Reconciliation journey in Australia continues with NAIDOC Week

GFG Alliance operations support events for national celebration

6 July 2023

GFG Alliance and its Liberty Primary Metals Australia operations have continued the reconciliation journey with Australia-wide support and celebration of NAIDOC Week from 2-9 July this year. 

Following a busy National Reconciliation Week (May 27 to June 3), where we celebrated in many different ways across our Australian operations, NAIDOC Week (National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee) was a further opportunity to reflect on our own connection to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and join together in the spirit of reconciliation.   

NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia in the first week of July each year to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about  First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of one of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth.  

Our SIMEC Mining Tahmoor Coking Coal operation in New South Wales is a significant sponsor of the Tharawal Local Aboriginal Land Council and its NAIDOC Family Fun Day held on 7 July. 

It is a busy week in Whyalla, South Australia, with the LIBERTY Primary Steel and SIMEC Mining Iron Ore operations sponsoring a raft of NAIDOC activities. These include an Elder’s luncheon, Whyalla Hospital Barbecue, golf day, movie screening, NAIDOC march, community day, free kids disco and ninja challenge. 

In Tasmania, employees from the LIBERTY Bell Bay operations immerse themselves in various NAIDOC week activities happening in around the region. That includes the George Town Council NAIDOC Week ceremony on July 3 with employees also taking part in Kelp Workshops later in the week. 

The Adelaide office of GFG Alliance has scheduled a morning tea on Friday, July 7 with SIMEC Mining Iron Ore Executive General Manager Jacqui Higgins providing an insight into the Barngarla country and people. 

Across our entire GFG Alliance business, we continue our reconciliation journey through our National Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan, which is currently being implemented and will be officially launched in the second half of the year. Through the plan, we will work to strengthen our existing ties to our local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and help our people understand how they can contribute at work and in their personal lives. 

Main image: LIBERTY Bell Bay General Manager Paul Venter, Asset Manager Jon Drew and HR Superintendent Aimee Gunn take part in the smoking ceremony at George Town in Tasmania.

At GFG Alliance we acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we operate, their enduring cultural and spiritual connection to country, and pay respects to Elders past and present.