WA businesses celebrate CCIWA Diversity and Inclusion Awards

The winners of the inaugural CCIWA and BHP Diversity and Inclusion Awards have been unveiled at a Gala Event at Crown Perth on Friday night. 

Following a red-carpet arrival, 740 guests from across Western Australia celebrated organisations and individuals that have demonstrated extraordinary dedication to diversity and inclusion.

From a strong field of nominations and selected finalists, the winners of the 11 categories were: 

Indigenous Inclusion Award  Laing O’Rourke  Mallard Contracting  Southern Aboriginal Corporation	Disability & Access Inclusion Award  WA All Abilities Football Association  Tourism Council Western Australia  Chevron Australia
Cultural Inclusion Award  Bachar Houli Foundation   Costa Group  Woodside Energy	Michael Parker Gender Inclusion Award  BHP  Rio Tinto  Whittens
LGBTQIA+ Inclusion Award  Fortescue  Alyce Schotte, Pride in Diversity  Woodside Energy	Community & Social Impact Award  Patricia Giles Centre for Non-Violence  Pilbara Kimberley University Centres  BHP
Individual Change Maker Award  Sheldon Smith, Curtin University  Deniz Kansak, Costa Group  Jessica Tandy, Fortescue	Workplace Wellbeing Award  Rio Tinto  XTEND Osborne Park  Yara Pilbara Fertilisers
Best D&I Initiative: Small Business  Hospitality Disability Network WA  Hair Inspiration Studio  Lo’s Cafe Fusion	Best D&I Initiative: Medium Business  Scitech  Illuminance Solutions  Winyama Contracting Group
Best D&I Initiative: Corporate Enterprise  Rio Tinto  Costa Group  Fortescue

The winners were chosen by an independent panel of judges. 

The Gala evening, hosted by 9 News Perth’s Tracy Vo, was filled with glitz and glamour, including live performances from Perth Pride Choir and WA All Abilities Dance Troupe before guests danced the night away to music from PROOF – The Band. 

Guests were also treated to the artistry of Henna Rochere, fashion illustrator Michelle Pike and the Spoilt Photo Booth.  

In a poignant moment, a tribute to the late Fremantle Ports CEO Michael Parker preceded the Gender Inclusion Award named in his honour. 

Parker was a leader who championed gender diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. 

Spotlight on business initiatives

CCIWA CEO Chris Rodwell said the event has put the spotlight on the big strides taken by WA organisations to make our state a better place.   

“It’s wonderful to see the way WA businesses have embraced diversity and inclusion in the realisation that it’s not only the right thing to do but also great for their business,” he said. 

“The winners exemplify the very best of WA and show us that while there’s still work to do to improve diversity and inclusivity in our workplaces, we’re well on the journey. The response this year has been way beyond initial expectations.”  

Rodwell said the awards were the first of their kind in Australia and would be back again in 2025.  

“We’re committed to making sure the efforts of businesses in this space are recognised, in the hopes it will encourage others to go on the same journey,” he said. 

The CCIWA Diversity and Inclusion Awards, in partnership with BHP, were sponsored by Fortescue, Good Sammys and media partner 9News Perth.   

 

For more on the D&I Awards, including the finalists and winners see here.