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Prism Network
June 2025
At EnergyAustralia, we believe that when people feel safe to be themselves, they thrive — and so does our workplace.
That belief is at the heart of Prism, our internal network that supports, celebrates and advocates for our LGBTQA+ community and their allies.
This year, we are proud to share that EnergyAustralia has been awarded Gold Tier status in the 2025 Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI). This national benchmarking instrument recognises the work of organisations that actively support inclusion and equality for LGBTQA+ people.
But for us, this recognition is about more than policies or formal programs. It is about people.
It is about those who give their time, energy and heart to make EnergyAustralia a place where everyone feels they belong.
Ten years of impact, led by people
Prism was established almost ten years ago, in February 2016, by a small group of passionate employees who wanted to make a difference. From the beginning, it has been primarily a volunteer-led network. That means every event, every policy idea, every conversation and every moment of support has come from people committing their time on top of their day jobs.
Over the years, Prism has grown to become a trusted and active part of our culture. Whether it is hosting guest speakers, organising Wear It Purple Day celebrations, working with People and Culture to improve inclusive processes or simply showing up as visible allies, the people behind Prism have helped shape a safer and more welcoming workplace.
Reaching Gold Tier status is a proud moment. It reflects the work being done across the business. It is not just about what happens at the top. It is about people at every level doing the work, quietly and consistently, to lift others up.
From day one to Gold Tier — Lauren’s decade with Prism
As one of Prism’s founding members, Lauren has spent nearly a decade helping to create a space where people feel seen, valued and safe to be themselves at work. Her leadership, care and courage have left a lasting mark on our culture.
Here, Lauren reflects on her journey, what Prism means to her, and why this work continues to matter.
“When I joined EnergyAustralia 11 years ago as a Senior Financial Accountant, there was no LGBTQA+ employee network and any signs of support for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) were difficult to find. As a gay woman, I had not previously felt comfortable to be out in the workplace, but I made a decision when I joined EnergyAustralia that I did not want to cover who I was at work anymore. It was too draining and held me back from making genuine connections.
This turned out to be one of the best decisions of my career, as it created the opportunity for me to join the DEI Council and become one of the co-founders of Prism, our LGBTQA+ network. I wanted to play a part in creating a culture where everyone could feel safe to bring their whole self to work, and where we could connect as people with unique, interesting and at times challenging life experiences to share.
Over the past 10 years, I have had the privilege to build our Prism community alongside an amazing group of volunteers from across the business, who go above and beyond every day to build and maintain a culture of inclusion. Many previous Prism committee members continue to support us from afar, proud of their contribution and cheering us on from the sidelines.
We have always received strong support from EnergyAustralia leadership. Over the years, a number of Executive Sponsors have helped us break through roadblocks, have been open to listening and learning from our LGBTQA+ community, and have shared their personal passion for inclusion.
We have maintained Silver Tier status for the past six years in AWEI, which for a volunteer committee is something we valued deeply. But to finally reach Gold Tier is one of the proudest moments of my career. There is so much work that happens behind the scenes by our fabulous committee and supporters. This recognition is a well-deserved thank you to all involved over the past 10 years.
My hope is that one day inclusion is ingrained in every organisation and community. The current global climate shows that this kind of work is still urgently needed to protect and advocate for marginalised groups. I am incredibly proud to work for an organisation like EnergyAustralia that continues to stand for equality and inclusion for all.”
Looking ahead with pride
While we are taking a moment to celebrate, we also know that inclusion is an ongoing journey. There is always more we can do to listen, to learn and to show up for one another.
As we approach Prism’s ten-year anniversary in early 2026, we will reflect on how far we have come and how we continue to grow together.
To everyone who has contributed to Prism over the years, to those who have spoken up, asked questions, shared stories or supported a colleague, thank you.
This Gold status is a recognition of your work, your values and your care for others.
And to those just getting to know Prism, we welcome you. Whether you identify as LGBTQA+ or an ally, there is a place for you here.
