Gongs for Indigenous business participation in resources sector

  • Posted 30 November, 2020
  • Media Releases

30 November 2020

The efforts of Queensland companies to support the growth of Indigenous businesses servicing the state’s resources sector have been recognised.

Arrow Energy’s Whanu Binal Program and Diversified Building Services (DBS) have each taken out their category in the Queensland Resources Council’s (QRC) Indigenous Awards presented today by QRC’s Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane.

Arrow energy won the Best Company Indigenous Procurement Initiative for its program, which aims to build a talented pool of Indigenous businesses and helps business owners and entrepreneurs develop economic opportunities for the communities in which they live and work.

The Exceptional Indigenous Business in Queensland Resources award went to DBS for its total workforce management services to the Central Queensland businesses including Glencore and other local miners.

DBS has worked on town and site maintenance in Tieri and Glencore’s Oaky Creek Coal since 2012.

The online presentation featured Keynote speaker Fiona Jose, Chief Executive Officer at Cape York Partnership, with music by Troy Cassar-Daley, and also featured an address by Dr Jackie Huggins AM FAHA, a Bidjara/Birri Gubba Juru woman and staunch advocate for the rights of  Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

“Indigenous people make up 4 percent of the combined QRC member company workforce, which is on par with their representation in Queensland’s population.

“With the examples set by Arrow Energy and DBS, I’m sure we will exceed that in the years to come.”

QRC thanks major sponsors Rio Tinto and Evolutinon Mining, as well as Thiess, Glencore, Anglo American, Hastings Deering, Shell-QGC, Australian Pacific LNG, Bravus, Ventia, Mine Super and QCoal.

 

Media enquiries: Caroline Morrissey 0417 770 893

 

All finalists and placings

Exceptional Indigenous Person in Queensland Resources

Winner – Brad Welsh, Acting General Manager Weipa Operations, Rio Tinto

Runner-up – John Fickling, Concentrator Advanced Technician (Relief Supervisor – 2IC), Supervisor Indigenous Employment Program, Glencore Ernest Henry Mining

Highly Commended – Anita Ward, Community Relations Officer, Evolution Mining

 

Queensland Resources Sector Indigenous Rising Star

Tenille Tonga, Leading Hand, Cylinder Bay, Hastings Deering

 

Best Company Indigenous Employment and Training Initiative

Winner – Breaking the Barriers to Belonging – Sodexo

Runner-Up – Yila Yina Mundu (Turn Around from Here) Training Program – Macmahon and Jangga Operations

Highly Commended – South32 Cannington Indigenous Work Experience Program – South32

 

Best Company Indigenous Procurement Initiative

Winner – Whanu Binal Program – Arrow Energy

 

Exceptional Indigenous Business in Queensland Resources

Winner – Diversified Building Services (QLD)

Runner-Up – Geared Up Culcha

Highly Commended – Stork Goal JV

 

Exceptional Indigenous Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy Student

Winner – Lincoln Anderson, Tec NQ

Runner-Up – Claire Briggs, Moura State High School

Highly Commended – Emily Gullen, Nanango State High School

 

Indigenous Advocacy Award

Winner – Margarita Escartin, Social Performance Manager, QCoal

 

Recognition of Service to the Queensland Resources Sector

The late Robert Kerry Toby

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