June 09, 2022
Alcoans take up the challenge to Be Brave and Make Change during Australian National Reconciliation Week
Alcoans across Australia proudly participated in National Reconciliation Week events in record numbers last week with the theme Be Brave. Make Change amplified through a variety of community and onsite events attended by our people.
Executive Vice President & Chief Operations Officer John Slaven joined Vice President Operations - Australia Michael Gollschewski and around 50 Alcoans on a Walk for Reconciliation at Kaarta Koomba (Kings Park). Focused on cultural learning and reflection, participants received a Welcome to Country under the Giant Boab and then undertook a one kilometre walk where they experienced truth telling sessions, live music and traditional dance.
In Bunbury employees also participated in a National Reconciliation Walk which commenced at Koombana Bay’s Wardandi Boodja sculpture and concluded with a flag-raising ceremony and story sharing activities.
Other community events attended by Alcoans included the Waaltij Foundation National Reconciliation Week Breakfast, the One Fire Reconciliation in the Park annual event and the BRAG Noongar Country exhibition.
Alcoa locations proudly recognised National Reconciliation Week in a variety of ways. The Aboriginal flag was raised onsite and information about the history and meaning of the week shared via education events, online presentations, posters and digital display boards.
New Acknowledgement of Country signage was unveiled at the entrance of Kwinana and Pinjarra refineries and at Huntly mine’s McCoy and Myara facilities.
At Kwinana and Pinjarra, the canteen served Indigenous inspired food and the Kwinana team started work on an Indigenous inspired garden and Yarning Circle. Twenty scholarships were also awarded as part of the Aboriginal Student Excellence Scholarship Program at Pinjarra Senior High School and Kwinana’s main public high school Gilmore College.
Portland Aluminium employees were presented a video about reconciliation and unveiled welcome signage in traditional language onsite and Anglesea and Pt Henry employees learned about the Uluru Statement From The Heart and attended local community events with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners.
National Reconciliation Week is celebrated between 27 May and 3 June every year and is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.