The official opening of the Kevin Fred Room at Newcrest Mining’s Telfer operations celebrates and signifies the ever-growing and closer relationship between Newcrest and the neighbouring Martu people.
Located at the company’s Telfer gold mine in Western Australia, the room is named after Martu elder Kevin Fred, and is the first of any building at Telfer named to honour an individual, recognising the 16-year period during which Kevin worked tirelessly to help strengthen relationships and trust between Newcrest Mining and the Martu people.
The Kevin Fred Room is located in the old Exploration block at Telfer, where Kevin was frequently based while participating in and leading heritage surveys for Newcrest Mining since the early 2000s.
Newcrest Mining Telfer Manager External Affairs and Social Performance Ben Bryant said Kevin had made a singularly important contribution in enabling hundreds of willing Martu men and women to secure training and employment opportunities at Telfer that benefited themselves, their families and their communities in many different ways.
“Kevin’s quiet demeanour, his gentle and wise words whenever sought, and his subtle sense of humour generating ever-ready smiles, endear him to everyone he comes across,” said Mr Bryant.
The refurbished Kevin Fred Room was officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony performed by Kevin and Newcrest Mining Telfer General Manager Brett McFadgen.
Immediately following this came another, less formal celebration that closed an important chapter in Telfer’s history: Kevin Fred’s formal retirement.
Dozens of Kevin’s family and friends joined many of his current and former Telfer colleagues in celebrating his unique contribution in bringing Newcrest Mining and the Martu people closer together, building mutually respectful, supportive and beneficial relationships.
During the farewell function, Kevin received several accolades and was thanked for his contributions in improving the relationships between Newcrest Mining and the Martu people in speeches from Mr Bryant, Mr McFadgen and Kevin’s first Community Relations Superintendent Leon van Erp.
“Kevin has played a unique leadership role as a very special conduit that today binds Newcrest and Martu in a unique partnership based on mutual respect and trust. My hope is to entice Kevin to accept occasional special assignments with us once he’s had enough of retirement!” Mr Bryant concluded.
In 2003, Kevin was the first Martu man to join a new Newcrest Mining initiative to improve the company’s relationships with its seven Martu communities.
In the ensuing 16 years, Kevin worked closely with Newcrest Mining’s Community Relations team and played key roles as an effective mentor and influencer in seeking and securing training and employment opportunities for Martu men and women willing to undertake work at Telfer.
He also played integral roles in participating in and leading heritage survey requirements; and in encouraging and participating in the formation of an independent Martu Sports Council to enhance health and education standards within Martu communities.