A program boosting school attendance in a West Pilbara community has been secured for another three years thanks to a renewed partnership between the Waalitj Foundation and Mineral Resources (MinRes).
The Waalitj Foundation's Onslow Family Support Program supports families in the Onslow and the Bindi Bindi community to overcome barriers preventing children from attending school consistently.
Local mentors work with parents and caregivers to establish routines and facilitate school pick-ups, access to a healthy breakfast and incentives that encourage children to learn.
Launched in 2017, the program also extends to navigating departmental agencies, dealing with paperwork and managing medical appointments.
The program is currently working with 50 local families in Onslow and engages 75 children. Each semester, Waalitj Foundation staff deliver almost 600 school pick-ups and more than 1,200 home visits.
The recommitment by MinRes extends on the three-year partnership between the organisations, which began when the diversified resources company developed its Onslow Iron project.
MinRes' funding has also helped bring Waalitj Foundation mentors to support on-Country activities that provide a strong connection to culture.
Waalitj Foundation Onslow Family Support Manager Suzanne Wilson said the continued support from MinRes allows the organisation to deliver "meaningful, long-term outcomes for young people and families in Onslow".
"Through the Onslow Family Support Program, we can build trusted relationships, support school engagement, connect families with services, and create opportunities for young people to strengthen their connection to culture," she said.
"This partnership allows us to be a reliable presence in the community and continue making a positive difference in the lives of local families. We are proud of what has been achieved together and excited about the opportunities the next three years will bring."
MinRes Manager Communities and Stakeholder Engagement Daniel Barker said the company, by partnering with organisations such as the Waalitj Foundation, is able to support programs that drive school attendance, engagement and on-Country mentoring.
"This new longer-term partnership provides continuity for the Waalitj Foundation to build trusted relationships with children and families to provide consistent support in the community," he said.
"We're proud of what the Waalitj Foundation continues to achieve and look forward to the next three years of partnership."
Onslow Iron exports iron ore through the Port of Ashburton, located 15km south of Onslow. The project reached its nameplate capacity of 35 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) in August 2025, just 14 months after first ore on ship. In FY26, Onslow Iron exported 34.1 million tonnes.
