Community fund celebrates milestone

Representatives from Harvey and Waroona shire councils and community groups across the two regions helped Alcoa celebrate 10 years of the company’s community investment through the Alcoa Harvey Waroona Sustainability Fund.

Alcoa kickstarted the fund with a $400,000 investment in 2008, which has been topped up annually based on production from the Wagerup Refinery.

During the past decade, Alcoa has contributed $2.3 million to more than 50 community groups for about 60 projects, with a further $3.2 million held in trust to secure the future of the fund.

The fund has also been used as seed funding to leverage a further $11 million from State and Federal governments and other donors across the South West.

“Our seed funding signalled to other funders Alcoa’s commitment to, and confidence in, the community’s vision and capacity to turn something modest into something exceptional,” Alcoa of Australia managing director Michael Parker said.

He said the success of the fund was in the pride, enthusiasm and resilience of the community and grassroots groups.

The event was held at the Waroona Bowling Club on Monday, just one of the many community facilities the fund has been instrumental in upgrading.

Other fund projects include the Harvey Bowling Club, Australind Tennis Club and the planned upgrades to the Harvey Recreation and Cultural Centre.