The smelter and concentrator's Community Participation Team is a group of dedicated volunteers who give their time, energy and skills in support of the local community.

The Community Participation Team co-ordinates the Tools for Change Year 7 to 8 school transition program for 540 students in the region. Students participate in a range of activities over two days designed to encourage personal and social responsibility and build self-esteem. The program involves schools and over 40 volunteers. It takes place over ten days in November and is supported by year round planning.

The Community Participation Team also provides support to local education, sports and health projects and gives hands on help to community groups such as Kalgoorlie Boulder Urban Landcare Group. Major projects supported during 2004 include:

• Goldfields Touch Football Association
• Goldfields Historical Association
• YMCA Health & Fitness Program
• Kurrawang Aboriginal & Christian Community
• Bega Garnbirringu Training Centre

In Kambalda, WMC has supported the community through a range of projects including part sponsorship of the township's Christmas Party and by contributing to community consultative groups such as the Kambalda Recreation Centre working group. Partners, family and community members participated in a Concentrator Open Day to provide information on WMC operations and personal health opportunities. Most recently WMC has contributed $1.75m to the recreation centre and senior's facility in Kambalda. This gift was an acknowledgement of the long working partnership between WMC and the Kambalda community. A Kambalda Community Day was organised to celebrate this donation. The event included a large variety of activities for children and was well attended, with over 400 people enjoying the day.

Kalgoorlie Nickel Smelter and Kambalda Concentrator management supported several local business and community organisations. Support for educational initiatives was a focus in 2004. Support included provision of accommodation and 4th year student bursaries for Western Australian School of Mines, facilitation of high school work experience placements and student project work.

WMC also supports the Goldfields Football Academy, a school-based football program attached to the Eastern Goldfields high school. The Academy promotes indigenous participation in education. 2004 marks the third year of a total WMC grant of $180,000.

Community networks established and maintained include WMC presence with the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Goldfields Indigenous Employment Forum, Kambalda Community and Recreation Centre Working Group and the Kalgoorlie Women's Health Care Centre

KNSC is a member of the Eastern Regional Council of the Chamber of Minerals and Energy.

KNSC co-ordinated a large number of on-site tours and familiarisations and hosted international delegations from Japan, China and Korea. Several regional and national groups including students, community and business associations were taken through the sites.

Assistance was provided to several indigenous groups in the Kalgoorlie-Boulder region. This included provision of a job readiness program to assist indigenous job seekers. It also included presentations to small business groups on employment and contracts. WMC has also been an active participant in community-run indigenous programs for employment, training and business participation.

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