Earbus, OCCI big winners

Two Pilbara organisations have won WA Regional Community Achievement Awards.

The Earbus Foundation of WA was given the nod for community group of the year at last month’s gala dinner in Perth.

Foundation workers fly 40,000km and drives 26,000km each year to treat 1200 children at 22 locations in the Pilbara and Goldfields regions.

The development of northern regional WA award went to the Onslow Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

OCCI president Geoff Herbert said the award was a testament to the work put into growing the chamber over the past four years.

“We were stoked just to make the finals, so then to get that recognition for the chamber is fantastic,” he said.

“We have 128 members now, we have brand new office space in the centre of town, a full-time CEO running it, and next year are looking to kick off a business support program.”

It has been a big year for Onslow, with businesses from the town making the finals of many awards ceremonies.

Mr Herbert said it showed how far local business had come.

“Onslow businesses have worked extremely hard in the recent past to get themselves to a stage where many now are winning contracts with Chevron, Bechtel and State Government programs,” he said.

Regional Development Minister Terry Redman said the event recognised the work being done in a variety of fields across WA.

“The awards recognise locally driven projects and activities that help ensure regional communities continue to thrive and develop,” he said.