The Shed making an impact in regional WA

Royal Life Saving Society WA has been managing BHP Billiton’s ‘Jigalong Shed Project’ for the past two years, and the two organisations recently celebrated this partnership with an extension of a service agreement that sees both parties working prominently within the Jigalong community.

Jigalong is an Aboriginal community located 170km east of Newman, and is on the edge of the Great Sandy Desert in WA's Pilbara region. The town and surrounding area is home to the Martu people, where the population fluctuates between 100 and 500 — depending on the time of year and activities in the community.

BHP Billiton funded the construction of a large workshop/shed facility in Jigalong, and upon completion Royal Life Saving WA was appointed as the Jigalong Shed Complex Manager.

Adrian Brahim, BHP Billiton’s Specialist Indigenous Relations Manager noted that "the key driver in the development of the Shed was to provide community members with a range of training and development opportunities".

"Ultimately, it is anticipated that the Shed will help to support the growth of local enterprise that supports the Community’s progress towards economic independence and social sustainability." continued Mr Brahim. 

Since taking on the management of this project, Royal Life Saving has made significant progress towards the development of a range of enterprise opportunities, and has helped to facilitate a number of training and developmental activities for community members.

Royal Life Saving's Shed Manager, Ryan Ingley, said the Shed "is fast becoming a hub of activity; a place where community members feel welcome and participate in activities that they may never had the opportunity to experience prior to the Shed’s construction".

Royal Life Saving's Workforce Solutions Department will continue to manage the implementation of this agreement with BHP Billiton, with both parties expressing a high level of enthusiasm and optimism towards fulfilling the Shed’s purpose.

For further information on this project or other professional services provided by Royal Life Saving Society WA please contact Travis Doye on 9383 8200, email tdoye@rlsswa.com.au or click the link below.

For further information on BHP Billiton’s Community and Sustainability activities follow the link to the BHP Billiton website.