Iluka seeks to make a positive difference to all of the communities in which we operate, including through social investment. In early 2024, we launched our new grants program, Iluka Lends a Hand, to strengthen our governance and impact around social investment.
Applications for Iluka Lends a Hand are invited twice a year across project and operational sites, in five focus areas: healthy communities, environment, education and training, community enterprise and community safety. Through this program and other donations and sponsorships, Iluka has contributed to a significant number of community projects, events and organisations in Western Australia, South Australia and the Murray Basin, and we continue to build relationships with the people championing the wellbeing and development of their communities.
If you would like to apply for funding for your event, project or organisation through Iluka Lends a Hand, please download the information sheet below for further details including funding criteria. Our funding windows to receive applications are April and October each year. To apply, you can complete the online application form by clicking the button below or download a copy of the form and send the completed version to us within an application window.
If you have questions about the Iluka Lends a Hand program, please email [email protected] for more information.
CASE STUDIES
Supporting the Western District Health Service
Iluka has continued to support the Western District Health Service (WDHS) in Victoria through sponsorship of its annual charity golf day to raise funds for vital health services in the region.
Held in Hamilton in November each year, each WDHS golf day sees around 30 teams competing. Iluka has been a proud sponsor of this event for several years with our employees more than happy to roll up their sleeves and volunteer, firing up the barbecues, setting up stalls around the course and pitching in as needed – rain or shine.
As the sponsors of a ladies' team in 2023, Iluka was delighted when they took out first place in the ladies' event! The 2024 event was once again a great success with a wonderful outcome.
“We raised just under $21,000 which I think is our biggest tally yet," WDHS Community Liaison Project Officer Leonie Sharrock said. "The Iluka volunteers really do make all the difference to the smooth running and enjoyment of the day."
Iluka is delighted to support WDHS to ensure that regional health needs can be met in western Victoria.
Balranald Football Netball Club Major Sponsorship
Iluka is supporting the Balranald community by providing $100,000 to the Balranald Football and Netball Club (BFNC) over a four-year period.
The club will use the money to update several things including the installation of a new electronic scoreboard, updating the canteen building and timekeeper's box, as well as providing additional seating at the oval and netball courts.
“We are very appreciative of Iluka's sponsorship and we are very excited to have them on board as a sponsor for the next four years,” BFNC President Tony Stead said.
“We will be part of the Balranald and Riverina communities for many years to come and we are pleased to be able to offer our support to the clubs that mean so much to locals,” Iluka’s Balranald Operations Manager Dave Wright added.
With Balranald a ‘one-team town’ the BFNC is the heart and soul of the community, with community members of all ages pitching in to make each season a success.
Installing Weather Stations for Local Farmers
In mid-2024, Iluka funded the purchase and installation of two weather stations and a soil moisture probe for a farming community in western Victoria, the Arapiles South Agriculture Group. The technology, provided by Agbyte, has helped to close a gap in reliable real-time data for farmers to make better day-to-day and longer-term decisions – including adapting farming practices to a changing climate.
The group has 25 members from across livestock and cropping operations benefiting from the data, which can be accessed via a smartphone app. Eventually, about 50 members will have access to the information.
“This data helps us make good business decisions," local farmer Nick Pekin said. "Everyone has a mobile so it just means you can make informed decisions in real time, wherever you are. It’s very user friendly.”
Iluka is proud of its support of this important project to assist farmers, and we loved seeing one of the weather stations in action recently after its installation.
Making strides for mental health in Ceduna
The Roses in the Ocean event in Ceduna, near Iluka’s Jacinth-Ambrosia operation in South Australia, is dedicated to raising awareness of suicide. Participants of the event join a 10km walk, jog or run in remembrance of those lost to suicide and those affected in other ways by suicide and mental health difficulties, playing an important part in strengthening community wellbeing in the region and opening up the conversation around mental health.
Iluka sponsored the 2024 event, hosted by Ceduna Community Wellbeing, which was a resounding success with increased attendance compared to previous years – including many participants from interstate. The positive feedback highlights the importance of the support that Ceduna Community Wellbeing provides to the community, reinforcing their commitment and motivating the local township to remain connected in the region. A total of 70 roses were released on the day from the Ceduna Jetty, symbolising love, remembrance, and hope, as families, friends, and individuals gathered to honour the occasion.
We hope that our support of meaningful initiatives such as these can have long-lasting ripple effects in the community, as we continue to strive to make a positive difference.