Welcome to NAIDOC Week, a week which gives all Australians the opportunity to celebrate and learn about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, cultures and histories.
Western Sydney International Airport (WSI) CEO Simon Hickey said that we’re building a new international gateway in a region that’s home to the largest population of First Nations Australians, so are committed to ensuring we get the most out of this remarkable opportunity in terms of cultural, jobs and business opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
“Through our Reconciliation Action Plan, we continue to drive the core pillars of respect, opportunities, and relationships with First Nations people to celebrate culture, educate our staff and connect with communities across Western Sydney”, Mr Hickey said.
“We currently employ over 100 First Nations people and First Nations businesses account for over 10% of contracts across the total airport project”.
Western Sydney International Airport and its contractor AeroWest have opened a traditional Aboriginal learning circle.
The learning circle was constructed by First Nations employees from AeroWest, using materials donated by local Western Sydney business, Hytec Concrete.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from Western Sydney schools helped to open the circle, learning about the cultural significance of the yidaki, the traditional name for the didgeridoo, discovering the process for making fire from traditional materials and stencilling their hands onto the concrete.
The students were then taken on a tour of the airport construction site, learning about future jobs on site and what the new airport will do for the region.
The Learning Circle is part of a wider program ‘First Nations Taking Off’.
“The aim of this program is to teach local First Nations young people about the opportunities the airport will create and how they can get the skills needed to succeed in the multiple industries that will be a part of WSI”, Mr Hickey said.
“Overall, the program is committed to fostering connections between First Nations young people and First Nations employees across the project, as well as to provide the support and guidance needed for both groups to succeed in their chosen career paths.
“Western Sydney International Airport is grateful to the many First Nations people who have been instrumental in guiding us through our reconciliation journey and who have shared and continue to share their knowledge and wisdom”.
