Uncle Blue (Harold Smith), Aunty Zona Moran and Aunty Cheryl Blair carried out a smoke and water ceremony at the Clybucca project headquarters of Thiess.

The construction company won the contract to build the Frederickton to Eungai stretch of the Pacific Hwy.

Aunty Cheryl said the ritual the trio carried out was a spiritual cleansing ceremony.

“The smoke is for keeping evil spirits away, and the water is to bring in good spirits,” she said.

“We’re cleansing the land and keeping the people that work on our land safe.”

In his Welcome to Country, board member Uncle Richard Pacey reiterated the Dunghutti Elders Council’s strong desire for the naming of the 3.2km bridge over the Macleay.

Earlier, Thiess project director for the new upgrade, Boyd Knights, said the company welcomed the opportunity to work with the indig- enous community and to offer long-term employment opportunities.

“We’ve got a Reconciliation Action Plan that guides us to see what we can do that aligns with community expectations,” he said.

“We’ve got indigenous employees who’ve been working for the past five years, after completing their training with us.

“It’s about promoting those success stories and giving more young indigenous people opportunities, rather than just ticking boxes.”

Kempsey Local Aboriginal Land Council CEO Jo-Anne Kelly welcomed the level of Thiess’s engagement with the indigenous community.

“Today’s been the first opportunity for us to visit the site and give a Welcome to Country,” she said.

“The very first Aboriginal Reference Group for this project met on July 25 and Thiess and the RMS continue to provide updates on issues and milestones.”

Ms Kelly welcomed the company’s decision to push back the start of its next pre-employment program to early 2014.

This will afford indigenous school leavers an opportunity to participate.

The Kempsey bypass project provided employment for 87 indigenous people, with 24 employees gaining TAFE certification.