WAALI - BHP-03

BHP Partners with WAALI to Expand Aboriginal Leadership Programs

BHP is proud to announce a new five-year partnership with the West Australian Aboriginal Leadership Institute (WAALI), valued at $1.875 million. This significant investment will enable WAALI to expand its leadership education for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across Western Australia, focusing on empowering the next generation of leaders.

WAALI has been operating since 2017 and recently celebrated the graduation of over 250 participants from its flagship Aboriginal Women’s Leadership Program, Yorga Djenna Bidi. Designed by Aboriginal people, for Aboriginal people, the program inspires participants to embrace leadership opportunities that strengthen both their personal and professional lives, rooted in cultural identity.

This new partnership, running from FY25 to FY29, marks BHP’s initial collaboration with WAALI. It will support WAALI’s operational capacity and provide scholarships for Aboriginal people across WA. Additionally, the partnership will drive regional expansion and the creation of new leadership programs, including a Men’s Leadership Program set to launch in early 2025, and an Elder engagement process, ensuring cultural continuity and resilience.

“We are thrilled to work alongside WAALI to support leadership opportunities that empower Aboriginal communities, particularly through education and cultural continuity,” said Allan James – Head of Indigenous Engagement. 

The partnership aligns with BHP’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) under the Culture and Community pillar, and the Indigenous Strategy Framework’s focus on Education and Training.