The crew at MACH Energy’s Mount Pleasant Operations celebrated NAIDOC Week 2024 with their annual gathering of their staff, contractors, the community, and the St Heliers Correctional Centre.
The theme for this year, “Blak, Loud and Proud”, encapsulates the unyielding spirit of Indigenous communities and the unapologetic celebration of Indigenous identity, empowering all to stand tall in their heritage and assert their place in the modern world.
On Friday July 12, MACH Energy put together a celebration at its Mount Pleasant Operations inviting all to stand in solidarity and celebrate together.
Muswellbrook Mayor Cr Steve Reynolds, General Manager MSC Derek Finnigan, CEO Wanaruah Local Aboriginal Land Council Deanne Douglas and St Heliers Gundi Program Manager Paul Boyce were all in attendance, with members of the Gundi Program at St Heliers, MACH Energy employees and contractors and other community members.
Ngaire Baker, Mount Pleasant Operation’s External Relations Manager, said it was wonderful to see so many people involved.
“I feel is important for all Australians to take time during NAIDOC Week to listen and learn from the Aboriginal community, Elders and all who want to speak. I hope our employees also use the celebration as an opportunity to connect with members of the community they normally wouldn’t have the chance to.
“I thoroughly enjoy organising the event for the team at Mount Pleasant and will be forever thankful that I have such a supportive team on site and from our corporate office in Newcastle.
“It is tremendous to see our contractors Thiess, Sedgman, Blackrock, Dreampath/Protech and many others taking time out of their busy days to be involved. The number of people who saw me after the event to express their thanks and say how much they enjoyed the event is testimony to the importance of sharing events like NAIDOC on site.”
The Gundi Program Dancers from St Heliers are a highlight of the event every year with local Elders and Uncle Richie Lawton who put together a Didgeridoo performance that was exceptional.