights included a traditional smoking ceremony at the Port and the unveiling of Acknowledgement of Country signs at site entry gates.
In New South Wales, our Illawarra Metallurgical Coal (IMC) operation proudly supported the Tharawal Family Fun Day, a community event that showcased the achievements of the Traditional Owners of the southern and south western Sydney area, the Dharawal people.
Hosted by the Tharawal Local Aboriginal Land Council, the event attracted over 1000 people who took part in cultural activities and enjoyed free amusement rides and a community BBQ.
IMC also hosted an Indigenous supplier event, where local Indigenous businesses showcased their products and services to our operational teams and IMC contractors to build relationships and identify meaningful procurement opportunities.
At our Perth head office, we hosted a special screening of ‘Wadjemup: Black Prison White Playground’. The film documents the history and ongoing impacts of Aboriginal incarceration, segregation and forced labour on Wadjemup (Rottnest Island). The screening was followed by a conversation and Q&A with Dr. Richard Walley OAM and Dr Robyn Smith Walley from The Wadjemup Project.
Our GEMCO team in the Northern Territory came together with local Bickerton Island communities for a fun day filled with traditional music, dance and games, including egg and spoon races.
Employees from our Cannington operation in Queensland shared career advice with Indigenous high school students from Cloncurry at the NAIDOC Week Careers Fair. The event connected students with local businesses and was a great way for them to explore academic and career options for the future.
At Cannington’s mess hall, meals from an Indigenous-inspired menu featuring crocodile sausages and bush tomatoes were available for our people.
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