Exceptional talent in the resources sector has been recognised at the Queensland Resources Council’s (QRC) 2022 Indigenous Awards.
The event rewards leading Indigenous achievements in the Queensland resources sector, while supporting the career pathways and progression for Indigenous people into jobs in the industry.
The winners of the awards represent the outstanding examples of the world-class workforce behind the state’s resources sector, QRC chief executive Ian Mcfarlane said.
“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,” Mcfarlane said.
“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.
“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.”
Indigenous employment in the resources sector has risen to a record 5.8 per cent, which is above Queensland’s total Indigenous population rate of four per cent.
Awards presented at the event:
- Exceptional Indigenous Person in Queensland Resources: Moranbah-based Mining Supervisor, Nicole Shibasaki. As the first Indigenous female supervisor at the Caval Ridge metallurgical coal mine for Thiess, Shibaski is breaking new ground for those around her wanting to pursue a similar path.
- Indigenous Advocacy in Queensland Resources: Brisbane-based Indigenous business owner, Joseph Wallace. Wallace is managing director, founder, and majority owner 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 Southeast Queensland, Joseph 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: Joint winners – Townsville Diesel Fitter William Matters and Emergency Services Officer Zharni Crossley from Weipa. Matters comes from a strong Torres Strait Islander background, with cultural connections to Darnley and Moa Island in the Torres Straits. He aims to be a role model for young Indigenous people entering the industry and to help break down barriers and pre-conceived perceptions. Crossley is from the Wik clan group Winchanam from Aurukun. After undertaking a Local Aboriginal Persons Traineeship in 2020, Crossley obtained her current position of Emergency Services Officer with Rio Tinto. Crossley 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: Year 12 student and the Community Engagement Captain at Moranbah State High School, Dustan Baggow. As a proud Yuwibara woman, 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. 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 their 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 the 2022 award 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.