New Partnership Impacts Community Youth

Tronox continues to make a positive impact on youth in our host communities.

Tronox recently entered into a partnership with the Clontarf Foundation to support the Clontarf Academy at Newton Moore Senior High School, near our Bunbury site. The mission of the Clontarf Foundation is to improve the education, discipline, self-esteem, life skills, and employment prospects of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and by doing so, equip them to participate more meaningfully in society. The programs are delivered through a network of academics, each one operating in partnership with a school or college.

Support from Tronox covers the funding needs for two boys per year at the academy, as well as career support, site tours, and volunteering opportunities for Tronox staff. And several additional benefits.

“The new partnership with Tronox assists the Foundation to impact the boys’ lives by getting them to school more, building their life skills, and connecting them to businesses that can offer them a career path,” said Michael Lay, Regional Manager, WA Southern Region Clontarf. “It’s also helping the academy to deliver fun events like the Partner Golf Day and the South West Basketball carnival so the boys can have fun.”

Tronox staff participated in a number of June events through the Foundation’s academies near our Bunbury and Kwinana locations.

Simon Francis and Sue Hill took to the Kwinana Golf Course to play nine rounds with Gilmore Academy students while chatting about what Tronox does, career opportunities, and how we can support their future growth. Simon said he was proud to take part in an important program benefitting some great young men.

“The year 11 and 12 students had been on a six-week program to teach them the fundamental components of golf, with the culmination being a game with partners,” he said. “It was a really fun day, and another great opportunity for these young men to interact with members of the community and potential future employers.”

Northshore also welcomed eight students from the Narrogin Academy for a site tour and some informal career networking. The tour was led by Scott Marshall, Emily Bessell and Caitlyn Eades.

Paul Kjellgren, Sharon Barrett, and Summa Hollins volunteered at the regional basketball carnival in June. Approximately 100 boys from academies in Kwinana, Mandurah, Bunbury, Collie, Narrogin, Katanning, and Albany took part in the team-building event. Summa was keen to support the academy due to its holistic approach to building confidence and creating healthy, bright, and successful futures.

“From what many see as basics, like shaking hands and introducing yourself, to opportunities to practice public speaking and obtaining a driver’s license, the program builds good habits through team accountability and good sportsmanship,” she said. “It’s also a long-term investment in these boys, as the pastoral care continues after they have left school – a unique and important aspect of the program.”

Building relationships is integral to the foundation, with events like this an opportunity for Tronox to build strong relationships among the students, Academy staff, and the broader community.