NAIDOC Week's theme this year was 'Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!', which calls for us all to continue to seek greater systematic change and support and secure institutional, structural, collaborative, and cooperative reforms. It was fantastic to see our teams getting involved.
In our Defence business:
RAAF Williams, Laverton & RAAF base Point Cook's celebrated hosted a morning tea with Welcome to country by Traditional Owner of the Bunurong Land Council Lakeisha Clayton. 110 people attended for great food, tea, coffee and a yarn. A wonderful menu based on Australian native ingredients was provided by the kitchen team.
Morning and afternoon teas were also held at locations including RAAF Base East Sale and RAFF Edinburgh.
In some of our corporate offices:
The team at Heatherton kicked off NAIDOC Week with a morning tea and a visit from long time Ventia friend Richard Young. The Telco team heard from Richard, Judith and his family about the way they are helping to advance the long overdue path to true reconciliation.
The North Sydney Office gathered for a tasty lunch and to tune into the NAIDOC Week Lunch and Learn session. It was an inspiring and motivating event for all in attendance!
In WA, Ventia's East Perth office came together to enjoy a warm Welcome to Country by Uncle Neville Collard, and a thought-provoking discussion with Gerry Matera around Engagement, inclusivity and the impact of engaging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders into business. The event was catered by Local Aboriginal owned business Gather Foods.
Also in Western Australia:
The BP Kwinana hosted a lunch to celebrate NAIDOC week, and the team worked together on an artwork alongside Artist and Yamatji woman Beverly Egan and had a lovely performance by didgeridoo teacher and talented musician Brent Matters.
A Flag Raising Ceremony on Barrow Island was held to commence NAIDOC week. Attended by WA Oil work teams including Ventia RWS Rig 26 crew and support personnel.
In Queensland:
The Rigs and Wells Services team gathered on site in Withcott, Queensland for a NAIDOC week event. It included an engaging discussion with John 'Jubbin' Parsons, a Custodial Man for Yuggera and Ugarapul people and lunch from the Rig Smoker.
In the Northern Territory:
A number of Ventia employees were up bright and early to host and attended a delicious community breakfast as part of the Darwin NAIDOC breakfast march and speeches.
In Victoria:
DST Fishermans bend hosted a vibrant morning tea celebration with beautiful decorations that were gathered on site and delicious treats featuring native ingredients.
And on 7 July, our Eastlink team in Melbourne were honoured to host Ventia's Indigenous Advisory Board's quarterly meeting. Wurundjeri elder Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin (AO) along with her son Craig conducted a Welcome to Country and a Smoking Ceremony. Aunty Joy also shared the story of her family and ancestors and what NAIDOC Day means to her and to the wider community.