BHP Billiton Iron Ore has won the Caliburn Corporate Strategy Award at the national Australia Business Arts Foundation Awards, making it the third year running a Western Australian-based company has won.
BHPBIO joins Alcoa in 2003 and Wesfarmers in 2004 as previous winners of the national award.
BHPBIO’s nomination focused on The Pilbara Community Partnership Program, one of its community programs in outback WA where it operates.
The program utilises partnerships with several arts organisations in an attempt to respond to business challenges in remote WA by engaging with the communities where they operate, through cultural programs.
The company supports several arts organisations including WA Ballet, Australian String Quartet, the UWA Perth International Arts Festival and more recently a $5 million sponsorship agreement with FORM: Contemporary Craft and Design.
The judges commented on the strong community component of BHPBIO’s support for the arts.
They said the company had a significant impact on different parts of the arts community including Indigenous culture, theatre and dance.
Other WA finalists were The West Australian Symphony Orchestra with Sandalford Wines in the Sensis Small Business Award, and Emirates and Sandalford in the City of Sydney Open Award.
In the KPMG adviceBank Award, two of the three finalists were from WA – Lindsay O’Sullivan of Freehills who volunteered with FORM: Contemporary Craft and Design; and Peter Gianoli and Rebecca Gray of Mirvac Fini who volunteered with ARTRAGE.
AbaF and the State Arts Sponsorship Scheme Awards have now aligned their nomination criteria, making it easier for organisations to nominate with both awards schemes.
The State Arts Sponsorship Scheme Awards nominations close on August 12, with winners announced on November 11.
Nomination forms can be downloaded from the Department of Culture and Arts website at www.dca.wa.gov.au/sasa2005.asp
