These prestigious awards recognise outstanding achievements and innovations across four key categories: Health Excellence, Safety Excellence, Environmental Excellence, and Community Excellence. They highlight the commitment of NSW’s mining industry to responsible practices and continuous improvement.

Port Waratah was an Award finalist in the Community category, showcasing our innovative cultural education initiative to deliver immersive In-Country experiences for our team and values our commitment to our Reconciliation Action Plan.

Our commitment to shifting perspectives through the power of connection In-Country was commended. The delivery of these experiences is a demonstration of reshaping cultural education in our industry by immersing employees in First Nations culture in Country.

The experiences were facilitated by Cultural Educator David Newham and First Nations Elder Uncle Paul Gordon at the Hunter Region’s Mount Sugarloaf. The experience involved participating in a smoking ceremony, bush medicine walk, and experiencing different ways of teaching and philosophy through storytelling. Across 12 sessions, in small groups of 20 people from a cross section of teams across Port Waratah, 70 per cent of employees participated in a local In-Country Experience. More than 240 team members connected with land, stories and traditions, moving beyond traditional training to create real impact.

The experiences supported meaningful engagement with local First Nations culture, history and connection to place.

Of the experiences, a participant reflected, 

“This was by far the most rewarding and beneficial programme I have been involved in. Programmes like this only scratch the surface but are a great start in understanding the past and moving forward in relation to Indigenous culture.” 

 Another shared, 

“This experience deepened my appreciation for Aboriginal heritage and the importance of loving and looking after our land for future generations.”