Reconciliation Week 2022
BESIX Watpac will celebrate Reconciliation Week this week with events on our project sites and offices.
National Reconciliation Week (27 May – 3 June) is an important time of year for BESIX Watpac and to mark the occasion we are excited to launch our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan and unveil our new RAP artwork by artist and Wiradjuri woman, Narelle Urquhart at a series of events around the country.
We have a commitment at BESIX Watpac to Indigenous engagement and are passionate about continuing our journey. The theme this year for National Reconciliation Week is “Be Brave. Make Change”.
We have made significant progression in our business over the past four years including; beginning our Reconciliation Action journey in 2020, setting Indigenous participation targets on projects, establishing a National Indigenous Staff Network, increasing our engagement with local mobs and supporting a new charity partner - Australian Indigenous Education Foundation (AIEF).
Our shared story is captured beautifully in our new Innovate RAP artwork by Indigenous artist, Narelle Urquhart.
‘New Ground’ represents our growth and expansion across First Nations country. The middle of the art illustrates BESIX Watpac’s travelling tracks, symbolising the relationships, unity and reconciliation through our shared journey, past, present and future.
Narelle is a proud Wiradjuri woman from central-southern NSW and we’re delighted our stories are entwined forever. View the video below for more insight into our reconciliation journey.
#Supporting AIEF
Last year BESIX Watpac began our relationship with the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation (AIEF) which provides funding for Indigenous students to complete their studies and pursue fulfilling careers.
Kick-starting this commitment, we initiated the Christmas Giving Campaign, which aimed to tackle the challenges of lockdown for rural Indigenous students and help make a real difference for communities that need a hand. Recently during our move to Jubilee Place, we offered employees the chance to take home the office furniture for a donation to AIEF and raised $390.
Along with several other projects, BESIX Watpac has now donated over $15,000 to AIEF and their inspiring vision. AIEF supports over 1,000 young Indigenous people from over 400 communities in every state and territory of Australia. This funding will help provide scholarships for these students to complete Year 12 or tertiary studies and career support to help them make a successful transition to employment.
This year alone, BESIX Watpac donations have supported work readiness, career planning and skills development workshops for AIEF Scholarship Students. These contributions have helped AIEF tremendously to empower young Indigenous people to cultivate a bright future for themselves and the nation.
Smoking Ceremony marks start of latest Ferry Wharf
A Smoking Ceremony and Welcome to Country marked the start of construction of the Greenwich Point Wharf upgrade - the latest wharf upgrade in Transport for NSW’s Safe Accessible Transport Program being delivered by BESIX Watpac.
Link bridge in place at new mental health facility
The link bridge connecting the new Secure Mental Health Rehabilitation Unit into the existing facility at the Gold Coast University Hospital has recently been lifted into place.
Final span in place at Kangaroo Point Bridge
Final span installation signifies a significant milestone in the construction of the Kangaroo Point Bridge.