2019 QRC Indigenous Awards

Congratulations to all winners and finalists of the 2019 QRC Indigenous Awards

The 2019 QRC Indigenous Awards ceremony was held on 27 May 2019 at the W Hotel Brisbane. With more than 390 guests in attendance, we heard from Award-winning journalist and Wiradjuri man Stan Grant as keynote speaker. Learn more below about the 2019 winners and finalists across the six award categories.

Exceptional Indigenous Person

Nyah Teiotu – BHP

Nyah is a proud Wemba Wemba woman, mother and Mining Engineer at BHP. Coming from the small regional town of Derby in WA, Nyah is a trail blazer, the first in her family to complete higher education and among the first Indigenous female engineers to enter BHP. Having achieved two separate degrees, in Civil and Mining Engineering, Nyah now plans to complete an MBA. On top of her contribution to the workplace, Nyah is involved in a number of BHP’s Inclusion and Diversity committees, STEM pathway programs and volunteers at various Indigenous student events and summer camps at University of Queensland.

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Best Company Indigenous Employment & Training Initiative

Joint Winners

BHP – Indigenous Leadership Programs

BHP have committed to a leadership parity target of 3% Indigenous representation at manager level and above by 2020. The Indigenous Development Program and Indigenous Leadership Program support the capability and progression of Indigenous employees within the business with leadership skills that are also valuable within community settings. Being ‘comfortable in the
un-comfortable’ is one of the course catch cries. The program now has 101 alumni with 33% experiencing a permanent role change and 17% becoming people leaders and it represents an important shift as the business prepares for automation.

QCoal – Thida Bullaroo ‘One Foot After the Other’

The Thida Bullaroo program was co-designed by QCoal Group and Jangga Operations to bring Traditional Owners back to country by creating and sustaining employment opportunities across QCoal Group’s operations. The program uses an intensive pre-employment screening process, support programs and targeted training funded through the Jangga Byerwen Bursary, to set candidates and their families up for success. This unique, holistic approach led to an increase in Indigenous workforce representation from 2% to 14% within 24 months of commencement and is continuing to deliver strong retention rates.

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Exceptional Indigenous Business

Black Cat Civil

Black Cat Civil is a proudly Indigenous owned company founded by Jai Tomlinson and Brendan Flynn, working throughout Australia in the civil, rail, mining and construction industries. Standout delivery of an initial sub-contracting scope of works at BHP’s Caval Ridge Mine led to larger direct contracting opportunities. The company are committed to making positive contributions to the community and continue to set new standards in the engagement of Indigenous personnel who make up 35% their 150 plus workforce.

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Exceptional Indigenous QMEA student

Lydia Taylor – Moura State High School

Lydia is a proud Wakka Wakka woman currently completing Year 12 at Moura State High School, a QMEA Ambassador and School Captain. Lydia comes from four generations of miners and her interest in the resources industry was influenced by a memorable visit to the Moura Anglo American mine, where she plans to do work experience next term. She is pursuing career pathways within the industry that support her enthusiasm for environmental sustainability and connection to country as an Indigenous youth. School ambassador for the RSL, Lydia is also a driving force in the fundraising committee for the Leukaemia Foundation World’s Greatest Shave.

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Indigenous Advocacy Award

Dee Clarke – BHP

Dee is a proud Njamal woman, working in the Maintenance Centre of Excellence function at BHP. Dee stands out not only as an Indigenous woman in maintenance, an area where traditionally female representation can be very low, but through her passion, voice and strong work ethic. Most notably Dee has been an supporter and advocate of BHP supporting the Uluru Statement from the Heart and the need to have a First Nations voice in the Constitution.  Every week Dee inspires more and more people across BHP to become Uluru Statement ambassadors and will lead 30 BHP staff during the Call for Action by participating in the Outback Marathon.

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Best Company Indigenous Procurement Initiative

Rio Tinto – Amrun Project Local and Indigenous Participation Strategy and Implementation

Since project inception the ethos of Amrun’s development was to employ local, buy local and grow local business. Rio Tinto’s innovative and comprehensive approach to build company cultural awareness with Wik-Waya Traditional Owners combined with working with major contractors to enhance local capability, resulted in peak employment of 400 Indigenous people and $277 million spent with local businesses. The Amrun Project has set an industry benchmark in supporting local suppliers and will support the sustainability of Western Cape communities for decades to come.

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