This year’s Resources Technology Showcase (RTS) 2021 saw more than 8,000 students, teachers and community members blaze through the whirlwind two-day exhibition, showcasing the latest technology and innovation driving the resources sector.
During an onsite interview with Seven West Media, Gold Industry Group (GIG) Executive Officer Rebecca Johnston shared the importance of supporting the RTS 2021 as a presenting partner.
“It’s really to inspire the next generation about Australia’s gold industry and the diverse career opportunities it offers,” said Ms Johnston.
AngloGold Ashanti Australia’s VP Corporate Affairs, Community & HR and GIG Director Andrea Maxey added that the event has been an amazing platform to showcase the role technology plays to inspire and prepare our future leaders.
“We think it’s a vital event to help children understand the technology that is used in mining and resources and all the opportunities available for them to have a career in mining,” said Ms Maxey.
Students, teachers, and members of the community rushed to the GIG’s exhibit to take on four action-packed interactive gold challenges.
Thousands of students took the Gold Jobs challenge to unearth a career in gold and were excited to receive a list of career options that might suit them in the gold industry based on their answers to the challenge.
Many students who had no idea what some of the jobs entailed were eager to ask GIG members at the exhibit.
Westgold Resources’ Executive Chairman and GIG Director Peter Cook assisted students at the Gold Jobs challenge, and shared with Seven West Media how proud he was to share his knowledge.
“The gold industry has been the backbone of the (West) Australian economy for more than a hundred fifty years so we’re here to teach people about what the gold industry is really about,” said Mr Cook.
Gold Fields Energy Manager and Superintendent: Environment and Community Ashleigh Shelton delivered ‘Green and Gold’, captivating attendees on renewables in gold winning the race at the RTS Centre Court on the first day of the event. Watch their Centre Court presentation.
‘Green and Gold’ was the inspiration for the Golden Flair challenge at the GIG booth where keen students explored alternative energy firsthand as they powered a mini car using batteries that they charged themselves from one of the wind turbines on display.
The GIG’s activities centred around gold education, with the Discover Gold challenge from the free Heart of Gold Australia app a hit, as attendees learnt about the many uses of gold in our lives, of which many weren’t aware of.
Regis Resources’ GM People and Capability Tim Conversi noted that the exhibit was an opportunity for the wider community to know more about gold.
“There are a number of interactive displays the kids can get involved in and see various elements of the gold industry that they might not be naturally aware of,” said Mr Conversi.
The Gold Rocks challenge highlighted the ‘Origins of Gold Specimens’ in the Gold Resources Kit, a free educational resource for teachers to supplement their students’ hands-on class activities to learn about geology, where gold is found and mined across Australia through the GIG’s National Gold Education Program.
Students and teachers were in awe of the rock samples on display and the materials available for them to order for free from the GIG’s website.
Gold Rocks Challenge Winners:
First Prize: 2x VIP tickets to a West Coast Fever home game - Georgia Gough (St Peter’s Primary School - Year 5)
Second Prize: Gold netball - Jessica McClain (Booragoon Primary School - Year 4)
Third Prize: Limited Edition Gold Fever hat - Stevan Bozic (Carine Senior High - Year 9)
In the lead up to RTS 2021, Seven West Media released a three-part Media Education series in partnership with GIG to share nuggets of information about technology in and around the gold industry.
More than 700 schools that ordered the education resources and booked an excursion to RTS 2021 entered the draw to win a class trip to Northern Star Resources’ Super Pit which 30 year 11 students from Woodvale Secondary College had won and flew out to Kalgoorlie for the excursion of a lifetime.
READ MORE EDUCATION, COMMUNITY, GIG AND MEMBER NEWS.
Some photos featured are courtesy of Seven West Media.