BHP has announced a major partnership with the West Australian Aboriginal Leadership Institute (WAALI), committing $1.875 million over five years to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership development in Western Australia.
This funding will enable WAALI to broaden its educational reach, with a focus on empowering emerging leaders.
WAALI, established in 2017, has recently celebrated a milestone in its flagship Aboriginal Women’s Leadership Program, Yorga Djenna Bidi, which has graduated over 250 participants.
Designed by and for Aboriginal people, the program encourages participants to embrace leadership roles that strengthen both their personal and professional lives while maintaining cultural identity.
The new partnership, which runs from the 2024–25 financial year (FY25) to FY29, represents BHP’s first collaboration with WAALI. It aims to enhance WAALI’s operational capacity, provide scholarships, and extend its programs across regional areas in Western Australia.
This expansion includes the introduction of new initiatives, such as a men’s leadership program scheduled to launch in early 2025, and an Elder engagement process to ensure that cultural traditions and resilience are upheld.
“We are thrilled to work alongside WAALI to support leadership opportunities that empower Aboriginal communities, particularly through education and cultural continuity,” BHP head of Indigenous engagement Allan James said.
The collaboration aligns with BHP’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) under its Culture and Community pillar, and with its Indigenous Strategy Framework’s focus on Education and Training.
By supporting WAALI, BHP aims to foster sustainable leadership opportunities that contribute to both community and cultural growth, reinforcing the organisation’s commitment to Aboriginal empowerment across Western Australia.
Subscribe to Australian Mining and receive the latest news on product announcements, industry developments, commodities and more.
