Volunteering close to home: Huntly employees strengthening local communities

Around Huntly and the surrounding towns of Dwellingup, Jarrahdale and Mundijong, Alcoa employees are part of everyday community life. As neighbours, parents, volunteers and club members, they give their time and skills to local causes that matter to them and the people they live alongside.

From lending a hand at a local playgroup, to helping prepare community spaces and supporting food relief, Huntly employees continue to show that giving back isn’t separate from work – it’s part of life in the communities they call home.

Alcoa’s Huntly Mine Manager Emma Grundy explained that the region is more than just a place of work.

“This isn’t just where we work,” Emma said. “It’s where we live, where our families are, and where we want to make a difference.” 

Strengthening connections beyond the gate

Huntly’s volunteering efforts focus on practical, locally driven support across Alcoa’s communities in the Shire of Murray and the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale. Employees regularly come together as crews to support local clubs, organisations  and community groups, helping build stronger connections, wellbeing and resilience. 

Many volunteering opportunities are employee-led. In some cases, teams champion causes they are personally connected to, while in others, local organisations approach Alcoa seeking support for specific projects. The result is meaningful, hands-on support that responds directly to genuine community needs and priorities. 

Work crews consistently describe volunteering as something that not only benefits the community but also strengthens team morale and pride.

“Getting out there together reminds us why these places matter,” Emma said. “It brings the team closer and makes the work more rewarding.”

Giving back where it matters most

Huntly’s 2026 volunteering program kicked off with the Fixed Plant Crushing Crew kick supporting the Jarrahdale Playgroup ahead of its upcoming Open day. The team spent the day helping completing playground repairs, garden tidy‑ups, shed clear‑outs and general cleaning to create safer, more functional spaces for local families. 

Support from Cleanaway, which donated two skips for the clean‑up, helped maximise the impact. By the end of the day, the outdoor areas had been transformed and were ready to welcome the community.

Jarrahdale Playgroup President Sarah Harrower said the assistance made a significant difference during a busy period of preparation. For Crushing Crew member Brad Rose, the day was especially meaningful. Brad lives locally and attended the playgroup himself as a child.

“It was a great feeling to give back to a place that had been part of my childhood,” Brad said. 

In April 2026, the Mundijong Community Garden also  benefited from Huntly volunteers, with a Blast crew helping spread mulch and complete general maintenance ahead of the garden’s Open Day. The support followed a conversation between the garden’s organisers and Alcoa’s community team at a local pop‑up event, highlighting how community connections often lead directly to action. 

The same month, crews supported   the Dwellingup RSL, in preparing for upcoming ANZAC Day services by moving equipment, cleaning sheds and assisting with general maintenance. The work helped ensure the site was ready to welcome veterans, families and community members for an important local commemoration.

Small actions, real impact 

Huntly employees also supported local people through a Peel Foodbank drive led by Super intendent Mobile Maintenance, Natalie Ah Chee. Employees donated food and funds through a simple, employee‑led initiative, resulting in 80 kilograms of food collected – enough to help provide approximately 160 meals. 

“Sometimes it’s not about big projects,” Natalie said. “It’s just about showing up for people when they need it.” 

Being a good neighbour, every day 

While  National Volunteer Week in May provides an opportunity to recognise volunteers across Australia, Huntly employees demonstrate that community connection happens all year‑round. Their volunteering reflects a shared belief that small, everyday actions can make a real difference.

As neighbours and community members, Huntly Alcoans continue to live by a simple message: we live here, we work here, and we give back – because looking out for each other doesn’t stop at the gate.