Pilbara high-achievers claim regional WA awards

An Exmouth craft brewery and former Karratha health worker were among the North West winners that dominated at a prestigious ceremony celebrating rural feats and contributions last week.

The WA Regional Achievement and Community Awards were hosted in Perth last Friday night, shining the spotlight on the accomplishments of hardworking people, businesses and not-for-profit groups across the State.

But it was the Kimberley and Pilbara that cleaned up at the gala event, claiming six of the 12 categories on the night.

The recently launched Froth Craft Brewery of Exmouth bubbled to the top in the Rinehart Development of Northern Regional WA Award, in just its third year of operation.

Froth director Pete Firth said the business, along with fellow local craft brewery Whalebone, had worked to add value to Exmouth by offering more quality public events and live entertainment and raising the town’s profile.

“We’re experiencing craft beer tourism now, where we see a number of people coming through our brewery after making the turn-off to come the extra 195km to experience all the extra craft beer, dining and live entertainment options that are on offer now in Exmouth,” he said.

“Being a catalyst for that has been fantastic and seeing the town embrace that and all the other businesses get on board and raise the standard is brilliant, and that in itself we think is contributing to developing northern WA.”

Karratha’s Nanette Williams, a former regional health co-ordinator and founder of the Pilbara Community Legal Service, was also rewarded for her 36 years of commitment to growing services in the Pilbara town with the Community TAB Community Service Award.

Mrs Williams said she was surprised but thrilled to have her local contributions recognised on a State-wide stage.

“When I see a need, I do something about it, and it was very obvious in those days the need in the health area in Karratha,” she said.

“There were no drug and alcohol services, no disability services ... and it was very apparent coming from Rockingham, where all those services did exist, and as I was in the right position in the health department, I thought why not start them?”

Other North West winners were the Djarindjin Airport (Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Economic Development Award), the Broome-based Life and Soul Health and Fitness Club (Prime Super Business Achievement Award), Boab Health Services (Insurance Commission of WA Regional Safety Award) and the Mirima Dawang Woorlab-gerring Language and Cultural Centre (Curtin University School of Education Teaching Excellence Award).

Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries director Duncan Ord said it was inspiring to see so many Kimberley and Pilbara projects highlighted at the awards.

“(They) are all about shining a light on the way local governments are working together to create healthier, more prosperous and inclusive communities,” he said.