Members of our team in Toowoomba braved close-to-zero-degree temperatures to join with the community and celebrate the Flag Raising Ceremony, which kicked off local celebrations for NAIDOC Week in the region.
At the event organised by the Toowoomba NAIDOC Committee, the crowd were Welcomed to Country followed by a troupe of Indigenous dancers celebrating their heritage of totem animals like the eagle and snake - highlighting this year's theme Heal Country.
Business Support Manager Elena Acorta says around 200 people attended the event including members of the Toowoomba Regional Council, local businesses and organisations like Ventia, Indigenous elders and community members.
Elena says she appreciates that NAIDOC Week events provide a platform to celebrate and honour Australian Indigenous people and culture. "This week is an opportunity to strengthen the message of tolerance, reconciliation and harmony," she says.
In attendance along with Elena were Rig and Well Services Contract Managers Alan Barnes and Luke Webb, and Commercial Assistant for the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing contract Robyn Blair.
Alan says he's usually working out at site, so attending an event like this was new for him.
Attending this year's NAIDOC Flag Raising has given me a much greater understanding of the part we play in reconciliation through increased Indigenous participation in our business.
Flags were raised during the ceremony and paused at half-mast to observe a minute's silence to commemorate those community members who were lost in the previous 12 months. Mayor Paul Antonio delivered a heartfelt speech which concluded the ceremony.
Several events have been held across the region throughout the week, including fundraising and sporting activities.
Pictured above: L-R Elena Alcorta (Rig and Well Services); Robyn Blair (Toowoomba Second Range Crossing); Anthony Sattler (Toowoomba Second Range Crossing); Luke Webb (Rig and Well Services); Alan Barnes (Rig and Well Services) and Christopher Scott (Rig and Well Services).
NAIDOC Week runs from 4 to 11 July in Australia.