Boral has officially returned a parcel of culturally significant land to its traditional owners, the Wadawurrung People, in Victoria.
Preparations commenced in mid-2018 to formally transfer the 3.6-hectare property to the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, the Registered Aboriginal Party representing the interests of the region’s Elders.
Boral’s CEO and Managing Director Zlatko Todorcevski said it was an honour to be at Waurn Ponds to take part in this important ceremony.
“Returning the land to its Traditional Owners is of special significance to Boral, and it has struck a chord with our people,” Todorcevski said.
“We recognise that returning this parcel of culturally significant land to its Traditional Owners is an important step to help close the gap between the company and our people, and the First Australians. We look forward to a continued strong relationship with the Wadawurrung People built on respect and collaboration.
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“This is just one aspect of the work we are doing to demonstrate our commitment to Reconciliation. Through Boral’s second Reconciliation Action Plan – our Innovate RAP – we are undertaking a range of important initiatives including employment strategies to employ more Aboriginal and Torres Straits Islander people and procurement programs to support Indigenous businesses,” he said.
Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation CEO Paul Davis said the value of this gesture cannot be understated.
“I genuinely hope that the history we are witnessing here today will inspire and encourage companies, private and public, to make a meaningful contribution to reconciliation,” Davis said.
“The legal title for the land, off Ghazeepore Road and known as Duneed Reserve, is in the process of being transferred by Boral to the Registered Aboriginal Party representing the Traditional Owners in recognition of the cultural significance the site holds.”