The Shire of Ashburton serves 10,000 residents across a vast Pilbara region. At nearly half the size of Victoria (105 647 square km), the Shire boasts some of the world’s largest open cut mines, pastoral leases and cattle stations and a thriving fishing industry – all set against a beautiful and ancient arid tropical landscape.
Ashburton’s Community Development Team plays a vital role in fostering social cohesion and wellbeing throughout the Shire, which can prove challenging across such an expansive area.
Councillor Peter Foster nominated the team as ‘High Achievers’ for their tireless efforts spent organising events and supporting local clubs.
The Executive Manager of Community Development, Lynnette O’Reilly, leads the team of 60 dedicated staff members, who are spread across four remote towns located up to 470 kilometres apart.
“In remote regional areas where populations are transient, social interaction is crucial to the wellbeing of the communities as residents are isolated from their family and support networks,” Ms O’Reilly told Local Government Focus.
The team works to be actively involved in the local community and is responsible for the operation and maintenance of a wide range of recreational and community facilities. They also provide a large range of events and activities within the major townships of Onslow, Pannawonica, Paraburdoo and Tom Price.
“Events provide an engaging connection to the community and sport and recreation offer valuable channels for social interaction,” said Ms O’Reilly.
The roster of events includes: Australia Day, ANZAC Day, ‘Welcome’ events, school holiday programs, NAIDOC week celebrations, sporting, library activities and an Indigenous basketball competition. The Community Development team also provides assistance to local clubs for their own events and capacity building.
Ms O’Reilly said forging strong government and corporate partnerships has been vital to the team’s success.
“The uniqueness and distance between each of our four towns means that one size does not fit all, so an individual approach has been created through the various partnership agreements.
“With support from our funding partners we are able to actively contribute towards the creation of vibrant and active communities within the Shire of Ashburton.”
Major partners include Chevron, Rio Tinto and the Department of Sport and Recreation.
Erin Glancy, Community Engagement Advisor at Chevron, said the company helps deliver wide-ranging services in the town of Onslow: “Through our ‘Working Together for Onslow’ partnership, we aim to add vibrancy to the town and provide opportunities for the entire community to participate and connect with each other.”
Rio Tinto delivers projects and services across the towns of Tom Price, Paraburdoo and Pannawonica. “The partnership continues to embed the values of capacity building, participation and sustainable practice and we have seen many local groups and not for profits benefit from these initiatives,” said Shannara Sewell, Manager Community Engagement, Rio Tinto.
Ms O’Reilly said the Community Development team “is continually challenged by the remoteness of our towns and the cycles of industry,” but it functions well as a unit.
“Communication is a critical component, as are resilience and ingenuity in order for the team to function well given the isolation, transient populations and community expectations.
“The team operates in what are often stressful conditions to deliver a portfolio of events and services.”
Other council departments also support the Community Development team, helping to overcome the obstacles that come with geographical remoteness.
“We are honoured that Councillor Peter Foster has nominated the team in recognition of all the hard work that is required to provide a valuable service to our remote communities,” said Ms O’Reilly.
“The Community Development team is a cog in the whole Shire team, and together we strive to deliver positive outcomes.”
