The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) held its annual Indigenous Awards gala event in Brisbane, to celebrate the sector’s First Nations and Indigenous workers and students accomplishments in the resource sector.
QRC Chief Executive, Ian Macfarlane, said the winners are outstanding examples of the world-class workforce behind the state’s resources sector, which contributed $84.3 billion to the state economy in 2020-21.
“The door is wide open for more Indigenous people to follow trade and professional career paths into Queensland’s minerals and energy sector, with new data revealing jobs for First Nations people increased by almost 16 per cent in 2020-21,” Mr Macfarlane said.
Mr Macfarlane said the council’s latest Indigenous Participation Report shows more Indigenous people than ever before now work in Queensland’s resources sector, earning an annual, average income of about $121,000.
He said the report reveals resources companies continue to be Queensland’s number one private sector employer of Indigenous people.
“Queensland resources companies also increased their spending with Indigenous businesses by more than 20 per cent last financial year to reach a record $82.7 million, as a result of a concerted effort to offer more business opportunities through their supply chains,” Mr Macfarlane said.
“We expect this upwards trend to continue as these relationships develop and diversify.”
Mr Macfarlane said the resources sector’s Indigenous employment rate has risen to a record 5.8 per cent, which is well above Queensland’s total Indigenous population rate of four per cent.
“Another stand-out result contained in the upcoming report is that 33 per cent of our Indigenous workforce are now women, which exceeds our current overall female employment rate of 20 per cent,” Mr Macfarlane said.
“We hope figures like this encourage more Indigenous women, and more women in general, to work in our sector or to pursue a trade or tertiary pathway to get there.
“Our industry’s workforce will continue to be our best asset, as resources companies move to lower emissions, use more renewable energy and reduce their environmental impact.”
Mr Macfarlane said the QRC’s highly successful Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA) is playing a key role in growing the state’s young Indigenous skills pipeline.
“The Next Step Destination Data shows that of the Indigenous students who went into an apprenticeship or traineeship from QMEA schools, more than a third went into the mining industry.
“This is a great outcome for these young Indigenous people and we look forward to seeing where their careers take them.
“Our industry provides exciting, skilled, and well-paid careers – not just jobs – for Indigenous Queenslanders, which is demonstrated by the outstanding winners of the 2022 Indigenous Awards.”
All 2022 QRC Indigenous Award winners:
Exceptional Indigenous Person in Queensland Resources
Moranbah-based Mining Supervisor, Nicole Shibasak.
As a proud Wulli Wulli woman and the first Indigenous female supervisor at the Caval Ridge metallurgical coal mine for Thiess, Ms Shibasak is breaking new ground for those around her wanting to take a similar path.
Indigenous Advocacy in Queensland Resources
Brisbane-based Indigenous business owner, Joseph Wallace.
Mr Wallace is the Managing Director and Founder of Multhana Property Services; a Supply Nation Certified Indigenous business.
With a vision to create better employment and upskilling opportunities for First Nations Australians across South East Queensland, Mr Wallace actively fosters an inclusive environment to support his employees and works closely with clients to help them meet their Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) or Queensland Indigenous Procurement Policy (QIPP) objectives.
Indigenous Rising Star in Queensland Resources
Townsville Diesel Fitter William Matters and Emergency Services Officer Zharni Crossley from Weipa are joint winners.
William Matters comes from a strong Torres Strait Islander background, with cultural connections to Darnley and Moa Island in the Torres Straits. Working with heavy machinery has been a dream for Mr Matters since developing an interest in engines and trucks from a young age. He aims to be a role model for young Indigenous people entering the industry and to help break down barriers and preconceived perceptions.
Zharni Crossley is from the Wik clan group Winchanam from Aurukun. After undertaking a Local Aboriginal Persons Traineeship in 2020, Ms Crossley obtained her current position of Emergency Services Officer with Rio Tinto. She has always strived to be a positive role model for her community and aims to motivate others to uncover their potential.
Exceptional Indigenous – Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA) Student
Dustan Baggow, a Year 12 student and the Community Engagement Captain at Moranbah State High School.
As a proud Yuwibara woman, Ms Baggow was an Indigenous Ambassador at her school in 2021, a member of the BHP Youth Advisory Council in Moranbah and a local voice on the community radio station, 4RFM. Ms Baggow is seeking a trade pathway as an electrician, with plans to progress her career by studying an electrical engineering degree.
Best Company Indigenous Employment and Training Initiative in Queensland Resources Rio Tinto for its Local Aboriginal People (LAP) Apprentice Ready and LAP Paid School Leavers programs.
Rio Tinto supports LAP to achieve their personal aspirations and encourage the development of skills and qualifications that broaden employment opportunities within and beyond mining. These initiatives were developed to increase pathways into employment and career readiness.
Exceptional Indigenous Business in Queensland Resources
MOEC, a piping and civil construction contractor, has won for delivering services to the resources sector both in Queensland and nationally. MOEC operates out of the Surat Basin and works collaboratively with stakeholders across the sector. The MOEC team is a beacon for other Indigenous businesses aspiring to work in the industry.
Featured image pictured L to R: James Curran (Moec Pty Ltd), Kathy Pablo (Rio Tinto), Dustan Baggow (Moranbah SHS), Zharni Crossley (Rio Tinto Weipa), Joe Wallace (Multhana Property Services), William Matters (Hastings Deering)
