RIO Tinto has ensured the ongoing delivery of the city’s youth program with a sponsorship of almost $50,000.
The three year agreement will see Rio Tinto assist with the delivery of initiatives to improve opportunities for young people to contribute to community decision making and participate in social events and activities throughout the year.
Youth initiatives that will benefit from this partnership include school holiday activities, music and cultural events, capacity-building initiatives to assist non-profit youth agencies and drug and alcohol awareness campaigns.
City chief executive officer Mike Archer said youth engagement and the provision of and support for youth services remained one of the city’s highest priorities.
“Over the last two years we’ve taken a more proactive approach to engaging with young people,” Mr Archer said.
“The city has employed a youth development officer and trainee, revitalised the Busselton Youth Centre and supported youth focused events.”
Mr Archer also said the city was creating a dedicated youth precinct on the Busselton Foreshore complete with a new skateboard and BMX park.
“Future youth focused developments on the foreshore include the construction of a dedicated building for youth and community activities and the Surf Life Saving Club,” he said.
This is the second youth focused partnership between the City of Busselton and Rio Tinto.
The city has a large fly in fly out population and a significant portion of these workers are Rio Tinto employees.
Manager of Indigenous Employment and Business Development and Planning at Rio Tinto Ben Laidlaw said he was very pleased with the youth development officer program over the last 12 months.
“The success of this program is testament to the strong and proactive relationship we have developed with the City of Busselton and we look forward to building on these in the future,” Mr Laidlow said.
