The ARA Group is pleased to have held the inaugural Wiimali Awards, where we recognised and celebrated Indigenous excellence across the ARA Group.
The Wiimali Awards, held on the 17th of October 2024, was designed to highlight the hard work and commitment of the Wiimali Program employees, graduates, mentors and the clients we work with.
The event began with an acknowledgment to country and the Gamay Dancers performance of traditional Indigenous dances. The awards for the Unsung Hero’s of Wiimali, and ARA efforts in reconciliation were presented during a luncheon at the Sheridan Hotel.
Wiimali Awards category
Unsung Heroes of Wiimali
The Unsung Heroes of Wiimali awards aim to recognise participants who have demonstrated:
- Active Participation – the nominee has taken a keen interest in their work and demonstrated a commitment to their job in both good and tough times.
- Active Kinecting – the nominee has actively sought to connect and support their fellow Wiimali members and their work colleagues.
- Taken Initiative – the nominee has taken opportunity to go above and beyond in doing their job and/or contributing to their workplace.
Congratulations to Renee Webb and Matthew Pannell, who won the 2024 Unsung Hero of Wiimali award.
ARA Efforts in Reconciliation
The ARA Efforts in Reconciliation awards will be presented to both an Indigenous and non-Indigenous employee. This award recognises an individual’s contribution towards reconciliation within their workplace. Nominee’s will have demonstrated the following:
- Outstanding achievements in supporting and/or delivering actions from the ARA Group Reconciliation Action Plan.
- Actively supported their fellow indigenous and non-indigenous staff in their workplace.
- Demonstrated their commitment to building and ensuring their workplace is a culturally safe environment.
Congratulations to Skie Webster and Paul Dieckmann, who won the ARA Efforts in Reconciliation award for 2024.
Graduate recognition
We congratulate all our employees who have recently completed their apprenticeship or further education. These dedicated individals are the future of ARA.
- Ali Behbahany – HVAC Technician
- Ebony Walk – Junior Security Technician
- Jack Cooper – Sprinkler Fitter
- Jonah Patterson – Junior Security Technician
- Matthew Pannell – Diploma of Leadership & Management (Yallagan RTO)
- Richard Seymour – Electrician
- Tyren Ryan – Sprinkler Fitter
Client recognition
The Wiimali awards: Recognising our clients.
This award acknowledges the partnerships we’ve built over the years. It was presented to our clients that have worked with us for more than five years. We celebrate their support, loyalty, and commitment.
- JLL – Whole of Australian Government
- Australia Post – Australia Post
- Scentre Group – National Fire maintenance
Many of our others clients who have supported Wiimali program for less than 5 years were also recognised on the day.
The Wiimali Program
The Wiimali Program is a key initiative of the ARA Group’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). Managed by ARA Indigenous Services, the innovative program is an employee recruitment, mentoring and community engagement program for all internal staff who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
The event recognised the members, ARA employees, and clients who support the Wiimali Program, as well as recognising the mentors who tirelessly to support those within the program. We thank those that continue to commit and support this program.
The inaugural awards were a huge success, and we look forward to celebrating Indigenous excellence within the ARA Group in years to come.