Mineral Resources funds heritage courses for Yamatji people, grants for groups in Mingenew and Irwin shires

Yamatji Southern Regional Corporation, Irwin Fire Brigade and the Shire of Mingenew have benefitted from the latest round of community grants from Mid West mining company Mineral Resources. MinRes has invested $119,000 in Mid West communities so far this year through a grant program designed to support the health, wellbeing and education of communities in which it operates. Eligible community groups can apply for grants up to $10,000. Yamatji traditional owners will benefit from a Certificate II Yamatji Heritage Advisors — Workplace Readiness at Geraldton Central Regional TAFE, with participants expected to complete the course by October. YSRC CEO Luka Gray said the course was the first of its kind and was designed to upskill heritage advisors and create a skilled workforce to provide services to businesses and the knowledge to represent the Yamatji nation. “YSRC is keen to watch how the program develops and work in partnership with CRTAFE to further develop and amend the course as required,” he said. The Shire of Mingenew received a grant for improved facilities at the hockey club, the construction of a shed at the historical society and for kids entertainment at the next race day at Mingenew Turf Club. MinRes is donating its Containers for Change collections to the Mingenew Primary School P&C to go towards Year 6 school camp. Irwin Volunteer Fire Brigade will buy new tyres for its fire truck with its grant funding, while the shire of Irwin will install a new children’s playground at the Dongara foreshore, gym equipment at the recreation centre, and help fund the Dongara Osprey Girl Guides adventure camp. The mining company will also fund a barbecue trailer for the Mingenew Irwin Group to support community events and field days across the region. Mingenew Irwin Group CEO Dee McKeown said resources were limited as a not-for-profit organisation, and the grant funding would enable the team to streamline tasks and deliver engaging content to the region. “It’s support like this that sustains grower groups and rural communities,” he said. MinRes operates across the shires of Yilgarn, Irwin and Mingenew, as well as in the Pilbara and Goldfields-Esperance regions. The next round of grant applications opens on October 1.