Celebrating cultural connection

Alcoa is pleased to highlight some recent milestones that demonstrate our ongoing commitment to reconciliation and meaningful collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. From commissioning artwork for our new head office to celebrating NAIDOC Week, these moments reflect our respect for culture, history and community.

A new home with a strong connection to Country

In August, we moved our Australian head office from Booragoon to Perth’s CBD. The move was marked by a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony led by Whadjuk Noongar Elder and Emeritus Professor Dr Len Collard. Employees, including Alcoa CEO and President Bill Oplinger and Alcoa Australia President Elsabe Muller, were invited to ‘wash away’ bad spirits, enter the new workplace with blessings from the good spirits (kwop wirrin), and establish a deeper connection with the surrounding land (boodjar).

Our new office sits on Spring Street, an area known to the Noongar people as Goodinap, after a freshwater spring that once flowed into the Derbarl Yerrigan (Swan River). This spring was a favoured camping ground of Whadjuk Noongar leader Yellagonga and a significant cultural landmark. In recognition, our boardroom now proudly carries the name Goodinap. Other spaces in the office also reflect Noongar language and meaning: Kadadjiny (knowledge) for our training room and Dandjoo (together) for a collaboration room.

At the heart of our reception is ‘Our Boodjah’, a stunning artwork by Noongar artist Bradley Kickett, commissioned to celebrate the new office and Alcoa’s connection to Country across Western Australia and Victoria.

“Bradley’s artwork brilliantly captures the deep relationship between water, land and people, which is something very important to us,” said James Grabski from our Aboriginal Engagement team.

“In his artwork he has symbolically reflected the traditional lands where our operations are located in Western Australia’s Peel and South West regions, and the south coast of Victoria where Alcoa’s Portland Aluminium Smelter is located.” See image of artwork below.

Honouring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander excellence

Alcoa proudly supported NAIDOC Week, reflecting our commitment to recognising the achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across Australia.

Perth hosted the National NAIDOC Awards ceremony, honouring individuals and groups who make outstanding contributions to their communities and to Australia as a whole. As a gold sponsor, Alcoa joined with Gnaala Karla Booja Aboriginal Corporation, Waroona Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation and Murray Districts Aboriginal Association to celebrate winners and nominees.

We also sponsored the NAIDOC Perth Awards which highlights the incredible work of local Western Australian leaders and organisations. We were proud to present the NAIDOC Perth Theme Award to Wungening Aboriginal Corporation, who were recognised for their impactful Noongar Warrior Month campaign.

Congratulations to all finalists and nominees whose achievements inspire us.