BHP : Meet Taleasha during National Reconciliation Week

As part of National Reconciliation Week 2022, we are honoured to share the stories and words of some amazing people at BHP who have been pioneering the way with reconciliation.

Taleasha Morrice joined BHP almost eight years ago on an operator traineeship. Since then, she has obtained multiple qualifications and joined the Autonomous Haulage leadership team as an AHS Mine Control Supervisor in March 2021.

By day, Taleasha supports her team to safely execute the GRM pre-strip 24-hour plan. She has created a culture of care within her team where everyone feels valid and confident to speak up and share their thoughts, and she is focused on providing ongoing development opportunities for her team so they can achieve their career development goals.

She is passionate about building, creating, and encouraging an inclusive and diverse workspace, and is always looking for opportunities for continuous improvement throughout BHP, though data analysing, field leadership activities and learning opportunities identified through events.

What does reconciliation mean to you?

"Reconciliation should promote an inclusive, diverse workplace and community (this includes people from all walks of life) by listening to others share their history and stories, as well as sharing my own. It means educating and teaching the broader community about the different traditions, spirits and custodians of the first nations people culture, and promoting and encouraging first nation people to take every opportunity presented."

What does this year's theme Be Brave, Make Change. mean to you?

"To me, being brave and making change is about reflecting on the past and looking forward to a brighter future, by building relationships and trust between first nations people and the broader community. It means working with BHP to identify gaps and working to resolve cultural challenges such as creating opportunities for more First Nations people to work at BHP and be proud of that achievement."

If society commits to bravery and change in the spirit of reconciliation, what does the future look like in your mind?

"First nations people will continue to live in a society free from discrimination and will be given the same opportunities as other Australians. Such as employment opportunities, stable accommodation, education and live a healthy, longer life. First nations people and the broader community will share each other's stories, history, ideas and come together to celebrate and be seen as a united community. My children and my children's children not having to see Australia's history repeating itself and go through what my mum, nanny, and grandmother had to go through in the way of fighting for what we now have and stand for. It means learning from the past to make a better future."

Thank you to Taleasha for sharing your story. We encourage everyone to play their part and help contribute towards reconciliation in some way this week.