 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
October 3, 2008
Alcoa celebrates 30 years on tour
|
|
|
After receiving over 600,000 visitors since opening its doors to the community in 1978 and being recognised as a major accredited tourist attraction, Alcoa’s Huntly bauxite mine and its Pinjarra refinery will celebrate 30 years of mine tours during a major celebration on Thursday 9 October, hosted by Channel 9’s Dixie Marshall.
Local, interstate and overseas visitors including Paul Keating, Malcolm Fraser, former Governor General Michael Jefferies, US Consul General Dr Ken Chern - and even Charles and Di who toured one of Alcoa’s east coast smelters back in the early 1980’s - have been some of the high profile tour participants over the years.
The milestone event is being held at the new Alcoa Discovery Centre and will be attended by over 100 of Alcoa’s partners, employees and fellow community members, as well as Rachel Telford, Regional Manager of Experience Perth, from Tourism WA.
And to mark the 30th anniversary of its free educational tours, the company has launched The Alcoa Sustainability Tour, a unique educational experience which focuses on Alcoa’s economic, social and environmental sustainability. This is in addition to a newly introduced tour of Alcoa’s Wagerup and Willowdale operations which, together with the sustainability tour, takes places once a month.
Simon Butterworth, General Manager of Operations, says the planned celebrations mark 30 years of Alcoa sharing its story and helping the community to better understand the company and the resources sector.
“Our tours aim to help visitors experience first hand the aluminium industry and to assist our community understand what we do at Alcoa, and the role we play in Australian life,” he said.
“It’s a great opportunity to showcase our world-class mining and rehabilitation operations, and our commitment to environmental responsibility.
“Our new sustainability tour explains Alcoa’s focus on climate change challenges and sustainable growth, issues we all need to be thinking about.”
During the celebrations, local resident and Alcoa employee Raelene Jones will be acknowledged and commended for reaching her own 30th anniversary with the company. Raelene was one of the first tour guides to begin work at Alcoa in 1978 when the first public tours commenced.
The 30th anniversary event will also recognise Raelene and Alcoa’s tour guides and education officers who have helped to shape what has become one of Western Australia’s leading resources sector education and tourism programs.
The 30th celebratory event will take place from 11am to 1pm at the Alcoa Discovery Centre, which is located within the Pinjarra Rail Heritage Centre.
Community tours are conducted from Tuesday to Friday every week at Alcoa’s Huntly and Pinjarra sites, its Wagerup refinery and Willowdale mine. Visitors range from school and tertiary students, tourists, international and national mining industry delegates, industry organisations and special interest groups.
During these tours, visitors are able to gain an insight into Alcoa’s commitment to award-winning mine rehabilitation and revegetation techniques, which have created a world benchmark and have returned 100 per cent species richness to the rehabilitated mine area in the local Jarrah forest.
Media Contact: Ruth Gourley - 0434 330 384
Further information can be found at www.alcoa.com.au
PHOTO AND INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES
Interview opportunities are available on the day with:
• Simon Butterworth, General Manager Operations, Alcoa of Australia
• Raelene Jones, Community Education Officer
• Kathryn Sydney-Smith, Community Relations Manager,
• Noel Nancarrow, President Shire of Murray
Photo opportunities also include MC Dixie Marshall, local children and guests undertaking ‘Choc Chip mining’ activities.
|
|
|
|
