If you have an upcoming community event you'd like promoted through Pilbara Health, please give us a call or send us an email at health@riotinto.com with all the details.
Rio Tinto’s finest were out in force on December 3 2006 taking part in the annual Ironman Western Australia Triathlon coming a formidable 3rd out of 26 in the mixed team category.
Melissa Cundy from Expansion Projects, Alwyn Vorster from Marketing and Fanie Wessels from Pilbara Iron ResourceDevelopment, carried the flag on the day.
Each completed a leg of the distance with Melissa tackling the 3.8km swim course, Alwyn cycling the 180.2km bike course, and Fanie taking on the 42.2km running course.
The John Maclean Foundation run this special event in conjunction with Ironman Western Australia, and the Busselton Ironman is the only event in the world that has a teams component, putting it in a class of its own. Well done to our Ironmen and woman!
A rainshower or two didn’t deter the Tom Price and Paraburdoo communities from turning out in force to enjoy the annual Picnic Days in October.
Fun was had by all with the Pilbara Health crew there to share an important message about healthy bones.
To reduce your chances of developing conditions such as osteoporosis, ensure you have the recommended daily intake of calcium and vitamin D, do regular, weight-bearing exercises and avoid smoking and alcohol. Calcium rich smoothies, like those on offer at the Picnic Days, are a great way to get the nutrients you need.
Pilbara Health facilitator Elaine Kennedy said, “Keeping yourself fit and healthy, by including resistance training into your workouts, is essential for developing a good base of strength to carry out your daily work.”
Osteoporosis, which means porous bone, is a disease in which the density and quality of bones are reduced and the likelihood of serious fractures is increased. The incidence of fractures also increases with age and affects both women and men. The loss of bone often occurs without any warning signs until the bone fractures, commonly at the hip, spine or wrist.
West Angeles Rescue Team mascot Pumba the WARThog (below) was a big hit at this year’s Emergency Skills Challenge in Exmouth as ten top Pilbara Iron teams vied for first place honours.
Approximately two hundred and fifty participants, families, managersand employees saw Tom Price take out the Managing Director’s Award for top team with Cape Lambert coming in second and Pannawonica making up the top three.
Pilbara Iron risk and emergency management advisor Eddie Coyle said, “It was great to see the teams put in 100% effort over the two day event. The Challenge is an excellent way to get Pilbara Iron’s emergency response teams together, do some intense training and have fun at the same time. "It was really great to see Rio Tinto Minerals’ Lake MacLeod team participate. The event was a huge success all round," said Eddie. After a close fight to the finish, only 7% separated the top five teams with Lake MacLeod taking home the Encouragement Award.Next year’s Challenge is already in the planning stages and will be held in Exmouth at the end of October 2007.
The community was treated to sideshows, novelty games and races, art and craft exhibits and spectacular fireworks displays.
This year, Pilbara Health hosted some great cooking demo's promoting healthy eating and proving just how quick and easy cooking with lots of vegies can be. One Pilbara Health reader complimented the team on the fabulous fruit smoothies loved by all the family.
Free blood pressure and skin cancer checks were on offer conducted by Prime Health’s Dr. June Sims.
All in all, the festival was a great success and the Pilbara Health Team was proud to play a part. Make sure you visit us at the Picnic Days in October.
Pilbara Iron’s Manager of Corporate Health and Safety Mark Slater, front left, and HSE divisional secretary Ruth Jamieson, front centre, enjoy setting a healthy example.
The pair are both members of Team Rio Tinto which is one of more than 50 squads that regularly compete in recreational events sponsored by the Cyclo Sportif cycling club. Riders interested in joining the team should contact Peter.Mah@riotinto.com.
More than 180 energetic Rio Tinto employees lined up in a field of over 1420 triathletes in the annual BP Ultimate/BRW Corporate triathlon, in Perth last month.
Rio Tinto certainly made its presence felt, with 21 teams participating in the Relay and 39 teams in the Sprint.
