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.
Shanine Ryan
Shanine Ryan, a proud Ngarluma woman with connections to Yindjibarndi and other Pilbara language groups, has a strong corporate background, particularly from her thirteen years at Woodside, where she advocated for Indigenous representation and inclusion and diversity initiatives in the oil and gas industry. Her inclusive approach emphasises personalised employment solutions and flexibility, along with improvements in ways of working, training and employment outcomes.
In her current role as the Regional Director, Pilbara with the Department for Planning, Lands and Heritage, Shanine focuses on awareness of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 (AHA) and protecting Aboriginal heritage in the Pilbara. Her early work in the not-for-profit sector equipped her with the skills to empower others, and she has extensive experience across various industries, including travel and tourism.
As Chairperson of the Empowering People in Communities board since 2022, Shanine is dedicated to promoting social justice, cultural awareness, and empowerment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Western Australia, actively addressing systemic inequalities and advocating for meaningful change for those more disadvantaged people in communities. Shanine is also Deputy Chairperson of Ngarliyarndu Bindirri Aboriginal Corporation (NBAC) and its subsidiaries, a member of the Regional Remote Education Advisory Council (RREAC) and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).
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.
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.