MinRes builds thriving communities in WA’s Mid West

Mineral Resources (ASX: MIN) has invested more than $119,000 into WA’s Mid West communities this year.

This includes a grant to support the Yamatji Traditional Owners broaden their skills through a tailored TAFE course.

Current course participants are working towards a Certificate II Yamatji Heritage Advisors – Workplace Readiness at Geraldton’s Central Regional TAFE (CRTAFE).

They are on track to complete their training by the end of October 2024.

An additional grant was provided to Fremantle Biennale to support a Yamatji-inspired light and sound display during this year’s NAIDOC Week events in July.

The MinRes Indigenous Employment and Energy teams also recently participated in the Clontarf Foundation’s Geraldton Employment Forum, discussing career opportunities with Year 11 and 12 Yamatji students from both Geraldton Senior High School and Champion Bay Senior High School.

Yamatji Southern Regional Corporation (YSRC) chief executive Luka Gray says the Certificate II Yamatji Heritage Advisors course is the first of its kind.

“The program, developed in collaboration with CRTAFE and funded by MinRes, was created to upskill Yamatji Heritage Advisors and create a robust skilled workforce that can provide a strong reliable service to business, but most importantly create a knowledgeable team that can represent the Yamatji Nation with support provided by the respective Cultural Committees,” she said.

“YSRC is keen to watch how the program develops and work in partnership with CRTAFE to further develop and amend the course as required.”

Mingenew-Irwin, WA

MinRes was also a platinum sponsor of the 2024 Mingenew Mid West Expo, the largest agricultural field day in the Mid West.

Further support for the Shire of Mingenew included grants that were used to invest in new facilities for the Mingenew Hockey Club, a new community shed for the Mingenew Historical Society and kids’ entertainment for the Mingenew Turf Club’s annual race day.

The Mingenew Historical Society plans to open the Restoration Shed complete with some new machinery.

Regular donations from Containers for Change collections at the MinRes drill operations are also being made to the Mingenew Primary School P&C, which will be used to support a Year 6 school camp.

MinRes provided a grant to the Irwin Volunteer Fire Brigade to purchase new four-wheel drive tyres for its fire truck.

In the Shire of Irwin, MinRes supported the installation of a new children’s playground at the Dongara foreshore, new gymnastics equipment for the Irwin Recreation Centre and provided a grant to the Dongara Osprey Girl Guides allowing a group of guides to attend an adventure camp in Kalbarri.

A MinRes grant was also invested in a barbecue trailer for the Mingenew Irwin Group for the locals, community events and field days across the Mingenew and Irwin regions.

Mingenew-Irwin Group chief executive Dee McKeown says assistance from MinRes in attaining the trailer has enhanced their ability to deliver events in the community.

“As a not-for-profit, our resources are limited, and to be able to streamline tasks for our team while at the same time better delivering engaging content to the region is invaluable,” Dee said.

“It’s support like this that sustains Grower Groups and rural communities.”