Following our announcement of the Women in Defence Awards 2024 finalists, ADM will be introducing each of our amazing finalists across the categories in more detail. Today we are focusing on the finalists in our Indigenous category.
In this category, judges were looking for entries that exhibited a remarkable contribution to Defence or defence industry from an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander woman. The finalists in this category are all-rounders who demonstrated excellence in their roles in 2023, a clear commitment to personal values, and a willingness to advocate for others and support community.
The winners and Hall of Fame inductee will be announced at a gala dinner at The National Arboretum, Canberra, on 17 October 2024. Book your tickets here – we hope to see you there!
Rikki Cooper WINNER
National Indigenous Engagement Manager
BGIS
In 2023, Rikki Cooper travelled around Australia to deliver in-depth cultural awareness training to every individual BGIS employee, helping to promote a positive culture of inclusion and acceptance within the company. Rikki’s approach goes beyond just delivering training and packing up. She engages, listens and helps empower diverse employees within BGIS. In her role, Rikki has driven significant cultural change within BGIS, which has led to better outcomes across the board for the company, its clients and its employees.
The judging panel was impressed by the scale of Rikki’s achievements in 2023 as well as the impact on others that they have had. During the year, Rikki personally delivered cultural awareness training to every BGIS employee, contributing to positive cultural change within the organisation. Rikki’s work involved an inordinate amount of travel and personal sacrifice.
Kellie Curry
Leading Seaman Aviation Support - Recruit Instructor for the tri-service Indigenous Pre Recruit Program (IPRP)
Royal Australian Navy
In her role as a recruit instructor for the Australian Defence Force Indigenous Pre Recruit Program (IPRP), Kellie is often the first indigenous person in uniform that recruits meets, and she plays a critical role. In 2023, she helped three intakes of recruits through the IPRP, for a total of 27 recruits. She was one of only two instructors present for each intake and was the only Indigenous instructor present for all three. Kellie played a critical role in supporting recruits to be aware of and accepting of their cultures, as well as those of the Royal Australian Navy and broader Australian Defence Force.
Belinda Murdoch
Head of Indigenous affairs
Laing O’Rourke
In 2023 Belinda implemented a suite of initiatives that embedded indigenous awareness, recruiting and retention strategies within every aspect of Laing O’Rourke’s business. The changes, developed through years of research, are unique to Laing O’Rourke, Defence and the construction industry. They focus on protecting cultural heritage around project sites and promoting the employment of people from indigenous communities. The strategies Belinda has implemented place Indigenous people at the centre of each and every Laing O’Rourke project.
