Here for Gladstone Celebrates 20 years
Here for Gladstone represents the community contributions of Rio Tinto Yarwun, Boyne Smelters Limited and Queensland Alumina Limited into the Gladstone community.
Our purpose is to build a strong, sustainable future for our community through impact-driven investment. Here for Gladstone is governed by an Advisory Board of community leaders and industry experts. The Board takes a strategic evidence-based approach to invest in local initiatives that have long term social and economic benefits for the Gladstone community. For us, effective community investment is supporting sustainable community-led initiatives that promote active partnerships at a local level based on mutual commitment, trust and openness.
History
Since 1964 when QAL first commenced construction, we have invested in the region. This continued with the construction of BSL in 1982, Yarwun in 2002 and
the Yarwun 2 expansion project in 2012. In 2002, the Rio Tinto Alcan Community Fund was formed. After many years of serving community needs, it became clear that much more could be achieved with greater collaboration of all Gladstone’s Rio Tinto operations. As such, in 2012, Here for Gladstone was formed. Through active partnerships, the fund has supported a diverse range of programs to help the Gladstone community thrive, with more than $7.2 million in funding provided in the past 20 years.
Here for Business
Here for Business is a free business development program for new and growing small and medium businesses in Gladstone. The program helps business owners from a range of industries learn the fundamentals of business success, including developing business plans, exploring marketing strategies, human resources, financial and business management and risk assessment. Since the program was established in late 2017, 33 businesses have participated in the program creating more than 90 new local jobs. Some local favourite businesses that have been through the Here for Business program are Deli Plate, PK’s Automotive, Milestones Physiotherapy and Gladstone Community Linking Agency (to name a few).
Volunteering project
In partnership with Not for Profit House, Here for Gladstone is undertaking a research project to understand the behaviours and attitudes of our employees in relation to volunteering. The research will be used to inform how our business and workforce can better support community groups and enhance volunteerism within our teams.
Gladstone Mindcare
Mindcare is Gladstone’s first dedicated hub to support people with mental health and alcohol and other drug issues. This project started with Here for Gladstone in 2014, and through years of planning and research finally came to life in 2021. One year on, more than 2,000 people have visited the hub, over 100 people have been supported to access services and 65 community
members trained in Mental Health First Aid.
Located at 147 Goondoon Street, Gladstone Mindcare offers a community space for locals to access information, and connect with mental health and wellbeing supports and the Gladstone Mindcare hub. Learn more at gladstonemindcare.org.au.
About Us
Together, Rio Tinto Yarwun, Boyne Smelters Limited and Queensland Alumina Limited are the largest employers and economic contributors to the region directly employing more than 2,600 men and women who call Gladstone home. We recognise that our business’s success is so much more than commercial, which is why we aim to be embedded within and valued members of the Gladstone community. Follow ‘Here for Gladstone’ on Facebook to learn more about the many organisations and events we support that aim to improve the daily lives of the Gladstone community,
such as employment, economic diversification, health services, mental health support and family and domestic violence support.