As Port Hedland boomed around them in 2020, Life & Soul - closed due to COVID-19 - turned to mental health

A local business hit harder by lockdowns than most during COVID-19 has been honoured for its work in community mental health and efforts to become a “safe place” for those isolated in the Pilbara. Life and Soul Health and Fitness Club was on Saturday night named Hedland’s business of the year for 2021 at the Port Hedland Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s annual awards night at Port Hedland Yacht Club. It comes after a frustrating year for the gym’s staff and owners who watched the Pilbara’s economy go from strength to strength while their own workplace was forced to shut shop during COVID-19. Life and Soul co-manager Karlee Orr said it was hard watching the Pilbara boom as her own workplace sat locked up last year. “We were pretty much the only business shut down in Hedland, everything else was normal,” she said. “It ended up being for three months so we tried to do a lot of stuff online to keep our community together in regards to mental health and keeping everyone doing something. “We have so many members that don’t have family and friends so their happy space is when they come to our gym.” Ms Orr said she was thankful to be acknowledged with the award. Other big winners on the night included HD Hair Lounge, which won the people’s choice, and Bloodwood Tree and H Ride, which each picked up two awards. Hedland born-and-bred business owner Clinton Smith was awarded business leader of the year for his work in renewables. “It is a privilege to own and manage a business here in Port Hedland,” he said. “I have three young kids so it is pretty important to me to plan our lifestyle so we are not destroying theirs in the future. “Of anywhere in the world right now Hedland is the best place to be, and the safest place to be.” Declan Rahman, 17, who won trainee of the year, said his work with Qube and Programmed in the past 18 months had put him on a career path he was excited about. “I have been following my father through him getting a trade when he was young,” he said. Mr Rahman said he was proud to receive the accolade on Saturday night. 2021 award winners Goodline apprentice/trainee of the year Declan Rahman Pilbara Ports Authority employee of the year Robyn Todd Pilbara Development Commission best community organisation Care For Hedland Gateway Village tourism & hospitality award H Ride Fortescue best Aboriginal business Bloodwood Tree Association Kevin Michel/Hedland Hotel best home/mobile business Incite Conflict Management Horizon Power best business 0-4 employees Life and Soul Pharmacy 777 best business 5-10 employees F45 Training Pilbara Copy Service best business 11-20 employees Phoenix Security, Training and Event Group Hedland First National Commercial best business 20+ employees Bloodwood Tree Association Town of Port Hedland business leader of the year Clinton Smith Local Buying Foundation pivoter of the year H Ride Roy Hill people’s choice award HD Hair Lounge BHP business of the year Life and Soul