Rio Tinto partnership named national AbaF award finalist

16 October 2008

  Black Swan's Nancy Hackett (far left) and Pamela Foulkes (far right)  with Rio Tinto's Laurie Ball, Leanne Walsh, Sam Walsh at the awards. Rio Tinto and Black Swan State Theatre Company travelled to Melbourne to attend the National Australian Business Arts Foundation awards evening on 16 October. Black Swan and Rio Tinto were shortlisted for the Bytecraft Entertainment Commitment Award in recognition of their ten year partnership, supporting regional touring growth while generating new theatre audiences in Perth.

The partners share a goal of furthering cultural and economic development in Western Australia.  For Black Swan the partnership has allowed the theatre company to expand the range and quality of its productions, and has supported its transition to the state flagship theatre company; attracting new audiences and corporate partners.  For Rio Tinto partnering with Black Swan has strong stakeholder relations benefits, ensures Western Australian stories are developed and celebrated.

"As the third largest employer in Western Australia, and in this current era of critical skills shortage, Rio Tinto has a vested interest in ensuring Western Australia becomes a destination of choice and is considered a desirable place to live and work," said Sam Walsh, chief executive, Rio Tinto Iron Ore.

Although Rio Tinto was pipped at the post by the WASO Ernst and Young 13 year partnership to deliver Pops in the Park, the night was a great celebration of successful business and arts partnerships across the nation.  WA again proved a dominating force, taking out four of the awards.