Fortescue partners with community for annual working bee

Fortescue Metals Group held its sixth annual working bee in Roebourne on the weekend, bringing together over 100 volunteers to makeover the Roebourne District High School, which teaches students from kindergarten to Grade 12.

A highlight of Fortescue’s community calendar, the working bee saw Fortescue employees and their families, teachers, parents and children of the school, local community members from Roebourne and Karratha, as well as State Member for the Pilbara Kevin Michel MLA and member of the Australian men’s hockey team Joel Carrol, join forces to revitalise the school grounds with painting, landscaping, repairs and maintenance.

Fortescue Chief Executive Officer Nev Power, said the Roebourne Working Bee was a great example of Fortescue’s long term partnership with the people of Roebourne and demonstration of Fortescue’s commitment to building stronger communities. 

“By working together to make Roebourne District High School a vibrant and welcoming environment, we are making a real difference to the student’s lives, as well as showing them what can be achieved with team work and determination.” 

Kevin Michel MLA, State Member for the Pilbara, said the Roebourne Working Bee was a terrific event that bought the whole community together. 

“It was great to get out and get my hands dirty for such a worthy cause, while also meeting so many people who are the backbone of the Roebourne community” Mr Michel said. 

Fortescue would like to thank local businesses Blackwoods, Coates Hire Karratha, Diverse Group Wickham, Hanson Construction Materials, Hertz Karratha, Home Hardware, Northwest Sand & Gravel, Northwest Tree Services, Morris, Scarboro Painting NW, A&P Transport, Toxfree Australia, and Thiess as well as Mingullatharndo Community, The Ngarluma Yindjibarndi Foundation and Wirlu-murra Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation for their generous support of the working bee. 

The Annual Working Bee coincided with a donation of six washing machines and six dryers to Yindjibarndi elders by the Kangi Village at Fortescue’s Solomon Hub. 

“The washing machines and dryers are a very practical donation that can have a positive impact on the daily routines and quality of life of many people in the Yindjibarndi community,” Mr Power said. 

Background 

Fortescue has a significant presence in Roebourne through its Vocational, Training and Employment Centre (VTEC) located at the Minurmarghali Mia campus, which provides local Aboriginal people with training for a guaranteed job at Fortescue’s operations.

In FY17, 16 trainees from Fortescue’s VTEC in Roebourne began full time employment at Fortescue’s Solomon Hub.