ICRG named indigenous business of the year

Welshpool-based Indigenous Construction Resource Group has been named 2016 business of the year at the Perth NAIDOC Awards.

Shane Cable, chief operating officer of the contractor, accepted the award at a ceremony on Friday night.

“We are humbled to receive the award, which could not have been possible without the support and commitment of our 200-plus employees, of which 60 per cent are indigenous,” Mr Cable said.

“We would like to particularly thank Fortescue Metals Group, which provided us with our first contracting opportunity and with which we continue to have a strong working relationship.

"We would also like to recognise the sponsor of this award, Roy Hill, which has supported ICRG’s vision.

“It is great achievement that we now contract to big companies and work with the community and traditional owners of the land. We provide that link.”

ICRG is Western Australia’s largest indigenous contractor.

Naidoc Perth chair Glenda Kickett said the award recognised ICRG’s significant contribution to the indigenous community of WA.

“ICRG’s established business model focuses on partnering and forming joint ventures with traditional land owner groups,” she said.

“ICRG has delivered on its commitment to create opportunities for indigenous people to enter into the mining, civil and related industries via entry level positions.

“The company backs that up by creating real career pathways for employees and assisting others establish their own small contracting businesses.”

Mr Cable said the award had spurned ICRG on to make a commitment to support up-and-coming indigenous businesses.

“In 2017 we will support an indigenous entrepreneur of the year Naidoc award,” he said.

“This will be a tremendous opportunity for the thousands of indigenous entrepreneurs nationwide.

“We are passionate about encouraging and providing direction for Indigenous entrepreneurs to achieve their goals.”

ICRG has established four joint venture companies with traditional owner groups and one non-indigenous joint venture company.

Earlier this week, Business News reported that ICRG had elected a new chairman, Raymond Drage, and had confirmed plans to lift both Aboriginal ownership and Aboriginal participation on its board.