Each week, RDA Pilbara compiles a wrap of news that's important to industries and communities in the region and also the highlights of our activities on the ground.
Read on for what's been happening from September 1 to September 8.
Government partnerships with SEA point to a bright future It’s been a significant week for relationships with South-East Asia and the outcomes are likely to be highly beneficial to the Pilbara.
Premier Roger Cook led a delegation of officials and industry leaders to the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit in Jakarta and since then there has been a flurry of WA Government announcements on everything from sister-state agreements, to skills development, airline partnerships, renewable energy and seaweed being made into sustainable plastic.
The upshot of it all is that our near neighbours in Asia will have ever-increasing use for products, materials and energy produced in the Pilbara, as South-East Asia moves towards a greener future.
It’s a similar scenario for the South-East Asian Economic Strategy unveiled by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during the week.
The strategy seeks to formalise opportunities to drive Australian trade and investment into a region that is poised for significant economic growth that will be accompanied by big increases in energy demand.
The Pilbara’s ability to produce clean energy and minerals that are central to energy transition will position our region to be a highly important partner in Southeast Asia’s projected growth.
The hydrogen hub being planned for Karratha could be a major contributor to this and increased trade with Southeast Asia should help create more jobs in the Pilbara.
BHP partners with council for major new event in Newman Congratulations to BHP and the Shire of East Pilbara for joining forces on a new end-of-year celebration that will open up entertainment opportunities for local residents and families.
The event – to be held in late November – will see the infrastructure from BHP’s existing corporate Christmas function stay in place for an extra day and opened up to the public. Activities will include rides and food stalls.
It’s great to see a major employer and the council working together in such a productive way on an initiative that engages with the local community and provides additional avenues for recreation.
Read more at: https://bit.ly/45LgNwE
RDA Pilbara Grants Hub is now open
A reminder that RDA Pilbara’s Grants Hub is now open and ready to act as a one-stop shop for all local businesses, community groups, not-for-profits and individuals who are considering applying for a grant.
You can see what grants are available, register to receive alerts when new opportunities arise and access tips to help you apply for grants.
The Hub is live and ready to go, so please visit it here: https://bit.ly/3QB9oei
From the Pilbara to 50 games in the AFLW Congratulations are also in order for Adelaide Crows star Chelsea Randall, who reaches the 50-game milestone against Richmond today (Friday).
Before she was a multi-premiership winner and four-time AFLW All Australian, Chelsea was working in the Pilbara (Newman) promoting community sport to youngsters, and it was there that Crows officials visited her before the inaugural season of AFLW.
The Crows published a great story on their website this week that acknowledges Chelsea’s Pilbara stint.
Read more: https://bit.ly/3Rf90Tm
Born into mining? Another very interesting story we happened across this week was that of Ken Brinsden – current chair of Australian lithium explorer Patriot Battery Metals.
As the article outlines, Ken has some extremely strongly roots in Kalgoorlie-Boulder but his most high-profile roles in mining came in the Pilbara, first as managing director of Atlas Iron and then in the same role with Pilbara Minerals.
The story is a great reflection of the types of career opportunities that can be opened up in one of our region’s major industries – global opportunities as it turns out, given Patriot’s major prospects are located in Canada.
Read more: https://bit.ly/4643Q0i
Family times on site for CITIC Pacific It’s always pleasing to see industry in the Pilbara finding ways to connect employees with their families – often a challenge when it comes to remote working locations.
The video in the below post was produced by the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of WA around CITIC Pacific Mining’s recent Family Day on site.
Fantastic stuff!
Carol chalks up 45 years at BHP Finally, a hearty “well done” to Carol Nicklette on the amazing milestone of reaching 45 years working for BHP.
These days Carol is with NickelWest and based out of Perth but for the first 27 years of her time at BHP she worked in Pilbara.
There aren’t too many people who take a "short trip" to Hedland for a family christening and then end up with a train being named after them!
A video of Carol’s career is available in the post below and BHP also produced this very nice story: https://bit.ly/3raqKnZ