ALCOA has been part of the community for the past 40 years and been involved in a number of key infrastructure projects, in particular within the Shire of Murray.
The Pinjarra Refinery delivered a much-needed financial boost to Pinjarra St John Ambulance in 1984 to help the community group build a new depot.
The refinery granted $30,000 to Pinjarra St John Ambulance on the proviso St John’s head office in Belmont matched the donation, which it did.
Pinjarra St John Ambulance also sold its old building to the Shire of Murray for $120,000, helping further to fill coffers and finance its dream of a new depot.
Former Alcoa employee and retired Pinjarra St John Ambulance treasurer Bill Banks said savvy financial advice from the local Westpac branch enabled Pinjarra ambulance service to expand its small nest egg.
Bill, treasurer for 25 years before relinquishing the position in 2002, said that by investing in the overnight money market, doing well at the time, the community group was able to make its dream a reality.
“We soon had enough to construct the building, which cost $235,000 plus enough to purchase two new ambulances,” he said.
In recognition of Alcoa’s keystone donation to the new depot campaign, Pinjarra St John Ambulance had the then refinery manager Geoff Hayward dedicate the building in 1986.
Alcoa realised the goal of a dedicated library for the shire in 1989. By putting forward $385,000 out of a total $410,700 required for construction of the building, the library, previously housed at Edenvale, had a new home.
Leap forward to last year and Alcoa was once again contributing to turn the dream of a local swimming pool into reality. A $7 million facility was opened by Premier Colin Barnett in 2011.
The refinery celebrates its 40th anniversary on Saturday, May 5 with an invitation only open day for present and former employees. Contact Tanya Beechey on 9531 6240.