BHP Nickel West was pleased to host the first joint Tjiwarl and BHP community day event in Leinster, Western Australia. 

The local hall was transformed into an interactive hub with BHP and Tjiwarl providing information on culture, local procurement and employment opportunities along with land management, water and heritage planning.

Outside children had the opportunity to hone their football skills thanks to the Stephen Michael Foundation.

Reflecting on the strong relationship between BHP and Tjiwarl Jessica Farrell, Asset President Nickel West said: “We feel very privileged to host this special event which allows us to come together and celebrate our partnership which is delivering long term and mutually beneficial outcomes for Tjiwarl people and country.”

“We look forward to making even more of a difference in the communities in which we operate – with the strong support of our Indigenous and Traditional Owner partners.”

CEO of the Tjiwarl Aboriginal Corporation, the registered native title body corporate representing Tjiwarl people, Greg Ryan-Gadsden said: “Tjiwarl members thoroughly enjoyed the recent  community day hosted jointly by Tjiwarl and BHP in Leinster. It was an opportunity to come together to share food, engage with the many stall holders and to celebrate the significant achievements and partnerships made possible through the agreement. We look forward to sharing another amazing community day in 2024.”

When a Comprehensive Agreement between Nickel West and the Traditional Owners of the land was signed in 2018. This wide-ranging native title agreement was influenced heavily by the community’s ambitions and priorities in areas including culture, land management, business development, education and employment, laying the foundation for generational change and future collaboration.

Since then the partnership has delivered some great initiatives generated including:  

• The Tjiwarl work ready program which has seen 75 Tjiwarl Traditional Owners graduate, securing a Certificate II Resource Infrastructure and Work Preparation and a pathway into the resources industry.  
•  The Nickel West Cultural Awareness Training, created by Tjiwarl which has seen more than 50 per cent of Nickel West employees complete.
• Partnering to Protect Tjiwarl Parna initiative which won the Highly commended award at the recent BHP HSEC awards in Melbourne earlier this year which demonstrates how BHP are working in collaboration with Traditional Owners to document traditional knowledge and to protect country.