Thiess celebrates NAIDOC week

“NAIDOC Week is a time for our community to come together and celebrate our rich culture, history, and achievements. It’s a time to honour our ancestors and the enduring connection we have to the land. I look forward to camping on country with my kids and family, fishing, cooking, and sharing knowledge through story telling. “

Gary Froome is a Mining Supervisor at the Iron Bridge mine where Thiess is delivering mining and maintenance services for Fortescue . He says, “I’ve had the privilege of working for Thiess at Iron Bridge since its inception two years ago and it has been incredible to witness the transformation of this place into what it is today.”

When asked why NAIDOC Week was important, Gary says, “as a proud Wadandi Noongar Man, NAIDOC Week is significant to me like many proud Indigenous Australians. NAIDOC Week is a time for our community to come together and celebrate our rich culture, history, and achievements. It’s a time to honour our ancestors and the enduring connection we have to the land. I look forward to camping on country with my kids and family, fishing, cooking, and sharing knowledge through story telling. “

Gary also looks forward to seeing more new-to-industry dump truck trainee operators join the program at Iron Bridge. He says he has enjoyed supporting the implementation of the new-to-industry dump truck trainee program for Indigenous and non-Indigenous trainees. “It has been rewarding to see the trainees’ enthusiasm and willingness to learn as they begin their mining careers.” 

Across the country in NSW, we spoke with Isabella a colleague who started her career as a trainee.

Isabella is a proud Anēwan Woman working at Thiess Mt Arthur South in the Hunter Valley. Her journey began with the MASITE (Mt Arthur South Indigenous & Inclusiveness Trainee Employment) Program, where she joined as a trainee, eager to make her mark in mining.   

Isabella was first introduced to the world of mining on site as a COVID tester. She had heard about the Thiess MASITE Program, which was designed to encourage Indigenous and female candidates to pursue careers in mining.   "I didn't know much about Thiess before I started the program," she said, "but when I joined the team, I quickly realised it was a great place to work, where people genuinely wanted me to succeed."  

Throughout the 12-month traineeship, Isabella attained a Certificate III in Surface Extraction, CAT 793 rear Dump Truck Skill, Light Vehicle competency, and a First-Aid Certificate. The program's unique training methods, including immersive simulators and a custom-built sandpit with model machinery, helped her understand important concepts in a fun and engaging way.  

Isabella's dedication and hard work paid off when she transitioned from the MASITE Program to a permanent position at Thiess.  "The MASITE program allowed me to gain so many new skills and has set me on the right path for my career," she explained. As her confidence grew, Isabella found herself taking on more responsibilities and eventually stepped into a dispatch role. As Isabella continues to progress in her career, she is keen to promote the opportunities in the mining industry and highlight that there are various roles and pathways outside of operating for Indigenous people.

"A great career is about the workplace culture and the role you’re doing," she said. "Thiess offers the best of both worlds for me. It’s a great company to work for, and that's what I want people to know."