Building thriving communities

Caring for Country

Pilbara Traditional Owners have been caring for Country for more than 65,000 years. They are the most enduring environmental custodians on earth.

The Pilbara Cultural Land Management Project (PCLMP) is a collaboration between twelve Pilbara Traditional Owner groups. PCLMP recognises the role of all its members in the preservation of Country and cultural connection.

Ranger programs are a key component of the PCLMP. Through these programs, traditional knowledge is unlocked for intergenerational sharing and preservation of cultural heritage.

“The Ranger program for us is as much about people as it is about Country,” said Taryn, Yindjibarndi Ranger Coordinator.

Flying high

In partnership with Derby District High School, we’re working to offer their students more career options with a program that sets graduates up for success in the exciting and emerging field of drone aviation.

“The program has changed the lives of students and builds their confidence,” said Mohamed, Deputy Principal Derby District High School.

Since 2021, we’ve been funding a remote drone pilot license course at the school, with students able to achieve a Certificate III in Aviation.

The course teaches participants how to fly drones for industries like mining, defence, photography, emergency services, tourism, Ranger and station work.

Understanding flatback turtles

Marine turtles have swum the world's oceans for more than 100 million years.

Recognising the importance of turtles and our responsibility to mitigate our operations’ impact, we’ve partnered with Western Australia’s Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) to monitor and preserve this wonderful species. For 17 years, we’ve supported a team of volunteers who monitor the beach every day throughout the turtle nesting season and run night tours to help raise community awareness of flatbacks and their conservation.

“This program is so special because it brings together community, industry and government to look after turtles. That’s what conservation is all about,” said Sarah, Parks and Wildlife Service.

Bringing community together

Wickham Community Hub was officially opened in 2019 and is home to a public library, skate park, youth space, refurbished community hall and meeting rooms.

The $16 million project was jointly funded by Rio Tinto, City of Karratha and Lotterywest, and the opening of the facility represents the culmination of years of hard work by the City of Karratha and members of local community, organisations and clubs.

“It’s a family environment. The whole town is designed for families,” said Gabrielle, City of Karratha.

Youth services in Albany

Our partnership with the City of Albany ensures that young people in the Great Southern region can participate in engaging, interactive and educational projects. This is part of our strengthened commitment to programs supporting young people across Western Australia.

The newly built Youth Challenge Park has officially made local kids the envy of every skateboarder and bike rider in the country. The $1.5 million dollar upgrade to existing infrastructure in the youth precinct includes dirt jumps, skate plaza, multi-court, skate path, parkour, pump track and skate bowl.

To make the park an even better place for young people to safely connect and stay active, we have sponsored the City of Albany to establish free Wi-Fi across the precinct.

“I love the sense of community the skate park has. It’s provided a hub,” said Sarah, Resident of City of Albany.

Emama Nguda

For thousands of years Kimberley Traditional Owners have been catching and eating giant freshwater prawns called cherabin or jarramba.

This traditional food is being made into a business with the Derby-based Emama Nguda Aboriginal Corporation working to be the first group to commercially farm cherabin, helping protect them from being over-fished.

“There’s a great sense of pride as it’s an important bush food and has been eaten for tens of thousands of years,” said Phillip, Hatchery Manager.