Local procurement played an important role in bringing the Roxby Downs community together at a recent Community Connect event, hosted by the BHP Communities team with support from the Indigenous Engagement Team and Roxby Downs Council.

Held at the Roxby Downs football oval, the event welcomed families and locals for an evening of connection, food and activities. The program included a community barbecue, family‑friendly activities, a formal welcome for the new Roxby Downs Council Administrator and the unveiling of a new football scoreboard funded by BHP.

To support the delivery of the event, the Indigenous Engagement Team engaged Umeewarra Aboriginal Media Association through the BHP Local Buying Program. Based in Port Augusta, Umeewarra provided audio equipment, DJ services and a range of children’s activities and workshops, travelling to Roxby Downs to support the event on site.

Umeewarra is a well‑established Indigenous‑owned organisation with a strong reputation for delivering services at community events across the region. Recently onboarded as a supplier through the Local Buying Program, the Roxby Community Connect event marked their first engagement supporting an event in Roxby Downs, highlighting the new opportunities that local procurement pathways can create.

The engagement supported an established Indigenous business while also integrating Indigenous culture and capability into a community‑focused event. It also created valuable exposure for Umeewarra, with representatives from local council, community groups, sporting clubs and contractors able to see their services in action.

With further community events planned throughout the year, there is potential for similar engagements in the future. Using the Local Buying Program to connect capable Indigenous suppliers with community activities provides a practical way to support participation, visibility and long‑term opportunity.