ABC Pilbara

06/08/2025

A prospector has captured the incredible moment he literally struck gold in Western Australia's Goldfields and unearthed a seven-ounce nugget.

Kevin Richardson, who runs an educational Youtube channel sharing his prospecting tips and tricks, was demonstrating the importance of searching under bushes when his metal detector started beeping loudly.

📝 Andrew Collins via WA Regional Drive
🎬 Tim Carrier
📹 YouTube/BK Gold Prospecting

06/08/2025

Police Commissioner Col Blanch says police would respond differently now if confronted with a report of domestic violence similar to the tragedy that claimed the life of Lynn Cannon. Here's what has changed.

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Police Commissioner Col Blanch says police would respond differently now if confronted with a report of domestic violence similar to the tragedy that claimed the life of Lynn Cannon. Here's what has changed.

06/08/2025

The oil and gas company has been told to cease decommissioning operations at two WA gas fields due to preventable safety incidents.

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The oil and gas company has been told to cease decommissioning operations at two WA gas fields due to preventable safety incidents.

06/08/2025

In the lead up to this weekend's Roebourne Rodeo, Karlayura Rodeo hosted students from Roebourne District High School with the Swans Elevate program.

Some students had never seen horses before.

Students learned about horsemanship, different rodeo events, and how to rope steers from national and state rodeo champions.

Swans Social Impact Manager Jimmy Westbrook said it was important to provide unique learning opportunities for students.

"It's something new, it's a different opportunity," he said.

"For us, it's finding the learning behind the scenes for them.

"They're out there working as a team, learning to introduce themself to new people, developing verbal communication skills and a whole bunch of out-of-the-classroom learning."

06/08/2025

Rio Tinto iron ore has proposed changes to its sick leave policy, cutting current workers' entitlements from three calendar months of sick leave per year to 12 days per year, according to the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU).

The AMWU says the revised policy includes:
• 10 days of sick leave, as per the National Employment Standards (NES)
• An additional 2 days per year, which will not accrue year-on-year
• A $1,000 annual payment in December, intended to support "wellness programs"

The changes are expected to come into effect later this year.

State Secretary of the AMWU, Steve McCartney, called the proposed changes a "disgrace".

"We can't understand a company making this much money every year, trying to take back simple things like their time away from work, possibly looking after their family or dealing with an illness," he said.

Mr McCartney said the sick leave includes both personal and carers leave.

"It just seems impractical and quite harsh to be honest."

Rio Tinto says its review of the sick and carer's leave policy is under review after feedback from its 'people survey'.

"The proposed changes are designed to ensure fairness for all employees.

"This includes up to 12 months of sick and carer’s leave at full pay, including allowances, in the event of serious illness or injury, which we believe would be industry leading."

Editor's note: the original post quoted the AMWU's claim the entitlement had reduced from 90 days to 12 days per year. This has been ammended to read three months, as per Rio Tinto's policy.

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06/08/2025

Two new cases of measles have been reported in WA, linked to cases identified in the Pilbara FIFO industry last month.

WA Health authorities are urging overseas travellers and fly-in fly-out workers to get vaccinated against the highly contagious disease.

Exposure sites include:
❌Newman airport on Sunday 20 July between 2:50 and 7:00pm
❌Qantas flight QF1711 from Newman to Perth on Sunday 20 July
❌Jetstar flight JQ108 from Perth to Bali on Tuesday 22 July
❌Jetstar flight JQ117 from Bali to Perth on Sunday 27 July

Read more from WA Health: https://www.health.wa.gov.au/News/2025/perth-and-pilbara-measles-alert-july

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05/08/2025

With housing linked to her violent ex-partner's employer, fleeing home left Tess Hulshoff and her kids with nowhere to go – a problem unique to Pilbara's "red dust homeless".

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With housing linked to her violent ex-partner's employer, fleeing home left Tess Hulshoff and her kids with nowhere to go — a problem unique to Pilbara's "red dust homeless".

05/08/2025

A FIFO flight heading to Boolgeeda airport, which services Rio Tinto's Brockman 4 minesite, was diverted to Perth this morning due to a technical issue.

Virgin Australia's flight 9235 left Albany at 7 o'clock this morning, and was due to arrive in Boolgeeda at shortly after 9.

But tracking information shows the flight switched directions and landed at Perth airport before 9 o'clock.

Perth Airport said the diversion was due to a technical issue with the aircraft, and said the plane landed without incident.

Virgin Australia spokesperson said all passengers will be accommodated on alternative flights this afternoon.

The aircraft was inspected by engineers in Perth, and the new flight to Boolgeeda will operated by a different aircraft.

Rio Tinto says it has not impacted its operations.

05/08/2025

The standard required for Year 12 students to pass ATAR subjects and achieve a WA Certificate of Education is lowered from a C to a D grade in a bid to encourage students to tackle harder subjects.

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The standard required for Year 12 students to pass ATAR subjects and achieve a WA Certificate of Education is lowered from a C to a D grade in a bid to encourage students to tackle harder subjects.

04/08/2025

A small pocket of Western Australia observes a public holiday one month before the rest of the state. But do they want to keep it that way?

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A small pocket of Western Australia observes a public holiday one month before the rest of the state. But do they want to keep it that way?

02/08/2025

Did you see the fog this morning?🌫️
Comment your snaps!

02/08/2025

Did you guess what this historic beach find was?

It's part of a pearl diver's leather boot and the Broome History Museum estimate it's over 100 years old!

🎧Listen back to Broome beachcomber Sharmaine Donnelly-Chorlton (scroll to 8:15am): https://www.abc.net.au/.../saturday-breakfast/105588660