Nominations now open for QRC’s 2020 Indigenous Awards

THE Queensland Resources Council (QRC) is calling for nominations for its 2020 Indigenous Awards which “recognise and celebrate the incredible achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the state’s resources sector”.

QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane said the resources sector was committed to providing economic pathways and opportunities to Indigenous Australians from Brisbane to Cape York.

“Our sector is a significant economic resource which can drive wealth and prosperity for Indigenous people and communities,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“Indigenous people comprise 4 percent of the state’s workforce in resources and Queensland’s Indigenous population is 4 percent. We are one of only two sectors with a true representation of Indigenous people in our workforce.  

“Another milestone is Indigenous women in resources who represent 24 percent of the Indigenous workforce, which is close to twice the non-Indigenous rate,” he said.

“Separately, land agreements under the Native Title Act provide benefits such as community development, education and heritage initiatives.”

The seventh annual awards on the June 1 will be presented during National Reconciliation Week, at the Howard Smith Wharves in Brisbane.

Keynote speaker will be Fiona Jose, chief executive officer at Cape York Partnership.

“Fiona is a proud Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander with a passion for empowering local change in Indigenous communities and understands the importance of showcasing Indigenous role models and ambassadors,” Mr Macfarlane said.

The Closing the Gap 2018 update reported 6599 Indigenous Australians were employed by the mining industry, an increase by 250 percent since 2006. The number of non-Indigenous Australians employed in mining had increased by 150 percent over the same period.

“The same report stated the mining industry itself is employing significantly more Indigenous Australians than previously and we need to champion these employees,” Mr Macfarlane said. 

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 to the Queensland resources sector.
• • Best Company Indigenous Procurement Initiative Award recognises companies that have developed and maintained strategies that increased Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business participation within resources sector supply chains or programs to support business development and capability in the broader economy.
• • Best Company Indigenous Employment and Training Initiative Award recognises companies that have developed and maintained strategies that enhance the attraction and retention of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in either the resources industry or broader economy.
• • 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.

Nomination forms: https://www.qrc.org.au/policies/qrc-indigenous-awards/

ends