BHP Billiton contributes to Australian War Memorial
BHP Billiton Sustainable Communities, a UK-based charity established by BHP Billiton as part of its community investment programs, recently donated A$1 million to support the redevelopment of The Australian War Memorial's First World War galleries.
The major redevelopment of the galleries will form a key part of the Memorial's commemorations for the centenary of the First World War. This significant donation will assist in the integration of state-of-the art technologies in the galleries to enhance and support artifacts, works of art and a range of other exhibition items.
The Memorial's Director, Dr. Brendan Nelson, said the donation from BHP Billiton Sustainable Communities demonstrated a commitment to the Memorial's commemoration of the centenary of the First World War and the events that shaped our nation.
"This substantial donation from BHP Billiton Sustainable Communities will make a big difference," he said.
"Partnerships such as this enable us to enhance the significant investment made by the Australian government and the Australian War Memorial in telling our nation's history in times of war.
"The employees of BHP Billiton have themselves made an extraordinary contribution to Australia's war effort through the twentieth century. Today, the company is helping to ensure the stories of our first ANZACs continue to be told for a new generation of Australians."
BHP Billiton CEO Andrew Mackenzie said BHP Billiton Sustainable Communities was proud to support The Australian War Memorial and help establish a new First World War exhibition.
BHP traces its roots in Australia back to 1885 when The Broken Hill Proprietary Company Limited (BHP) incorporated in 1885 in Victoria, Australia. Then, the company developed and mined silver, lead and zinc deposits at Broken Hill in New South Wales, Australia. With a rich, 150-year history that started with the merger of two small mining companies – BHP and Billiton – the BHP Billiton of today has grown into a diversified, global resources company serving as one of the world's largest producers of major commodities. With the seating of Mackenzie as the company's new CEO in 2013, the company is moving to simplify the corporate structure into five core businesses. The company's oil and gas projects have increased substantially and the company sees shale as a 'near-term' growth engine. The company has moved into the US shale sector through various acquisitions positioning them in the Eagle Ford, Haynesville, and Fayetteville shale plays.
Now a truly global company with an operating presence in 26 countries from Chile and South Africa to North America and Trinidad & Tobago, the company maintains strong ties to Australia where the company still maintains its headquarters in Melbourne.
"Throughout our history we have always maintained strong roots in Australia, including substantial industrial contributions to both the First and Second World Wars," Mackenzie said.
As The First World War seriously disrupted international shipping and caused a shortage of imported iron and steel in Australia, the Broken Hill Proprietary Company was instrumental in keeping Australia supplied with iron and steel during the Great War. According to The Australian War Memorial, the BHP Company was able to produce "many thousands of tons of rails and shell steel…for war purposes."
Celebrating those past efforts is the motivation behind the company's recent donation to The Australian War Memorial.
"We contribute to the Australian economy through payments to shareholders, employment and the provision of taxes and royalties, and we are proud to make this contribution to recognize Australia's past war efforts," Mackenzie continued.
"I am pleased the new galleries will use state-of-the art technologies to ensure the story of Australia's role in the First World War, and its impact on Australian society, continues to be told for generations to come."
"The redeveloped First World War galleries will captivate visitors and leave them with a deep sense of pride in what was achieved, informed by a clear understanding of the cost," Dr. Nelson said.
Mikaila Adams | Managing Editor - News
Mikaila Adams has 20 years of experience as an editor, most of which has been centered on the oil and gas industry. She enjoyed 12 years focused on the business/finance side of the industry as an editor for Oil & Gas Journal's sister publication, Oil & Gas Financial Journal (OGFJ). After OGFJ ceased publication in 2017, she joined Oil & Gas Journal and was named Managing Editor - News in 2019. She holds a degree from Texas Tech University.
