Participants 👥
Staff across various departments, senior leaders and CEOs attended Muru Mittigar’s cultural sessions.
Participation was open to anyone, regardless of where they live or work, encouraging broad engagement
across the organisation.
Initiative Overview ✨
Endeavour Energy partnered with Muru Mittigar to deliver a six‑hour on‑Country cultural immersion program
aimed at deepening understanding and respect for Aboriginal culture. Each session was shaped by the Elder
delivering it, drawing on their experience and knowledge. Sessions incorporated truth‑telling, Welcome to
Country, a smoking ceremony and a water ceremony at a culturally significant site known as the Water Tree.
The program offered staff the opportunity to listen to Elders, reflect on history and develop a deeper
understanding of the Country they live and work on. These experiences were designed to build awareness,
support inclusion and encourage acceptance of cultural differences — aligning strongly with Endeavour
Energy’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and broader inclusion strategies.
About the Partnership 🤝
How the collaboration began
Mark was first introduced to Uncle Wayne during a Walk on Country recorded for a NAIDOC event, and from
that initial connection, a strong relationship has since developed.
Since then, Endeavour Energy has partnered with Chris and Wayne to lead further Walks on Country and has
provided native plants for the Blue Mountains Aboriginal Culture and Resource Centre (BMACRC). Muru
Mittigar facilitated the removal of invasive shrubs in the area, and Endeavour Energy supported a
volunteer tree‑planting day by supplying the replacement native plants.
Program Highlights 🌱
- Welcome to Country & Smoking Ceremony (led by the Elder)
- Cultural truth‑telling and storytelling
- Water ceremony at the Water Tree
- Interactive group work and open Q&A sessions
- Morning tea and lunch, creating space for informal dialogue
The program was delivered in a respectful, inclusive and flexible manner — tailored to each group’s
background and level of cultural understanding.
Presenter & Approach 🎤
The sessions were led by Uncle Wayne, who brings a deep commitment to sharing cultural knowledge. His
approach is agile, thoughtful and grounded in creating safe and supportive spaces for learning. Feedback
consistently praised Wayne’s ability to connect with participants and make everyone feel welcomed.
Staff were encouraged to ask questions, reflect on their learnings and participate in group discussions,
deepening engagement and enhancing learning outcomes.
Results & Impact 🌟
Early results include:
- Strong initial feedback — participants described the experience as insightful, powerful and moving.
- Staff who began the session quietly and uncertain became more engaged and open by the end, often
staying behind to speak with Elders. - A noticeable shift in cultural awareness and confidence — especially for those with limited prior
understanding of Aboriginal culture. - Uplifted staff morale and stronger alignment with Endeavour Energy’s RAP goals.
Future planning 📅
- Two additional sessions are scheduled.
- A plan is in place to gather more formal feedback and measure outcomes over time, particularly during NAIDOC Week.
- Ongoing interest in expanding access to cultural sessions and reviewing past programs to support continuous learning.
Additional Initiatives 🌏
Environmental Impact
Gina, Head of Sustainability, is leading a positive planting program in collaboration with Muru Mittigar.
The initiative involves sourcing native plants and restoring land using cultural planting knowledge —
further embedding Aboriginal practices into Endeavour Energy’s sustainability work.
Final Comments 💬
This collaboration between Endeavour Energy and Muru Mittigar represents a meaningful and evolving
relationship. By embedding cultural learning into the organisation’s structure, Endeavour Energy is not
only supporting reconciliation but fostering a more inclusive, informed and respectful workplace culture.
