Whitehaven Coal has launched its first Indigenous truck tray design and high-vis personal protective equipment, with the new and updated look part of the company’s NAIDOC celebrations.
Local Indigenous artist Ronny Long, who has strong cultural connections to the region designed the tray and PPE which features emu prints. The design also includes a message in Gomeroi language which reminds everyone onsite about the importance of safety. The message reads Maaru Yunawaaya, which translates to ‘Go well, be safe’.
Mr Long attended Whitehaven’s launch event of the tray and PPE and said he was thrilled to see his design prominently featured on the site.
“I am so proud that Aboriginal people and culture are being represented at Whitehaven.
“It’s been eight years since I created this artwork and it’s fantastic to see it living on permanently through the truck and PPE design,” Mr Long said.
The decision to add the designs to the mining equipment is part of Whitehaven’s third Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), which aims to embed and strengthen its initiatives and activities with the inclusion of an Indigenous design in their everyday equipment.
Whitehaven Coal Executive General Manager of Operations, Ian Humphris, praised the design and highlighted the efforts of maintenance crews to ready the tray for use.
“The tray itself weighs over 38,000kg and parts of it were transported from Schlam’s manufacturing yard in Western Australia, so it was quite a logistical challenge for our people to put it together,” Mr Humphris said.
“They did a great job and it looks fantastic – I know all of our teams are incredibly excited to put it to use while wearing their brand new PPE.
“The launch of these two initiatives is a significant milestone for Whitehaven and it reflects our ongoing commitment to reconciliation and recognising the significant contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to our business.”
“We’re proud to be playing a role in supporting Indigenous people in our community, whether it be through employment, procurement, education or health and wellbeing. NAIDOC Week is a great time to come together and reflect on how we can continue to build stronger families and futures for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people into the future,” Mr Humphris said.
The launch event also included Whitehaven presenting its RAP Champion Awards, which recognises the efforts of a community member and a Whitehaven employee. The award aims to support and encourage the development and growth of relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people within the community and company.
The 2023 community recipient from a local business in Narrabri includes Crockett Moodie, who earned the award through his commitment to providing opportunities for young Aboriginal people to engage in land management issues.
Maules Creek Maintenance Manager, Mark Irwin, claimed the Whitehaven employee award for his contribution in support of Aboriginal initiatives within the company, helping to foster and promote inclusiveness and reconciliation.
The Whitehaven RAP Champion Awards will be presented annually during National Reconciliation Week.
Featured image: Local Indigenous artist Ronny Long standing with Whitehaven Coal’s new mining equipment which features his designs. Image credit: Whitehaven Coal.
