ERA partnerships & sponsorships

Energy Resources of Australia Ltd (ERA) supports a variety of partnerships and sponsorships which are designed to support healthy, creative community activities, strengthen community ties and develop employment, cultural and entertainment opportunities for local people. In 2008, ERA contributed more than $250 thousand in partnerships and sponsorships. ERA’s involvement ranges from partnerships, where the company is directly engaged in supporting activities, to sponsorships, where ERA contributes funds to assist with particular projects and events.

 - Territory Team partnership
In 2008 ERA, Rio Tinto and Rio Tinto Alcan announced their role as Premier Partners in the Territory Team football and netball programme. The new Northern Territory “Storm” netball team competed in the new Australian Netball League in 2008, while “Thunder”, the new Territory football team made its debut in the Queensland AFL competition in 2009. The partnership provides ERA, Rio Tinto Alcan and Rio Tinto Australia the opportunity to be a “Premier Partner” of iconic Territory based nationally recognised teams, and ensures sporting and career pathways for Territory players. The partnership also provides access to mentors and potential leaders from the team players and administrators. As each player in both teams is required to be in full time employment or a traineeship, the sponsorship provides ERA with access to potential trainees and employees. Players will run coaching clinics and an annual pre-season trial match in either Jabiru or Gove.

Thunder players and officials will be visiting Jabiru and Gove throughout July and August. Further details regarding the clinics will be available soon.

 - Kakadu National Park Climate Change Workshop
ERA co-sponsored the 2008 Kakadu National Park Climate Change Symposium with the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, which was attended by national and international scientific experts in climate change impacts and adaptation.

 - 2008 NT Indigenous Music Awards
ERA is a sponsor of the NT Indigenous Music Awards, which support the growth and development of original and contemporary music in the Northern Territory. The 2008 Awards held at the Darwin’s Botanic Gardens Amphitheatre recognised Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, who won four awards. 

 - NT Mines Rescue Competition
The NT Mines Rescue Competition is organised by the Northern Territory Resources Council in association with ERA and other Territory mining companies. In the 2008 competition ERA’s Emergency Rescue Team won best overall team. Support for the competition increases skills and emergency response capabilities.

 - George Chaloupka Fellowship
In 2008 ERA funded the George Chaloupka Research Fellowship, offering a $25,000 stipend for each of the next three years to a scholar who engages in exploration or documentation of Aboriginal rock art sites. George Chaloupka is regarded as the foremost expert on the rock art of Arnhem Land, and ERA hopes the fellowship will extend George’s work to study and preserve Aboriginal rock art. 

 - Space School
Inspiring students to learn about science, technology and engineering, and to one day reach for the stars was the aim of the Northern Territory’s first Space School. Sponsored by ERA, the Northern Territory Space School is a four day residential programme for Year 10 and 11 students. As part of ERA’s sponsorship, NASA astronaut Robbie Satcher visited Jabiru Area School and Gunbalanya.

Photo courtesy of www.sevphoto.com/