Success of fund celebrated at event
![Harvey shire president Tania Jackson and Waroona shire president Mike Walmsley celebrate the milestone with Alcoa of Australia managing director Michael Parker.](https://images.thewest.com.au/publication/B881156376Z/1554790658213_G9I25959S.2-2.jpg?imwidth=810&impolicy=wan_v3)
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.
The event was held at the Waroona Bowling Club on April 1.
Alcoa kickstarted the fund with a $400,000 investment in 2008, which has been topped up annually based on production from the Wagerup Refinery.
Over the past decade, Alcoa has contributed $2.3 million to more than 50 community groups and 60 projects, with a further $3.2 million held in trust for the future of the fund.
The fund has also been used 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 managing director Michael Parker said.
Alcoa of Australia managing director Michael Parker said the success of the fund was in the pride, enthusiasm and resilience of the community and grassroots groups.
“The legacy of this partnership, between the Shire of Harvey, the Shire of Waroona and Alcoa, will continue to reap rewards for decades to come,” Mr Parker said.
Harvey shire president Tania Jackson and Waroona shire president Mike Walmsley spoke about the many projects realised thanks to the $2.3 million invested by Alcoa so far, and spoke of the fund’s secure future thanks to a further $3.2 million held in trust.
Cr Walmsley said the fund gave the community a unique opportunity to access funding which would be difficult to raise under normal circumstances.
![Harvey Recreation and Cultural Centre manager David Marshall and Brunswick Men's Shed representative Tina Wallis.](https://images.thewest.com.au/publication/B881156376Z/1554790658213_G9I2595A3.2-0.jpg?imwidth=810&impolicy=wan_v3)
![Preston Beach Volunteer Fire Brigade lieutenant Clinton Vagg and captain Steve Thomas celebrate with Waroona west Volunteer Fire Brigade secretary Joe Commisso.](https://images.thewest.com.au/publication/B881156376Z/1554790658213_G9I2595AD.2-0.jpg?imwidth=810&impolicy=wan_v3)
![Harvey shire councillor Michelle Boylan, Harvey Visitors Centre manager Gemma Longford and Harvey shire councillor Anita Shortland.](https://images.thewest.com.au/publication/B881156376Z/1554790658213_G9I2595AJ.2-0.jpg?imwidth=810&impolicy=wan_v3)
![Waroona Bowling Club social committee members Daphne Zucaro and Margaret Russell prepare a feast behind the scenes at the event.](https://images.thewest.com.au/publication/B881156376Z/1554790658213_G9I2595AS.2-0.jpg?imwidth=810&impolicy=wan_v3)
![Waroona Agricultural Society's Maree Ellis and Alcoa corporate affairs officer Jodie Read discuss the fund's success.](https://images.thewest.com.au/publication/B881156376Z/1554790658213_G9I2595B4.2-0.jpg?imwidth=810&impolicy=wan_v3)
![Alcoa's Wagerup environmental manager Jocelyn Zimmerman talks about the future with Yarloop Bowling Club members Alan Poultney and Fred Duplessis.](https://images.thewest.com.au/publication/B881156376Z/1554790658213_G9I2595BD.2-0.jpg?imwidth=810&impolicy=wan_v3)
![Waroona Shire councillor John with his wife Val Salerian at the event.](https://images.thewest.com.au/publication/B881156376Z/1554790658213_G9I2595BJ.2-0.jpg?imwidth=810&impolicy=wan_v3)
![Waroona Lions Club and Men's Shed members Mike Whitney, Phil Turner, John Clare, Alan Lochowicz and Heinz Fuchs celebrate at the event.](https://images.thewest.com.au/publication/B881156376Z/1554790658213_G9I2595BQ.2-0.jpg?imwidth=810&impolicy=wan_v3)
![Yarloop artists Yvonne Chapman talks about the future of the fund with Yarloop CWA members Jenny Burton and Debra Tyler.](https://images.thewest.com.au/publication/B881156376Z/1554790658213_G9I2595C0.2-0.jpg?imwidth=810&impolicy=wan_v3)
![Waroona shire councillor John Mason and Alcoa manager of community relations Tom Busher talk abbout upcoming projects from the fund.](https://images.thewest.com.au/publication/B881156376Z/1554790658213_G9I2595C7.2-0.jpg?imwidth=810&impolicy=wan_v3)
![Harvey Catholic Parish priest Father Jess Navarra and parish volunteers Bianca Underdown, Pauline Burgess and Ester Italiano celebrate the success the fund has brought their soup kitchen project.](https://images.thewest.com.au/publication/B881156376Z/1554790658213_G9I2595CB.2-0.jpg?imwidth=810&impolicy=wan_v3)
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