Pilbara achievers in running for State award

Pilbara sustainability efforts and community service are in the spotlight with a handful of local organisations selected as semifinalists for the WA Regional Achievement and Community Awards.

A full list of semifinalists was last week announced for the annual set of awards which recognise the contributions of people, communities and businesses across regional WA. The Community TAB Community Service Award semifinalist list includes Roebourne-based art group Big hART and Gumala Aboriginal Corporation from Tom Price. for making a significant difference in their communities through services or social justice programs.

Meanwhile the Water Corporation’s Karratha branch and Tom Price’s Nintirri Centre are both in the running as semi-finalists for the LandCorp Sustainability Award.

The Nintirri Centre was nominated for its work on growing the Karijini Experience, while the local Water Corporation was selected for developing a new funding source for a Kimberley indigenous community through using treated water to grow crops.

Nintirri Centre chief executive James Jarvis said it was an honour for everyone involved in the Karijini Experience to be acknowledged for its “phenomenal” growth.

“There’s lots of possibility and hope for the future around the Karijini Experience and I think this award is a great recognition of the journey we’ve been on to, from the original idea through to now,” he said.

In the wider Pilbara, other semi-finalists included Spinifex Hill Studios, the Port Hedland Peace Memorial Seafarer’s Centre and the Hedland Well✓ Women’s Centre.

Finalists for the awards will be determined next month (September) before winners are announced at a gala dinner in Perth on October 20.