Worsley Alumina - Expressions Of Interest

Indigenous artists set to colour village
The walls of BHP Billiton Worsley Alumina's new accommodation village will get an injection of colour soon when work begins on an indigenous mural project.

Worsley Alumina is calling for expressions of interest for the creation of art works to decorate the main dining room at the village, which is housing non-local construction workers engaged on the company's A$2.5 billion expansion.

It is envisaged the art works will be created on large canvasses and will pay homage to local Indigenous people, land and culture as well as promote respect, harmony and a sharing of knowledge.

Several artists or teams may be commissioned to develop the collaborative art works, establishing a creative opportunity to share their skills and techniques while also educating village residents on indigenous culture and art.

Worsley Alumina general manager Julius Matthys said the project provided an ideal opportunity for cross-cultural exchange and would enhance the company's existing support for Indienous art and culture.

Worsley currently promotes indigenous art and culture in the South West region through its Worsley Alumina Acquisitive Award, which contributes artworks to the collection curated and managed by the City of Bunbury. Worsley also assists with local indigenous art workshops held annually in Bunbury and every second year in Collie and Boddington.

Mornington Village has been constructed, near the intersection of Mornington and Gastaldo roads, close to the Worsley refinery. When completed, it will have the capacity to house up to 1550 workers.

The expansion will increase Worsley Alumina's annual production capacity from 3.5 million tonnes per annum to 4.6 million tonnes per annum. The refinery near Collie is being expanded and updated, a new bauxite mining area is being developed near Boddington and Worsley's facilities at the Bunbury Port are being enhanced.

Artists interested in submitting an application for the BHP Billiton Worsley Alumina Indigenous Mural Project should contact Sarah Stanley on 9762 6021 or Sarah.Stanley@bhpbilliton.com for an information pack.

Applications close on July 24.