Santos celebrates NAIDOC Week 2022 20^th Jul 2022

Santos has celebrated NAIDOC Week 2022 with a number of events and festivities around Australia.

This year’s theme was ‘Get up, Stand up, Show up!’ seeking continued momentum for systemic change and recognising the rights of Indigenous Australians.

Scroll to read more about how Santos staff and communities celebrated NAIDOC Week around the nation.

Darwin – NT
Santos was a proud sponsor of NT NAIDOC Week and the 2022 NT NAIDOC Awards, held on Larrakia Country at the Darwin Convention Centre, presenting the Female Elder of the Year Award to local Indigenous education advocate and leader Margaret Anstess.

At Santos’ Darwin LNG site, staff and contractors came together for a Welcome to Country by Larrakia elder Jeanneen McLennan followed by a very special smoking ceremony by Trent Lee and his father Tony Lee. Santos also sponsored Darwin’s ‘Arts in the Long Grass’ event as part of NAIDOC Week in the Top End at Mindil Beach. Around 60 rough sleepers enjoyed a big breakfast with Larrakia Nation Staff and other community organisations, and provided with toiletries and sanitary packs, blankets, water bottles and hats, and access to mobile showers, laundry and healthcare services. The ‘long grassers’ will also complete large artwork over the next few weeks to mark the occasion.

Gladstone – QLD
In celebration of NAIDOC Week in Gladstone, Santos GLNG supported the NAIDOC Week March. Gladstone’s main street transformed for the community procession, continuing down at the Barney Point Esplanade for the NAIDOC Week Family Picnic.

This inclusive event welcomed everyone from the Gladstone Community to join the day’s festivities and learn more about First Nations culture and history, with many families sharing stories and participating in rides and competitions.

Karratha & Perth – WA
More than 250 staff and contractors in the Santos Perth Office came together for morning tea events to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and learn more about First Nations cultures and histories.

Traditional owner and Wadjuk Noongar representative Mr Barry McGuire conducted a Welcome to Country on behalf of the Wadjuk people, consisting of an informative and engaging talk in Noongar, translated into English, followed by a traditional song utilising boomerangs.

Santos was also a major sponsor of NAIDOC week celebrations in Karratha, including a Community Concert headlined by Christine Anu.

Whyalla – SA
Santos supported the Whyalla NAIDOC Committee across a number of events including an Elders lunch attended by over 30 Elders, together with the Mayor of Whyalla and CEO of the Council. A handful of local Santos staff also tried their luck at the NAIDOC week golf day.

Roma – Queensland
Santos was a proud contributor to the NAIDOC Gala Awards, a great opportunity to recognise the dedicated and hardworking Indigenous community members within the Maranoa. As part of the award ceremony Santos sponsored the 2022 Indigenous Business of the Year Award, which this year honoured Robbie O’Toole from Roma Security Services.

Santos also supported a NAIDOC skate park event organised by the Surat Aboriginal Corporation, which saw 15 children of various ages come together to learn tips and tricks for skateboarding. This annual event encourages Indigenous families and the wider community to come together, fostering the relationship between the community, its members and local service providers.

As a company, Santos prides itself on engaging with local communities, including Indigenous communities, and are committed to supporting programs to help improve the lives and prosperity of Indigenous people. Thank you to everyone involved in the planning, coordination and preparations for these events, and to the community members who took part in one of Santos’ NAIDOC Week events.