The 2023 finalists for the Queensland Resources Council (QRC) Indigenous Awards have been announced, in which the resources sector – the largest employer of Indigenous Australians – will celebrate the remarkable contributions of its First Nations employees.
From high school students about to embark on a resources career, to those with decades of experience in the sector, finalists in the 2023 Queensland Resources Council Indigenous Awards reflect the increasingly wide participation of Indigenous people in Queensland’s number one export industry.
With the support of event partner Evolution Mining, the QRC Indigenous Awards will be held on 20 June and will feature six categories recognising individual and company achievements.
The categories for the awards are:
- Exceptional Indigenous Person in Queensland Resources
- Indigenous Advocacy
- Indigenous Rising Star
- Exceptional Indigenous Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA) Student
- Exceptional Indigenous Business in Queensland Resources
- Best Company Indigenous Initiative
A full list of the finalists can be found here.
2023’s finalists hail from all corners of the state including Weipa, Mount Isa, Rockhampton, Mackay and Brisbane.
QRC Chief Executive, Ian Macfarlane, said the calibre of the 2023 finalists reflects the level of Indigenous expertise embedded in the state’s $94.6 billion mining and energy sector.
Mr Macfarlane said that although resources companies are making great progress towards creating more employment opportunities and diverse and inclusive workplaces for people from all cultural backgrounds there is always more work to be done.
“The Queensland resources sector is proud to be such a significant employer of Indigenous women and men, particularly in regional and remote areas where most of our operations are based,” Mr Macfarlane said.
“It’s great to see Indigenous people working in such varied roles, from trade apprenticeships to management positions, and that is reflected in the finalists for this year’s awards.
“The resources sector offers some of the most highly paid and rewarding careers of any industry in Australia, and it’s encouraging that companies are actively recruiting Indigenous people to work in the communities where they live.
“Rising Star finalist Daphne Tiplady, who works as a store person with Hastings Deering in Weipa, is typical of all finalists when she speaks about how proud she is to work in the sector and that she wants to encourage other First Nations people to follow her lead.
“Another finalist, in the Indigenous Advocacy category, is Evolution Mining Mount Rawdon Operations Sustainability Manager, Paul Wright, who is making a difference by building stronger relationships with the Indigenous community and supporting region-wide reconciliation more broadly.”
Evolution Mining’s CEO and Managing Director, Lawrie Conway, congratulated all award finalists.
“Evolution is extremely proud of our strong connections with all indigenous communities where we operate and we are privileged to help the QRC celebrate the achievements of Queensland’s indigenous industry leaders,” Mr Conway said.
“Evolution is committed to ensuring diversity and inclusion in line with our values of respect, safety, accountability and excellence. Every day, Evolution people create positive opportunities to support self-determination of indigenous communities.
“By supporting the QRC Indigenous Awards we want to elevate the significance of First Nations partnerships in our industry. Evolution aims to enhance our existing relationships and employment pathways for indigenous people and we respect, and are very proud to celebrate, all finalists who help to drive positive and sustainable outcomes.”
