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On Monday 7 July, we came together for our fifth annual Kup Murri - a proud tradition of ours that welcomed over 200 people from across the Group, along with family, friends and special guests. Together, we marked NAIDOC Week and celebrated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture in a way that was deeply moving, powerfully unifying and uniquely memorable.
Led by Wamarra and Managing Director Hayden Heta, the day began before sunrise with the careful preparation of a traditional Kup Murri, an underground earth oven feast. More than a meal, this was a moment of meaning. A time to come together, to listen and learn and to honour stories that stretch back thousands of years.
This year’s NAIDOC Week theme, ‘The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy,’ encourages us to look both backward and forward - celebrating the achievements of the past while embracing the promise of the future. It’s a future powered by the strength of young Indigenous leaders, the vision of their communities and the continuing legacy of their ancestors. Throughout the day, this theme was brought to life with energy and pride.
Our celebration opened with a soul-stirring performance from Ganga Giri, a proud Palawa man and internationally renowned performer. His dynamic one-man act combined didgeridoo, tribal percussion and atmospheric soundscapes - an immersive and powerful expression of Country, culture and connection that got everyone clapping their hands in the air!
One of the most inspiring moments of the day came from Dinawans Connection - a collective of First Nations dancers spanning generations, from elders to young leaders. Their performance was proud, purposeful and electric- honouring the strength of their ancestors while lighting the path for the next generation of cultural custodians.
Through movement, they told stories that words alone could not, expressing a deep, spiritual connection to land, family and legacy. Among them was the son of Wamarra Managing Director Hayden Heta, performing alongside the group who travelled from Wagga Wagga, NSW. This personal connection made the performance even more powerful; a living story of culture passed down, embodied and shared.
Sharing the Kup Murri with our people, government representatives and industry partners such as Roads Australia was a resonant reminder of what it means to come together in celebration of culture.
Among our special guests were local Ministers Libby Coker, Christine Couzens, the Hon Melissa Horne and Sheena Watt, who continue to champion First Nations people. A special thanks to Libby and Christine for their moving reflections on stage, reminding us how far we’ve come and the importance of continuing to honour culture and community.
Throughout the day, guests connected through a hands-on workshop led by WUDTJAMEEN - sisters Georgia and Olivia, proud Central and Eastern Arrernte women as well as proud Wiradjuri woman Katrina Heta, sister of Wamarra MD Hayden.
They guided guests through the traditional Aboriginal art of basket weaving - a practice once used to gather food and tools, but also a way to pass on stories, share knowledge and build community. The workshop offered a quiet, grounding space for conversation and cultural celebration.
When the Kup Murri was dug up from the ground, everyone came together to share food, stories and laughter in the winter sun. It was a moment that captured everything this tradition stands for - respect, inclusion, shared experience and the celebration of culture.
We believe at Symal that strong teams are built through connection, diversity and understanding. Kup Murri is one of the ways we live those values, providing space for our Indigenous team members to share culture in a way that inspires and brings people together.
Now in its fifth year, Kup Murri has become a cornerstone of how we celebrate NAIDOC Week. But more importantly, it’s a reflection of our long-term commitment to reconciliation through our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) - a future that is self-determined, inclusive and built on genuine relationships with the communities we work alongside.
To everyone who joined us, thank you. And to Hayden Heta - your leadership, generosity and cultural guidance continue to make this day bigger and better every year.
With every story shared and every cultural practice celebrated, we’re honouring a legacy that reaches far into the past and extends powerfully into the future.
Together, we’re building better together and fostering a future where diversity and inclusion are at the forefront.
