We’re privileged to work with our partners to deliver long-lasting, positive outcomes that benefit Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

RCC is as an Australian owned and operated company which began on the lands of the Eora Nation in 1976. Our role in the construction industry comes with both the responsibility and privilege of working with our partners to deliver long-lasting, positive outcomes for the benefit of Australia’s First Nation’s Peoples. 

Recognising our sites across the country are all on Aboriginal lands with distinct Aboriginal community groups, peoples, cultures, languages, histories, challenges and opportunities, we know that genuine, lasting impact can only be achieved by working together with our local community partners.  

Yesterday, we hosted a NAIDOC Week morning tea and online event with project teams calling in from around Australia to hear about the impact we, and the wider industry, can have. Special guests from some of our partner organisations GIRA and ARA Mechanical joined us to share their stories and what this year’s NAIDOC theme, ‘For Our Elders’ meant to them.  

GIRA is a First Nations solution-based company committed to delivering projects that create economic and social value while promoting sustainability. Liam Harte, CEO and Founder, and Rebecca Halliday, Principal and Founder, shared how GIRA’s consulting services combine history, culture and knowledge with technical expertise to build projects that are climatically and culturally responsive. Through our partnership with GIRA, RCC hopes to create mutually beneficial relationships that deliver education, skills training and career advancement opportunities for First Nations communities.  

“Our partnership with RCC will drive opportunity for Aboriginal and Torre Strait Islander businesses. These opportunities translate into employment, which leads to education – all these things can be contributed to closing the gap and achieving better outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” summarised the duo. 

Uncle Mark Wenberg, Indigenous Engagement Manager from ARA Group, ensures staff are working within culturally safe environments on infrastructure projects across Australia. Uncle Mark performed an acknowledgment of country and talked to us about ARA Mechanical’s journey to achieving 4% engagement of Indigenous employees in various roles including technicians, managers, apprentices and trade assistants, and 12% within ARA Indigenous Services in May this year. We were honoured to hear Mark talk about the role RCC’s partnership with ARA Mechanical has played in creating long-term, sustainable career opportunities for employees and the wider community.  

“Elders play a vital role in our communities and our families – this is a special week for Indigenous people across the nation, as we promote our culture to the wider community,” said Uncle Mark.  

Our team were spoilt with catering from Plate Events – a 100% Aboriginal owned and controlled business – who we thank for making our celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, cultures and histories meaningful and delicious. 

Thank you to our guests for sharing both your stories, and the importance of NAIDOC Week, with us.