Honouring Culture: Indigenous Artworks Unveiled Across Operational Sites

South32 Worsley Alumina is proud to announce Bianca Willder and Donald Turvey as the Noongar artists whose artworks will be featured at our Collie Refinery, Bunbury Port and Boddington Bauxite Mine sites following a recent expression of interest process.

The artwork initiative was a key component of our NAIDOC week celebrations as we recognised and celebrated the rich cultural heritage and stories of First Nations people.

The introduction of the artists and unveiling of their artwork occurred at South32’s NAIDOC celebration held at our Bunbury Port berth. The event began with a heartfelt Welcome to Country by Les Wallam, followed by a deeply meaningful smoking ceremony led by Gnaala Karla Booja Aboriginal Corporation General Manager, Karim Khan. The ceremony signified the importance of shared respect and cultural acknowledgment.

Bianca Willder, with Nannup and Quartermaine bloodlines from the Wardandi, Bindjareb, and Ballardong mobs, showcased her powerful art of both the Bunbury Port and Boddington Bauxite Mine. Her pieces reflect powerful stories of connection to Country.

• At Bunbury Port, Bianca's mural vividly portrays a deep connection to the Warden (ocean), a vital space for the local mob to swim, fish, and connect with their land. The mural incorporates significant elements like whales (kwilena), bamba, and kwila, alongside travel lines and meeting places, symbolising the Noongar people, the wider community, and South32.
• At Boddington, her artwork traces the journey of the Hotham River, flowing like the wagyl through boodja. It features local wildlife such as karak, yongka, and weitj, and highlights important Wilman cultural sites and ancestral journeys across the land. 

Donald Turvey, a talented 13-year-old emerging artist, vibrant work will be featured at the Collie Refinery. Donald's artwork is a powerful reflection of the Gnaala Karla Booja People. It skillfully incorporates their four dialects and represents the 17 towns across the region, symbolising the strong and enduring connections—past, present, and future—between First Nations people and the wider community.

These artworks are not just aesthetically pleasing; they are powerful cultural expressions and reflections of place, people, and story. This initiative reinforces our commitment to recognising, respecting, and celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices and perspectives across all our operations.