Leaders immersed in Pilbara cultural experience

High-level WA leaders from the government, not-for-profit and private sectors toured the Pilbara last week to gain insights from the rich culture and advanced industry of our region.

Each year, Leadership WA brings a cohort of high-flyers to the Pilbara on one of two regional field trips to expand their knowledge of the issues and opportunities that face country WA.

Leadership WA chief executive Dominique Mecoy said the Pilbara was an important region for all WA leaders to visit.

“The breadth of experiences, industry activity and culture across this beautiful region shows just how vital it is to our State,” she said.

“Any Western Australian leader — whether based in Perth or in the regions — cannot afford to miss out on learning from the people of the Pilbara region.”

During their three-day visit, participants visited the Ngarliyarndu Bindirri Aboriginal Corporation, the Ngurin Cultural Centre, local police, the Pilbara Ports Authority and Karratha and Districts Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and toured ancient rock art on the Burrup Peninsula.

Signature program participant and People With Disabilities executive director Samantha Jenkinson said she had learnt a lot from seeing the region.

“The Pilbara has such a depth of diversity and history, which gives the region such richness of experience,” she said.

“It was fantastic to see and hear from diverse leaders who are so invested in their community.”

“Connection to the community and working together to support each other, whether in a government agency, the council, or as an elder, came across as such an important part of leadership we can all learn from.”