Laverton can now welcome ‘voluntourists’ thanks to new accommodation depot

• Glencore’s Minara Community Foundation and AngloGold Ashanti Australia (AGAA) contributed $140,000 to ensure the Laverton depot can house visiting volunteer ambulance officers.
• The brand-new two-bedroom accommodation block provides the opportunity for St John WA (SJWA) volunteers to visit the Goldfields outback town during the school holidays for free, including travel.
• SJWA’s Voluntourism program launched in 2020 and provides new opportunities for volunteers.

St John WA’s Laverton depot in the Goldfields has a brand-new accommodation building for ‘voluntourists’ thanks to $140,000 donated by Glencore’s Minara Community Foundation and AGAA.

SJWA’s Voluntourism program launched in 2020 and provides new opportunities for volunteer ambulance officers to travel and assist across different regions as a way of further developing skills and knowledge as part of their continuing desire to help regional communities flourish.

SJWA has 160 response locations across regional Western Australia covering the biggest footprint of any single ambulance service in the world — 2.5 million square kilometres.

It provides its volunteer team members across the state an opportunity to grow and develop through exposure to different challenges and requirements across geographic areas, with travel costs and accommodation included.

Laverton can house voluntourists during the school holidays, while their family immerses themselves in outback history, with a café, supermarket and town pool to unwind.

The brand-new, secure two-bedroom accommodation block is fully equipped, fitted with air conditioning throughout, including in each bedroom which are fitted with queen-size beds and bedding, while the lounge room is cozy with a TV and comfortable couches. There is also a spare vehicle for exploring the unique granite rock outcrops and mulga woodlands.

Adrian Herbert, General Manager of Glencore – Murrin Murrin Operations, said they were proud to support the work of local St John Volunteer Sub Centres.

“First responders play a crucial role in the health and safety of remote communities, often in challenging and high-pressure circumstances,” Mr Herbert said.

“Our partnership with St John spans some 13 years through support of the Laverton, Leonora and Menzies Sub-Centres. 

“We are pleased to assist the Laverton Sub Centre with the addition of the volunteers’ accommodation facility, to build capacity to continue doing their important work in the community.”

AngloGold Ashanti Australia VP: Sustainability Clair Brennan said AGAA had been operating in the Laverton community for more than 25 years and could not be prouder of our commitment to St John and the Laverton community.

“We look forward to continuing our work with St John and the Laverton community,” she said.

SJWA Social Sustainability Manager Angel Robins welcomed the donations.

“As a not-for-profit ambulance service founded on the spirit of volunteering for the greater good, St John WA couldn’t do the job we do without the generosity of Glencore and AngloGold Ashanti Australia supporting small remote response locations like Laverton,” said Ms Robins.

“In providing this great accommodation, it will not only attract voluntourists to the area but also give our volunteers somewhere to rest after long drives since their local depot can cover up to 180,000 square-kilometres.”

To partner with St John WA to help build resilient rural and remote communities visit: https://giving.stjohnwa.com.au/partnerships

Start the SJWA volunteer journey today.