Congratulations to everyone who took part; improving their fitness while enjoying the scenic river foreshore. Special mention for these outstanding efforts:Corporate Mixed category – Team relay1st Mike Haederle, Renette Clementson and Ian Thompson2nd Melissa Cundy, Carl Andrews and Chris BreaueCorporate Male – Sprint event2nd Andrew Thomson, Andrew Haskins and Brock ThomsonCorporate Mixed category - Sprint event2nd Andrew White, Elena Zuvela and Michael Whitehead
Thinking about doing the City to Surf? Want to improve your times? Are you a novice who’d like to give running a try?
If so, call your nearest gym or Healthy Lifestyle Centre for a customised training program, or visit our Fitness and Nutrition section for some warm-ups, cool-downs and strengthening exercises.
The tribute was presented by Pilbara Iron’s General Manager of Health, Safety and Environment Allan Jackson, at a function acknowledging the outstanding suppliers of 2005.
Trained in the Royal Navy, Dr Marsden assists in the rehabilitation of injured workers, provides general patient consultations and expert advice to other health professionals on site.
“Most people on workers’ compensation want to get back to work and it is a big plus to get them to understand what is going on in their bodies,” he said
“I get a tremendous sense of pleasure when someone leaves my office and says: ‘You are the first person who has talked through the x-rays with me in terms that I can understand’.”
A special health and safety category was created to recognise Dr Marsden who supports PIlbara Iron's injury management and emergency response teams, provides specialist advice on fitness for work issues, medical treatment and first aid.
He was nominated by Dampier Injury Management Advisor Weng Ho. “At all times, Dr Marsden has shown business integrity, medical confidentiality, medical excellence, loyalty, fairness and a genuine concern and caring for those people who pass his way,” Allan Jackson said.
An enthusiastic band of Dampier runners is looking for a team name and new members to join their group.
The group meet at 6pm every Monday evening for a walk, jog or maybe a run against the picturesque backdrop ofHampton Sailing Club.
According to coordinator, and avid fitness enthusiast Garry Bruce, Dampier’s social group have gathered together on and off for the past ten years.
“Members turn up whenever they can and we often have employees from other companies, as well as staff from the schools and hospitals. It is a great way to meet people,” said Garry who is a mainline supervisor with Pilbara Iron’s Railways Division.
“You don’t have to be a star athlete to join in or want to race. It is fine just to walk or jog - whatever you feel comfortable doing.”
"If you play squash, tennis, footy, netball, softball, soccer or just want to get a bit fitter, come down and be active. Everyone is welcome - the more the merrier."
If you can think of an inspiring name for our Dampier runners, please email your suggestions to health@riotinto.com and we will be happy to pass them on.
This handcrafted rose quartz necklace is one creative way Louise Ranger has chosen to do her bit to fight breast cancer.
When she is not at work in Pilbara Iron's Finance Department, Louise is threading silver wire and gemstones with the aim of raising $1000 for charity over the next two months.
The exclusive necklace is part of a range of jewellery designs by Louise which feature different gemstones, reputed to have healing properties.
"I chose rose quartz for women because it attracts love and happiness and is a nice motherly kind of stone which suits the breast cancer philosophy,” Louise said.
"Other stones have different energies, like flourite which is good for your memory, or amethyst which has healing properties when you are feeling sick.”
Breast cancer is the major cause of cancer death in Australian women accounting for more than 11,700 new cases and 2,600 deaths each year. While the number of cases continues to rise, survival rates are also improving dramatically with enhancements in research and treatment. The Breast Cancer Foundation will receive $7.50 from every rose quartz necklace Louise sells. Order online at www.louiseranger.com.
Cancer awareness was the feature topic in the Pilbara Health calendar last month. For more information, download the January information pack.
The happy crew below from Pilbara Iron and Rio Tinto are a familiar sight in central Perth every Friday morning. After an 11.5km lope around the bridges, they head to their favourite café for a well-earned breakfast treat.
Photo courtesy of special correspondent Rod Davies.
Pictured here on their last run before Christmas are, from left, Prue “In Off” Brown, Martine “Marty” Nield, Allan “Achilles” Jackson, Mark “Swinger” Slater, Raelene “Legs” Beecher, Glen “Greeny” Green, Julian “Jules Verne” Leach, Zanda “Gazelle” Cameron, and Damon “Specs” Ezekiel.
