Community Update

Edition 2 Winter 2022

Rio Tinto recently entered a three-year funding partnership with Ngaarda Media to support five exciting projects for the Roebourne- based organisation. Broadcasting for a bright future Ngaarda Media is a trusted and respected Indigenous news and local content broadcaster that has a license to operate 24/7, broadcasting from their television and radio studios. Its purpose is to connect, preserve and promote Aboriginal languages and culture, with a focus on the Pilbara, but broadcasts as far north as Broome in the Kimberley and across the Ngaanyatjarra Lands in the south. One of those projects is the purchase of equipment to create a radio training and broadcast-quality studio at Roebourne Regional Prison. Ngaarda Media’s Chief Executive Tangiora Hinaki said the team is already working in partnership with Roebourne Regional Prison and the Department of Corrective Services to deliver a weekly radio show helping inmates communicate with family through messages and song requests. “Everyone involved is keen to take the partnership to a new level by establishing a radio studio within the prison,” said Tangiora. “This will allow prison inmates to gain practical broadcasting and production experience under the guidance of Ngaarda Media. “And qualified educators from North Regional TAFE will also be able to provide training in Certificate IV Radio Production.” Most of the broadcasters at Ngaarda Media are volunteers from local communities.

Yinhawangka Traditional Owners, archaeologists and Rio Tinto’s Heritage officers at the 2021 excavation at Yirra Rockshelter

Yirra rock shelter excavation unearths remarkable discovery Remarkable new evidence uncovered at a Traditional Owner-led archaeological excavation at Yirra rock shelter on Yinhawangka Country, indicates the presence of Yinhawangka people in the Pilbara beyond 50,000 years ago.

Busselton Performing Arts Centre sod turning A special turning of the sod ceremony was held to commemorate construction of the new Busselton Performing Arts and Convention Centre in the town’s cultural precinct. When it is finished, this exciting new regional drawcard will provide the South West community with a 600-seat auditorium and function space catering to year-round concerts, shows and expos, as well as business, education and community events. Rio Tinto is helping to fund a technology-focused education space within the new centre. “Rio Tinto’s contribution will assist in creating a modern performing arts and convention centre for the South West, with state-of-the-art technology,” said City of Busselton Mayor Grant Henley. This year, Rio Tinto celebrates 15 years of flying workers from the South West to its Pilbara mine sites. More than 1,200 employees from the South West are part of Rio’s FIFO workforce, which support the vibrancy and economic stability of South West communities.

“These findings are a major archaeological breakthrough of

“All Pilbara groups should have this kind of science work done on cultural sites. “Important sites like Yirra need to be protected, especially when they turn out to be amongst the oldest known places of human habitation in Australia.” YAC Chief Executive Kupa Teao said the organisation appreciated the support. “YAC are extremely grateful to Rio Tinto for providing the resources to undergo this and future projects,” Mr Teao said. “The support given is overwhelming.” Rio Tinto Iron Ore Chief Executive Simon Trott welcomed this incredible discovery for the Yinhawangka people. “We acknowledge the significance of Yirra and are committed to working in partnership with the Yinhawangka people to ensure it’s preserved for future generations,” Simon said.

The ten-day excavation at the highly significant Pilbara site in October last year found stone artefacts, charcoal and other materials that may point to the presence of the Yinhawangka people throughout the height of the last Ice Age. This is a phenomenal result for the Yinhawangka people and could be the oldest evidence of human existence in the Pilbara. The recent excavation at Yirra rockshelter was requested by the Yinhawangka Traditional Owners and Rio Tinto was proud to support this work. Yinhawangka Aboriginal Corporation (YAC) Chairperson Halloway Smirke said all Pilbara Traditional Owner groups should receive the same work on their cultural sites. “Yirra has great significance not only to the Yinhawangka people, but also to our Wangarada (desert family) and Ngarngarada (coastal family),” Mr Halloway said. “We hope that Yirra will help us tell our ancestral story to Australia and our future generations. “We would still be visiting this site if it wasn’t for the mining leases.

international significance, expanding knowledge of Aboriginal occupation in the Pilbara. “As part of our ongoing commitment to celebrating and caring for cultural heritage and Country with Traditional Owners, Rio Tinto is planning to fund further Traditional Owner-led cultural research and archaeological excavations.” Yinhawangka Traditional Owners, YAC, archaeologists from consultancy company Archae-aus, specialists from the University of Western Australia and Rio Tinto’s cultural heritage team, were all present at the excavation. Yirra rock shelter is a heritage site located in the Hamersley Ranges near Paraburdoo. The rock shelter was first recorded by Yinhawangka Traditional Owners and archaeologists during a heritage survey for Hamersley Iron in 2000.

“We acknowledge the significance of Yirra and are committed to working in partnership with the Yinhawangka people to ensure it’s preserved for future generations.”

Pictured above: Broad Construction General Manager Benson King, Rio Tinto’s Meredith Dixon, City of Busselton Mayor Grant Henley, City of Busselton CEO Mike Archer and Broad Construction’s Cyril Cahill

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Rio Tinto Community Update