Community Update

Edition 2 Winter 2022

Quality and well-staffed early childhood services are critical for regional communities to help parents get back into the workforce. A national shortage of early childhood educators means there is a lack of childcare across the Pilbara. This means less people can get back to work when they want to. Increased childcare availability has been identified as a critical factor in improving liveability in the City of Karratha and the Shire of Ashburton. As a major employer in the region, Rio Tinto acknowledges the childcare crisis and is supporting the creation of career pathways for early childhood educators by funding TAFE scholarships with the State government for free early childhood studies. In partnership with YMCA, Rio Tinto is supporting start-up business packages for family day care in the Pilbara. We are also participating in the subsidised service worker accommodation program with Woodside and the City of Karratha to help eligible early childhood educators find affordable places to live. Rio Tinto is committed to working collaboratively with the State Government, City of Karratha, Shire of Ashburton, industry and other local businesses to support long-term, sustainable solutions to increase child care availability in the Pilbara. Rio Tinto’s early childhood strategy 2022-2027

A community giving application leads to an eco-friendly kitchenmakeover in Tom Price

Tom Price Primary School’s Samara Bellingham and Rio Tinto Iron Ore Pilbara Communities Specialist Jemma Milton

Rio Tinto Operator Agriculture Spenser Higgs and Supervisor Agriculture Projects Dave Dixon

When the Tom Price Primary School P&C applied for funding through our Community Giving Program to buy and install new kitchen benches, Rio Tinto Iron Ore Pilbara Communities Specialist Jemma Milton saw a way we could help in a sustainable way .

Bushfires are one of nature’s most ferocious and unforgiving natural disasters, which unfortunately in Australia, we’re all too familiar with. Supporting fellow West Aussies affected by recent fires

“Our canteen looks great,” said Samara. “Next, the kitchen will get a fresh lick of paint during the school holidays, using paint and painting tools which were also donated by Rio Tinto. Term two will get off to a great start!”

Samara Bellingham, from the Tom Price Primary School P&C, is thrilled that we supported the changeover with a $5,000 grant to cover the cost of removing the old cupboards and installing the benches.

Rio Tinto donated commercial grade stainless steel benches from the redundant Kurra Kulli camp and the school’s canteen had an instant makeover.

to deliver much needed assistance to farmers and pastoralists affected by the fires. “In talking to those who lost livestock and feed in the Corrigin area, they were overwhelmed by the support and were truly grateful,” said Sam. The hay from Rio Tinto’s Marandoo project was provided to Farmers Across Borders, who managed the bale distribution to bushfire-affected farmers in the South West, Great Southern and Gascogne regions of Western Australia. We hope this donation can help support the recovery and rebuilding efforts of the local communities. A special shout out to Danny Matic, Managing Director of Matic Transport, and his team for getting our product from the Pilbara to these regions.

They take such a huge toll, not only on people, but on livelihoods, especially in cattle and sheep farming areas. The summer bushfires had a devastating impact on some of our regional communities and when Farmers Across Borders put out a call for hay bale donations, Rio Tinto teams looked at ways they could help. Rio Tinto Iron Ore General Manager Utilities Momcilo Andric said his team manages water pivots at Marandoo and Nammuldi hay farms, producing 30,000 tonnes of hay per year. “We worked with Matic Transport and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, to donate more than 2,000 bales of hay,” said Momcilo. Farmers Across Borders Chairman, Sam Starcevich, said it was a privilege to work alongside Rio Tinto

Making a difference at the grass roots

Rio Tinto’s 2022 Community Giving program offers up to $5,000 for community projects or groups.

The Community Giving program supports grass roots initiatives that make a positive difference to the local community. Last year, more than 180 community organisations from the Karratha Community Garden to the Wickham Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services, the Pannawonica Playgroup and Albany Women’s Shelter, took part in Rio Tinto’s Community Giving Program. Eligible applicants can receive up to $5,000 for community grass roots initiatives. Local organisations are the backbone of our communities and make towns wonderful places in which to work and live.

Last year, Rio supported 183 grassroots projects in 17 WA locations.

Community Giving was set up in response to local feedback on the need for more timely and active partnerships on programs that inspire healing and address important local challenges. Could your organisation benefit from a Community Giving Program grant? Click here to find out more.

Children at the splash pad in Wickham

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Rio Tinto Community Update