Aboriginal business engagement at Bow River Quarry
The project is working closely with Main Roads’ Kimberley Regional Office to source rock protection materials required for guidebank construction from Bow River Quarry.
Idarr Pty Ltd is an Aboriginal business based in Broome and has been engaged to carry out crushing works to prepare the rock protection material.
The rock is then transported to site and carefully placed to construct the guidebanks, which serve an important purpose in protecting the structure from flood damage.
Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony
In early June, Traditional Owner and Elder of the Gija people, Shirley Purdie, was invited to perform a ceremony to welcome the project team to Gija land at the Mabel Downs’ camp.
In her traditional language, Shirley spoke to her Gija ancestors, telling them new people were in their country and asking that they not be troubled during their stay.
A fire pit was prepared using specially selected local native plant leaves, with each team member invited to be cleansed by the smoke.
A morning tea followed, providing further opportunity for the project team members to meet with local people and make new connections.
Recognising NAIDOC Week
In recognition of NAIDOC Week, delivery contractor Fortec sponsored local business, Blak Tapas, to assist the organisation at the annual Aboriginal Business Expo.
The sponsorship enabled Blak Tapas to expand on activities for the Expo. This included supporting the showcasing of local Miriwoong Elders who gave cultural demonstrations on boab carving and making traditional damper bread.
The funding also enabled them to hire a local professional Aboriginal photographer, Jackamarra, to capture the event in pictures.
Traffic Controller training for Kimberley locals
As part of the Halls Creek to Kununurra Bridges project, eight members of the local Warmun community have completed a week-long traffic controller training course hosted by the Kimberley Job Pathways training centre in Warmun.
Read more in our latest project news story.
