About Us
Our aim is to establish a diversified Aboriginal business with a portfolio of investments to ensure resilience in the face of economic and resource sector fluctuations.
We aim to maximise economic, social and environmental returns which will ensure social and economic independence for current and future generations of the Murujuga community.
Our vision and mission
Our vision is to be a commercial business founded on enduring Aboriginal culture and heritage, maximising value to Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation by transforming the lives of its stakeholders for today and the future.
This is in turn supported by our Mission of enabling economic self-determination for the Murujuga community through innovative and competitive commercial activities.
Our business principles
Our strategic advantage lies in our foundation on Aboriginal country, culture and heritage, the unique country entrusted to Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation, and the ability to build strategic partnerships in support of business objectives.
Our decision-making is guided by the following business principles:|Priority is given to partnering with Murujuga member businesses where they are aligned with our strategic focus.
Respect for Aboriginal heritage, tradition and culture
Sustainability to ensure maximum economic, social and environmental returns
Partnerships for mutual benefit at the heart of our business growth strategy
Priority is given to partnering with Murujuga member businesses where they are aligned with our strategic focus.
Our brand and identity
Our MCL logo is represented by the Baler shell; a symbol of thriving traditional life. The Baler shell was once highly prized and valued for its practical and decorative uses, it symbolises the strong trading partnerships between the coastal and inland people representing business and trade taking place in the area and beyond, for tens of thousands of years. MCL now carries out solid commercial business practices to support the families and future generations of the traditional owners of the area. The five marks on the sand that cradle the Baler shell represent the Ngarluma, Yaburara, Mardudhunera, Yindjibarndi, and Wong-Goo-Tt-Oo people. Graduating colours used represent the land and sea of the unique tentative world heritage listed Murujuga area.
Our Team
Trevena Hicks-Phillips
Trevena Hicks-Phillips is a Ngarluma woman born and raised in the Pilbara with close family connections to the Yindjibarndi, Yamatji and Noongar people.
Trevena has 17 years of operations planning and maintenance support experience in the oil and gas sector. This was preceded by several years maintenance support experience in the construction and mining industries. She is recognised for her expertise in project planning and contract management.
Trevena is an experienced Company Director and has been a director at Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation (MAC) since 2014. A member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) she is currently furthering her studies in leadership, management and business.
Trevena is a powerful advocate for the furtherance of good governance practices and the empowerment of Aboriginal businesses.
NELLIE Connors
Nellie Connors is a member of the Ngarluma Community with more than 10 years experiencing working within the community of Roebourne. Over these 10 years, she has worn many hats working in Community Services.
After gaining her Certificate 3 in Youth Work, she worked at the local Youth Centre in Roebourne. From there Nellie has worked in both disability and community services. In recent years she has worked as a mentor to others through the WY Program with NYFL, and since 2021 as the Aboriginal Engagement Manager with NBAC and an Executive Trainee with KBSSBRIDA.
She has also been a Director on the MAC Board since 2020.
Jahna Cedar
Jahna Cedar is a Nyiyaparli woman from the Pilbara and is currently Principal at Jahna Cedar Consulting. A strong Indigenous community leader, she has worked for over 20 years advocating for equal rights and reconciliation of Indigenous people and has represented Indigenous Australia at the United Nations in New York, on three occasions. In 2012, Jahna was the youngest person to be elected into the WA International Women’s Day Hall of Fame and in 2017 proudly won Business news 40 under 40, First amongst equals. Jahna was also awarded Telstra Business Women Awards WA – For Purpose and Social Enterprise Winner in 2017 and was a finalist in the Western Australian of the year awards in 2021. A motivational leader, Jahna’s corporate experience includes 20 years in business/human resources management and consultancy, including the implementation of organisational and change management strategies, projects and policy development, in both the Not for Profit and Private sector, whilst sitting on numerous boards.
Derek (Jig) Albert
Derek is an innovative and motivated management professional with more than 30 years extensive experience across the Australian oil and gas, construction, and property industries, He has a passion for delivering long term, sustainable outcomes within regional communities. He enjoys the challenge of small to medium business development and love watching organisations thrive in an otherwise difficult and challenging business context.
Alongside a broad ranging career, he has a range of supporting qualifications that have assisted in delivering positive outcomes in business planning, operations management, and practical leadership. His hands on experience with company directorship, supply chain sustainability, local content, contract management, and regulatory compliance has seen his develop an outstanding reputation in this arena. In addition, his expertise in global reporting, financial management, sales and marketing, cultural awareness, and strategic stakeholder relationships has supported the delivery of projects and programs to support business growth. An exceptional communicator with a high level of integrity, Derek possesses the ability to build lasting business relationships to work efficiently with clients, traditional owner groups, and key stakeholders to meet and exceed business goals and objectives.
Lachlan Haughey
Lachlan has been working in the financial services industry for more than twenty years and has developed extensive experience consulting with corporations and trusts across Australia. He feels privileged that through his work, he has been able to engage with Communities to be able to improve the outcomes of the communities that he works with.
Lachlan has held roles in sales and marketing, consulting and business development. Before his current role as the National Manager of Native Title at Perpetual, Lachlan has held senior regional executive roles as SA, WA and NT State Manager for ANZ Trustees and Equity Trustees and as a specialist Adviser on not-for-profits investment management. Lachlan has been involved extensively with the indigenous sector in throughout Australia, having established trusts and held relationships with significant mandates.
Lachlan has tertiary qualifications with a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Finance and Commercial Law. He has also completed a graduate diploma in Financial Services that included study in Investment Management, Superannuation and Insurance.