Michael Bidwell’s Post

IDAHOBIT - International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia I spoke with BHP leaders Jessica Simpson and Julia Goncalves about what we can do to ensure everyone brings their full self to work every day. I also organised a collaborative workshop event with Cushman & Wakefield interrogating four key types of biases that feed into these phobias, and what we can do to encourage everyone to evolve beyond our biases. IDAHOBIT exists because the phobias, discrimination and harm to the LGBTIQA+ community exists. It’s on each of us every day, in every situation, to do our part to try to eliminate this. To all my LGBTIQA+ colleagues, I hear you, I see you and I will stand by you as we thank those who came before us and make it better for those who come after us. Love always wins. 💜🌈 #idahobit #idahobit2024 #diversity #inclusion #belonging #lovealwayswins

I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as Legal Counsel - Copper South Australia at BHP!

Last night I caught up with Madeline Simpson to celebrate her exciting career move in the next month. I first started working with Madeline over 5 years ago. I was just over 1 year post admission but Madeline invested time into developing me. I helped her maintain an incredible portfolio of clients and learned how to develop my own - sometimes just the two of us! It’s impossible to summarise how lucky I feel to have worked under Madeline but here are my key learnings: -You can have it all just not at the same time. You have to make conscious decisions to progress your career as a marathon not a sprint and you eventually have it all. -Lead by example with balance for things that matter to you and foster a team that helps find that balance cohesively. This is why diversity matters. -Every thank you and piece of recognition matters. There are many ways to genuinely thank staff for their contribution so any unwillingness to do so becomes very clear. -Empathy should be a driving force in your leadership and client relationships but don’t take your job too seriously. We can help find the solution through understanding what the business/person is going through without personally adopting the problem as our own. -Always make time for fun. We aren’t heart surgeons! I’ve found the best mentor for my career and a best friend for life 😊 #congratulations #mentor #career #law

Yesterday was the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (IDERD). Beginning in 1979, the UN encouraged a day of solidarity by member states. However, in 1999 Australia changed this to “Harmony Day” with the then Prime Minister suggesting we were a multicultural society and didn’t need to combat racism. We must always combat racism individually, in our workplaces and in society. I had a great culture share chat yesterday with Elizabeth Plotnek, Caij Ford and Shaun Tran about how denial of racism and preventing people of colour from feeling solidarity on a global day is damaging. I heard stories of schools encouraging orange shirts for harmony where many students did not participate - we should be educating about racism on this day not trying to glorify an outcome that cannot exist with racism. Australia honours International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia because these issues exist similar to racism and give the LGBTIQA+ community a platform to be heard. It’s time that Australia does the same with IDERD. Similar to Pride Month, there can also be a separate time to celebrate multiculturalism but we can’t move forward if we don’t learn how to eliminate racism. #iderd #iderd2024 #harmonyday #changethename #diversity #inclusion

PRIDE IN LAW - Over 6 years ago it was Pride in Law’s first launch in Queensland that inspired me to stay in the legal profession through a number of hardships including leaving domestic abuse in a past relationship. Dean Clifford-Jones, the Founder, asked me to be their first Events Coordinator for Queensland. The first event I helped organise in 2018 was a workshop to identify the gaps for the LGBTIQA+ community members subject to domestic violence. This led to increased resources by community organisations, legal and policy reform and a review by Courts and police of their own processes. Tonight I announced my plans to step down at a Director meeting. Here are my reasons for stepping away after 30 June 2024: -I think the magic of Pride in Law is that it helps you convert your pain into power - my story above no longer gives me pain because over the last 6 years I’ve helped survivors have more access to resources, more respect in the process and there is more direction to keep pushing for change. -I think the fabric of Pride in Law is knowing when it’s time for other voices to have a seat at the table. As a gay white man I’ve used my privilege to get Pride in Law a seat but I want trans and gender diverse people, First Nations LGBTIQA+ people, LGBTIQA+ people of colour and other intersectional identities to take my seat, create new seats and share their stories. This leads to genuine reform. -I think the legacy of Pride in Law is that one day it won’t be needed. This may not happen in my lifetime but it certainly won’t happen if I don’t encourage others to take my spot with their new ideas and lived experiences. I can’t change the world but I can help change your world. Together, we may change the world. My heart is full feeling I’ve done my part with Pride in Law. I’ve made the closest legal mates, laughed harder than ever before and been a house mother to the inspiring young volunteers. I’m going to take some well-earned time off and no doubt eventually find another way to do my part. Thank you to everyone who was involved in this journey 💜🌈 #prideinlaw #volunteer #notforprofit #diversity #inclusion #lgbt #community

I was in Perth the last few days to meet with the lovely WA Chapter of Pride in Law. Thank you The College of Law Australia for hosting us in your office to plan out the next 6 months. I’m amazed by what Pride in Law has achieved over the years and how it will continue to grow. The WA Chapter committee is hard working volunteers at different stages of their careers seeking to make a better future not only for those in the legal profession but also for everyone through their advocacy. If you’re based in Perth, keep an eye out for their events and reach out to the committee if you want to be involved! #prideinlaw #waprideinlaw #strategy #planning #volunteer #diversity #inclusion

I’ve been on secondment at BHP since February filling in for lovely Kate Basson who is on maternity leave with her baby. I now have a fur baby so this photo is truly full circle 😂

I’m so delighted to share I organised the BHP BMA Jasper fantastic event last night co-hosted with Orica at the MORANBAH COMMUNITY WORKERS CLUB INC! Ashleigh Brazill delivered a speech with the theme being “Fostering LGBT+ and female inclusion”. I was lucky enough to speak with Ash in preparation for the event and she is a formidable force on and off any sporting field. Thanks Ash for coming to the region! Andrew C. was brilliant as my organising counterpart. Thanks to BHP BRAVE (Julia Nest and Darienne Carraro) and Tech IDC (Karan S. and Mel Silva Raju) for the support in pulling this event off. #bhp #jasper #event #networking #diversity #inclusion

Last Thursday was Pride in Law’s 7th Annual Address! 🌈 🏳️⚧️ The Queensland Chapter organised a fantastic event: -Acknowledgement of Country by Kristen Hodge connecting us on the importance of our identities -Opening by Queensland President Duncan MacDougall vulnerably sharing his coming out experience -Keynote by the Honourable Chief Justice Helen Bowskill recognising the importance of respect -Pride in Law Award recipient Jason G. delivering an emotional speech giving credit to his mum -Closing by Queensland Vice President Louis Laing giving us hope for the future and also credit to their mum Events like these remind us why we still need Pride in Law. Change takes time and a concerted effort, and we will make it happen, together. 📸 Rosie Heares and Mika Heares (So Rosie Photography) #prideinlaw #qldprideinlaw #networking #diversity #inclusion

Tonight I am honoured to join the BHP BRAVE network at the Women in Mining and Resources Queensland (WIMARQ) Gala Dinner. It’s an opportunity to network, exchange knowledge and celebrate the achievements of women across the sector. There is no doubt gender equality in every type of role, importantly leadership, results in better outcomes. Julia Nest, Lara Torrance and Darienne Carraro kindly invited me because I have worked closely with them to organise a fantastic event through Jasper in Moranbah later this month - stay tuned for that update! There is power in collaboration and sharing the stage to make sure all voices are heard with impact. It’s a delight to connect tonight with some of the powerhouse women at BHP including Lisa Baptista who is a shining example of leadership. In the wise words of Shania Twain, “Let’s go girls” 🤛 #bhp #brave #jasper #genderequality #womeninmining #wimarq #diversity #inclusion