RIO Tinto’s operations in the Hunter Valley celebrated NAIDOC Week with activities recognising the culture and achievements of local indigenous people.
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Mount Thorley Warkworth employees were treated to bush tucker burgers and a Dreamtime story by the Wakagetti Indigenous Corporation at shift start last Friday morning.
Rio Tinto Hunter Valley Inclusion and Diversity (I&D) committee member Justin Burgess also shared a story about his grandfather who was part of the Stolen Generation.
“Although my grandfather suffered the consequences of the Stolen Generation and could have quite easily become an angry person, he had respect for everyone he met regardless of their heritage,” he said.
“It was beautiful to see.”
Mount Thorley Warkworth general manager Colin Mackey said the company was very proud of its commitment to inclusion and diversity in the workplace and local community.
“The NAIDOC Week events have provided a great opportunity to celebrate culture and history alongside our Indigenous workmates,” he added.
NAIDOC Week is an annual, nation-wide event celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and recognising the contributions that Indigenous Australians make to our nation and society.
Rio Tinto’s Hunter Valley I&D Committee organised the activities on site in support of the theme for 2017 – ‘Our Languages Matter’.
Rio Tinto is one of the largest private sector employers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with more than 1600 indigenous employees and hundreds of additional contractors.
