Inviting employees and community to engage in dialogue about the stories, traditions and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities – celebrating this year’s theme Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud & Proud.
Across MinRes regional sites, teams recognised NAIDOC Week with Welcome to Country events, flag raising and smoking ceremonies, sports and social events, plus live performances by local Aboriginal musicians.
At its Perth head office, celebrations began with an address by MinRes Managing Director Chris Ellison, a Welcome to Country bysenior Noongar man Danny Ford OAM, reflections fromMinRes Non-Executive Director Colleen Hayward AM, plus a didgeridoo performance and traditional dance.
Two collaborative art activities were also delivered– one by Indigenous artist in residence Sam Bobby, supported by employees and visitors, the other at MinRes’ Next Gen creche for its youngest family members to enjoy.
Local “Lunch and Yarn” cultural sessions were hosted by Danny Ford OAM, inviting employees to learnmore about the cultural history of local placesincludingWalyalup(Fremantle),Wadjemup (Rottnest Island),KaartaKoomba(Kings Park)and Njookenbooro (Herdsman Lake).
NAIDOC themed items were also on the menu at Benny’s restaurant and Alba café – including traditional ingredients such as desert lime, warrigal greens, kangaroo and crocodile – giving employees and visitors a unique cultural dining experience.
A pop-up market was alsohosted at our headquarters, whereTraditional Owners and small business partners sold products including jewelry, candles,and art.
In the community
For 2024 NAIDOC Week, MinRes supported several NAIDOC Week celebrations across the communities where it operates.
In Onslow, MinRes hosted a special dinner at its Onslow Construction Village. Thalanyji Traditional Owners, residents and community members came together to celebrate NAIDOC Week on Country, with a special performance by Aboriginal band Seaside Drifters.
MinRes also co-hosted an Elders Luncheon in collaboration with Thalanyji and the Shire of Ashburton, when guests enjoyed a yarn over arts and crafts activities with lunch provided by the MinRes Village team.
Further north, MinRes sponsored the Kariyarra Aboriginal Corporation’s NAIDOC celebration event celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island culture \with traditional food and stories. This included a traditional performance from local Elder Stephen Stewart, who is believed to be the oldest Aboriginal man in Australia.
The MinRes Energy team joined Yamatji Southern Regional Corporation to celebrate NAIDOC with a relaxing afternoon along the Geraldton foreshore with live music, culture sharing and an award ceremony for the Yamatji people. The event was closed out with a 200-drone light and sound, Winthu Wangga, proudly sponsored by MinRes.
The team closed out NAIDOC week with an immersive cultural experience held at Peedamulla campgrounds, led by the Parker family. After a traditional dinner, the family shared its knowledge and stories through dance, song and storytelling narrated by local Elders.
The MinRes-supported event closed with Hedland band, Broken Tides, entertaining visitors well into the evening.
Thanks to everyone who helped make 2024 NAIDOC Week another big success. MinRes remains focused on building strong relationships with Indigenous communities and Traditional Owners, and growing environments enriched by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and cultures.
