All-new end-of-year event set for Newman

Industry and community have combined to create a new end-of-year event in Newman that is set to bring rides and entertainment to the mining town. BHP hosts a large annual corporate Christmas party in Newman and this year they proposed a sponsorship partnership with the Shire of East Pilbara to extend the event for an additional day and open it to the public. At the August ordinary council meeting, the council unanimously voted to support the proposal for the end-of-year event. Deputy Shire president Wendy McWhirter Brooks said the new event would be welcomed by Newman families. “I’m very pleased to see this in the agenda because it gives a day’s entertainment to the families in Newman at the end of the year,” she said. “Well done to BHP for allowing us this opportunity to use gear that they had used for their corporate Christmas party function for the purpose of an all-community function.” The council voted to amend the 2023-24 budget to include an additional $50,000 to host the event. Shire president Anthony Middleton said the event’s costs would be significantly reduced by using the infrastructure already in place from BHP’s party. “It’s great that industry has noticed because they put up their event every year and there is a bit of flak towards them coming in and doing (the event usually),” he said. “Granted it’s a corporate business party, so to put it on offer for the community would significantly reduce our costs. From the Shire’s perspective, I think it is a great initiative.” Shire chief executive Steven Harding said the event had the potential to become an annual occasion for the town. “In our discussion, this is something that could probably become the norm,” he said. “They do it in other towns already or have done it historically, so if it goes well this year it is probably something we can put in our budget. “(We should) have those conversations early so it can become an annual event.” The BHP event and the subsequent community event are set to contain show rides, food vendors, and other festival entertainment. BHP general manager of Newman operations Dan Heal said the new partnership would provide a great event for the community. “We’re really pleased to be partnering with the Shire to extend our end-of-year celebration for the whole community to enjoy,” he said. We place enormous value on the support we get from the people and businesses of Newman, so it’s a fantastic way to celebrate everything we’ve achieved together over the year. We look forward to seeing everyone there.” The corporate party and the public event will be held on November 25 and 26 respectively.