Nominations are closing soon for the Queensland Resources Council’s (QRC) annual Indigenous Awards, a night to celebrate excellence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation in the State’s resources sector.
QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said the awards, presented during National Reconciliation Week, provide the opportunity to showcase exceptional performance by Indigenous individuals, businesses and resource companies economic participation initiatives.
“It is our hope that the award winners will go on to be ambassadors for the sector, acting as role models and encouraging more Indigenous people to join our industry,” said Mr Macfarlane.
“The awards are designed to celebrate the achievements of those companies and individuals making a real difference and to inspire others to do the same.
The Queensland resources industry has recommitted to playing its part in creating economic opportunities and jobs for Indigenous Australians following the release of the latest Closing the Gap report.
“Economic opportunities for Indigenous Australians are essential to making meaningful strides towards the Closing the Gap targets, and the resources sector had an important role to play,” Mr Macfarlane said.
“Last year Indigenous employment grew by 11 percent in the resources sector. The resources sector is committed to doing even more to extend economic opportunities to First Nations people, and we hope to see other sectors join us with the same goal.
“The resources sector is one of only two sectors in Queensland with a genuine representation of Indigenous employees. Indigenous people comprise 4 percent of the State’s workforce in resources and Queensland’s Indigenous population is 4 percent.
The awards are on the 27th May 2019 and nominations close on 5th April. Award-winning journalist and Wiradjuri man Stan Grant is the keynote speaker
QRC is accepting nominations across six award categories:
• Indigenous Advocacy Award | recognises Indigenous or non-Indigenous individuals that have demonstrated outstanding effort to encourage, promote and advocate for increasing Indigenous participation within the resources sector
• Exceptional Indigenous Person in Queensland Resources Award | recognises exceptional achievement by an Indigenous person working with the Queensland resources sector in any occupation or profession
• Exceptional Indigenous Business in Queensland Resources Award | recognises exceptional achievement by an Indigenous business supplying the Queensland resources sector
• Best Company Indigenous Procurement Initiative Award | recognises companies that have developed and maintained strategies that enhance supplier diversity and support increased Indigenous business participation within resources sector supply chains
• Best Company Indigenous Employment and Training Initiative Award | recognises companies that have developed and maintained strategies that enhance the attraction and retention of Indigenous people in the Queensland resources sector
• Exceptional Indigenous Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy Student Award | recognises exceptional achievement by an Indigenous student at a QMEA school who has shown significant promise and passion for a career in the Queensland resources sector.
