Close to $7 million has been contributed by the Western Australian resources sector through a Bushfire Community Support Initiative to benefit individuals and the local communities impacted by the Perth Hills fires in early February.
CME coordinated the initiative during challenging Perth lockdown circumstances, with our members quick to provide their financial support, to be distributed between two key organisations – the Perth Lord Mayor’s Distress Relief Fund and the Red Cross.
Contributions to the Lord Mayor’s Distress Relief Fund cover the immediate relief requirements of those impacted by the Perth Hills fires, while contributions to the Red Cross have been ring-fenced to support their response and medium to long term recovery work in WA, including teams on the ground working in evacuation centres.
A significant number of workers at CME member companies have been impacted by these fires and many others have friends and families who have been affected. People have lost their homes, livestock and pets, along with priceless memories. Others have been displaced and are uncertain of when they will be able to return home.
Whilst contributions to the Bushfire Community Support Initiative can’t replace what many of those people have lost, it will hopefully make things a little easier for them in the days, weeks and months to come.
CME would like to thank AngloGold Ashanti Australia, BHP, Chevron, EMR Golden Grove, Evolution Mining, Inpex, Minara Resources, Mt Gibson Iron, Newmont, Northern Star Resources, Pilbara Minerals, Ramelius Resources, Rio Tinto, Roy Hill, Shell, South32, Talison Lithium, Thiess and Woodside who have contributed so generously to the initiative.