If you are based in Perth, or flying in from site, feel free to join the team at La Via Café in St Georges Terrace, any Friday at 6am.
Pilbara Iron enthusiasts donned their sunhats and runners and set out to pit themselves against the elements in the inaugural Millstream rogaine.
Sponsored by Pilbara Iron, the orienteering event was organised by train controller David Westley and attracted 94 competitors in 29 teams.
Generation Operations Superintendent Andrew Nuttman, formed a team with his son Thomas, Chris and Dave Scott and Dave Ellis.
The team finished eighth overall with 1340 points, after covering approximately 20km and reaching 23 control points.
“It was a great event and certainly a different way of sightseeing around the Millstream National Park,” said Andrew.
Rogaining is the sport of cross country navigation. The competition involves teams of two to five members who travel on foot, using maps and compasses to navigate between checkpoints.
Although the first Pilbara rogaine was only six hours long, a traditional event usually runs for 24 hours and a central base camp is set up so teams can return at any time to rest.
Why not try a family outing with a difference or get your mates together for a big day out? Further rogaines are planned in the North West, during the cooler months of 2006 so keep an eye on the website at www.karratha.com/nwrogaining for details.
The pair were competing in the 12th Annual Police Legacy relay with 20 other riders in two teams. They finished in the second fastest time ever, of 27.5 hours, just 90 minutes behind the race record.
The challenge is a gruelling test of guts and determination which raises more than $30,000 annually. Contestants have to cope with sleep deprivation, prevailing headwinds and a cracking pace set by the front runners who reach speeds of more than 40 kilometres per hour.
It has been almost a year since Phil began training to win his national Men’s Health Fitness Challenge title and he still finds time to work at his fitness aiming for five bike rides and four sessions in the gym every week.
"There are times when I don't feel like exercising but it is always easy once you get started," he said. "You don’t have to be a super athlete to enjoy the health benefits of improved fitness."
Six hard months of training and plenty of raw courage saw Melissa complete the 3.8km swim, 180.2km cycle race and 42.2km run in one day at a time of 13hours.
Melissa said she made it to the starting line at in the fittest state she had ever been: “I even managed to keep the nerves pretty well under control so that by the time I got in the water to begin the swim, I was actually quite looking forward to the very long day ahead.”
With 1552 competitors in the water, the start was congested, she said. “It was a nightmare, every time you raised your arm you hit someone.”
“Having come out of the swim well up in the field, I then had the somewhat dubious pleasure of watching the majority of the competitors pass me on the bike. But not to worry, it was never going to be any different and as everyone says for such a long race, you've can’t worry about what others are doing but just concentrate on your own race, which I did.
“I was very happy to get to the bike-to-run transition and to finally get off my bike, since as much as I love it, 180kms together that day was more than enough!
Melissa said the marathon went well – “not exactly speedy but I managed to just keep putting one foot in front of the other”.
“After what seemed like an eternity, the first lap of the run was out of the way and I actually started to feel that I might actually make it to the finish line”.
My favourite quote from one of the fabulous people cheering me on was "go girl, just think of all those men behind you that you're going to beat!" which made me laugh and definitely kept me shuffling forward.
”I got to the finish line 13hours and 2 seconds after the starting gun was fired, not exactly in the running for any medals (the fastest woman finished the race in 9 hours and 13 minutes) but I wasn't doing it to win. I just wanted to see if I could get to the finish line and the atmosphere running down that finishing chute was absolutely incredible and when I finally heard the announcer say "Melissa Cundy YOU are an Ironman" I felt pretty darn proud of myself.”
See Melissa cross the finish line at www.global-pix.com.
Pilbara Rail train controller David Westley was so intrigued by thesport of cross country navigation that he volunteered to organisethe inaugural Pilbara rogaine, on Saturday, August 6. The competitioninvolves teams of two to five members who travel on foot, using maps and compasses to navigate between checkpoints.
Although the first Pilbara rogaine will be 6 hours long, the classic competition is a twenty-four hour over-night event. Rogaining is a great activity for people of all ages and fitness levels. A central base camp is available so teams can return at any time to rest. Look for the details online at www.karratha.com/nwrogaining