Altogether One Place: Championing People and Community in Reconciliation

ALTOGETHER ONE PLACE: CHAMPIONING PEOPLE AND COMMUNITY IN RECONCILIATION
• Traditional Owners of Awabakal, Worimi and Wonnarua communities gathered in Tomago, NSW to build a future that respects and unites all communities.
• Ngumbaaydyil, an artwork created by Renae Lamb, was unveiled by Meryl Swanson MP, Federal Member for Paterson.
• Ampcontrol launched its inaugural Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) through the Reconciliation Australia program.

At a gathering on Worimi Country today, Traditional Owners joined members of the Hunter community to champion a future that respects and unites all communities. The celebration opened with a Welcome to Country performed by Uncle Leigh Ridgeway, Chairperson of the Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council who later performed a traditional smoking ceremony on the grounds of Ampcontrol in Tomago. Meryl Swanson MP, Federal Member for Paterson and Chair of Standing Committee on Agriculture was joined by Gillean Shaw, Art Curator of University Galleries at the University of Newcastle to unveil the artwork of Renae Lamb. Focusing on the cultural significance of the Hunter River, Ngumbaaydyil illustrates how the waterways of the Hunter River flow and connect from the landscape to the sea, connecting communities and honouring ancestors.

At the unveiling, Ampcontrol launched their inaugural Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), joining a network of more than 2200 corporate, government and not-for-profit organisations that have made a formal commitment to reconciliation through the Reconciliation Australia program. Informed by the Aboriginal community coordinating the YAKKA program at Career Links, Training Services NSW, Wahroonga Aboriginal Corporation, the University of Newcastle, and the Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council, the RAP focuses on meaningful ways to strengthen relationships, demonstrate respect and create opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Through a recent workplace survey, Ampcontrol found that at least 4% of their workforce identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Ampcontrol is committed to developing and maintaining an inclusive workplace environment that embraces and celebrates all cultures, inclusive of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, cultural protocols, values, histories, lands, and community bodies.

The RAP is a key feature of the Ampcontrol approach to sustainability which goes beyond net zero targets and involves a collaborative approach with communities, finding a balance between People, Planet, and Profit. It supports one of the Ampcontrol key-identified United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, SDG 8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all. Ampcontrol strongly advocates for a ‘just energy transition’ as they challenge the future and seek to lead the global energy revolution by transforming the world through collaboration.

A full copy of the Ampcontrol Reconciliation Action Plan is available at https://ampcontrolgroup.com/resource/ampcontrol-reflect-rap

ATTRIBUTABLE QUOTES Meryl Swanson MP, Federal Member for Paterson and Chair of Standing Committee on Agriculture. “Here in the Hunter region, we have a rich history, culture, and deep connections to the land of the Awabakal, Worimi and Wonnarua communities. It is absolutely vital for us to honour these enduring connections with Country and work together to build a future that respects and unites all communities.” Rod Henderson, Ampcontrol Managing Director & CEO “While this RAP is an important first step in our reconciliation journey, we know there is much more to do to address the inequity faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people today. As we lead the global energy revolution towards net zero, our RAP will provide a framework to become a culturally competent organisation that respects and delivers opportunities for First Nations peoples and their communities throughout Australia.” Mikhaila Halford, Ampcontrol Workforce Solutions Manager & RAP Champion “To support a just future, we’re developing strategies and plans that would see more inclusion and diversity in our workplace. We want to ensure equal access and support with employment is available to a wide range of candidates, including females, First Nations people, and neurodiverse individuals.” Renae Lamb, Artist and Owner of Midnight Dreaming Studio Renae Lamb is a proud descendant of the Wiradjuri, Wongaibon people of the Central West. “My purpose is to share my culture and empower Indigenous women to shine bright. When our cultural practices are acknowledged and respected, true reconciliation will follow.” “Ngumbaaydyil is a Wiradjuri word my people use meaning ‘altogether one place’. Humankind was once united on Country; we shared kindness and compassion, so let’s work together and get back to oneness. Now, more than ever, for true reconciliation, we honour the enduring strength and vitality of First Nations culture, ensuring we, as a united community, continue to share out sustainable practices and are Ngumbaaydyil.”

Mikhaila Halford, Ampcontrol Workforce Solutions Manager & RAP Champion
Rod Henderson, Ampcontrol Managing Director & CEO
Kaiyu Maynard, Member of Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council
Karen Moran, Career Links YAKKA Program Coordinator
Leigh Ridgeway, Chairperson of Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council
John Ridgeway, Member of Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council
Kerri Sadler, Career Links YAKKA Program Coordinator
Gillean Shaw, Art Curator of University Galleries at the University of Newcastle
Meryl Swanson MP, Federal Member for Paterson and Chair of Standing Committee on Agriculture