Aboriginal Cultural Heritage: Honouring our Traditional Owners
We acknowledge the Birriah People, the Traditional Owners of the land the Ravenswood Gold Mine operates. Ravenswood Gold values their deep connection to this land and the stewardship they provided over thousands of years. We are committed to integrating Aboriginal Cultural Heritage considerations into every aspect of our work to ensure we uphold our responsibility as good custodians of the land and contribute positively to the community.
Acknowledgement of Country
Ravenswood Gold acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Country on which we walk, live and work. We recognise their long history on the lands upon which our operations exist today and the care they gave to these lands for thousands of years. We pay our respect to their cultures and Elders past, present and future, and recognise their continuing connection to land, air and sea. Ravenswood Gold specifically acknowledges the Birriah People who are the Traditional Owners of the Country where the Ravenswood Gold Mine operates, the Bindal People who are the Traditional Owners of the Country where the Ravenswood Gold Townsville office and warehouse are located and the Yuggera and Turrbal People who are the Traditional Owners of the Country where the Ravenswood Gold head office is located in Brisbane.
Our commitment to Indigenous engagement
As part of our dedication, we have:
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Launched Traineeships and Development Programs: We are working towards our goal of 5% Indigenous employment through traineeships, apprenticeships, and professional development for Birriah People.
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Supported the Birriah Community: In 2023, we contributed $10,000 to aid 33 Birriah families through training and development initiatives.
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Engaged in Collaborative Dialogue: We participate in regular Project Committee meetings to explore collaboration opportunities with the Birriah People.
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Showcased Birriah Culture: We have installed appropriate signage at Ravenswood Mine and welcomed Birriah representatives at our official opening event and held our third annual NAIDOC event in Ravenswood.
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Developing a Reconciliation Action Plan: In 2024, we have commenced the preparation of our first Reconciliation Action Plan to support our efforts of continuing to further our relationship and support of our Traditional Owners.
Celebrating Birriah Artwork
'How the Goanna Got His Markings'
Roslyn Serico
In the Dreamtime, all the animals were invited to a Corroboree. They were told by the Elders to pair off and paint each other's bodies for the corroboree. Each pair of animals were given a coolamon with a coloured ochre paint to use. The goanna and the snake were paired off to paint each other. The snake said he wanted to be painted first, so the goanna painted the snake. The goanna was a good artist and took great care in his work. The goanna used up half of the paint on the snake, but the snake wanted more and more paint on his body. Goanna painted fine lines and dots over the snake's body with the greatest of care. Finally, the snake was satisfied with his body paint, and it was now his turn to paint the goanna but there was no paint left. The snake was lazy, and because it took a long time for the goanna to paint him, the time for the corroboree was now getting close. So, knowing there was very little time left until the corroboree, the snake rushed to paint only a few splashes of colour on the goanna's body. When snake had finished the goanna asked how he looked. The snake lied and said he looked beautiful. However, on the way to the corroboree the goanna walked past a waterhole and saw his reflection in the water. The goanna was angry about how he looked and rushed to fight the snake. The goanna and snake fought over this for a long, long time and they still fight over the same thing to this day. Today, this is why the goanna only has a few colours on his body and the snake has many different colours.
'The Joining'
Jaeda Lenoy
We as a nation and family join together in times of need, support, love, heartbreak and more. We also meet as the centre of the circle to be heard and seen. The joining representing meeting of men and women who travel the lands to meet us (the meeting place) to stand in their ancestors presence to present their family. To join is to bond and to bond is to cherish, to cherish is to nurture.
