Fortescue champions community connection across the Pilbara

Winter in the Pilbara is a season of connection, when towns across the region come alive with festivals, art, music and celebration. This year, Fortescue joined forces with the Town of Port Hedland, City of Karratha and Shire of East Pilbara to help deliver some of the region’s much-loved community events, each one celebrating the spirit and diversity that make the Pilbara home.

In the Shire of East Pilbara, the Newman NAIDOC Ball once again shone as a major highlight of the local calendar. The event honoured Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, elders and community leaders who continue to shape the town’s story. Building on this celebration of heritage, Welcome to Newman invited new residents to connect with local clubs, services and volunteering opportunities, helping newcomers become part of the fabric of community life.

Further north, the City of Karratha buzzed with creativity and colour at the Fortescue Children’s Art Awards. As the region’s largest children’s visual arts program, the exhibition showcased artworks from early childhood through to teenage years, displayed in a professional gallery setting. Through its naming partnership, Fortescue celebrates emerging talent and encourages young artists across the region to participate in the arts.

No Pilbara winter would be complete without the FeNaClNG Festival, one of Western Australia’s longest-running regional celebrations. Drawing thousands from across the state, the festival filled Karratha with live music, sport, food and laughter - a joyful reminder of how community events bring people together. 

In Port Hedland, the Spinifex Spree delivered a weekend of family fun, with entertainment, market stalls and local food vendors adding to the festive energy. Fortescue’s support helped enhance the event’s family-friendly zones and improve accessibility, ensuring everyone could share in the experience. The town also came together for Youth Week, a vibrant program of workshops and activities co-designed with young people, celebrating youth voices and leadership while empowering Hedland’s next generation to shape their own community future. 

Fortescue Director Approvals, Communities & Environment, Rosli Wheelock, said the partnerships reflected Fortescue’s ongoing commitment to building thriving communities and celebrating the Pilbara’s people and places. 

“These events highlight what makes the Pilbara so special - the creativity, the culture, and the incredible community spirit that define this region,” Mr Wheelock said. 

“As part of the Pilbara community, Fortescue is proud to stand alongside local governments and organisations who bring these celebrations to life. Together, we’re helping ensure that every person across the region feels connected, celebrated and proud to call the Pilbara home.”