Australia-wide student and mentor celebration for GFG Foundation

7 November, 2024

2024 programme another huge success

8 November 2024

The GFG Foundation has celebrated another hugely successful year in Australia with showcase celebration events across its LIBERTY Primary Metals Australia (LPMA) and InfraBuild operational sites.

More than 220 students completed the 2024 GFG Foundation programme in Whyalla in South Australia (LIBERTY Primary Steel and SIMEC Mining), Tahmoor in New South Wales (Tahmoor Coking Coal), George Town in Tasmania (LIBERTY Bell Bay), Newcastle in New South Wales (InfraBuild) and Brisbane in Queensland (InfraBuild).

Just by signing up for the GFG Foundation, these students made the first step outside their comfort zone and the first step towards better opportunities in the workforce and life
Australia Chief Operating Officer Jonny Samengo

Global General Manager of the GFG Foundation, Georgina Crumpton paid tribute to every student, mentor and coordinator. As part of the worldwide GFG Foundation initiative, more than 10,000 students have now graduated from the programme involving more than 240 mentors, employees who give up their time to teach and be role models for students in the region they work and live.

“I’m very proud of every student, mentor and coordinator involved in the programme,” Georgina said.

“It is a programme with a special focus on enhancing technical and practical skills with a special focus on personal development, teamwork and confidence.

“Every student has shown respect for their mentors, to each other and the school environment by embracing the best self-guiding principles to be job-ready with transferable skills in life … the embodiment of the GFG Foundation.”

Georgina also thanked the GFG Foundation’s partners, the King’s Trust and CSIRO which provides education specialists who help deliver the programme. CSIRO educators in the programme include Carol Rance in Whyalla, Axel Steigler-Russell at Tahmoor, Scott Philip at George Town, Noel Hoopai in Newcastle and Lisa Brindley in Brisbane.

In Whyalla, Georgina gave special mention to mentors Annette Jacobs and Angie Stokes who have been with the programme since inception in 2019 but are now moving on to new careers outside of GFG.

“Our mentors have, collectively, contributed more than 32,500 hours of their own time,” Georgina said.

“Not only is this a great thing for our students to work and have a relationship with an adult other than their parents, this programme is a great opportunity for mentors to develop their own strengths while enhancing their own lives.”

Chief Operating Officer for the Australian GFG Foundation programme, Jonny Samengo congratulated all students for making the first step in their life journey outside of school.

“Just by signing up for the GFG Foundation, these students made the first step outside their comfort zone and the first step towards better opportunities in the workforce and life,” Jonny said.

“By doing this programme they have gained a very valuable edge that will help them identify those opportunities going forward.”

Every student has shown respect for their mentors, to each other and the school environment by embracing the best self-guiding principles to be job-ready with transferable skills in life … the embodiment of the GFG Foundation
Global General Manager of the GFG Foundation Georgina Crumpton

Main picture: GFG Foundation mentors from Tahmoor celebrate the programme’s success. Middle right: Big crowds, like this one in Whyalla, were present for the GFG Foundation Showcases throughout Australia. Above right: Jonny Samengo, Georgina Crumpton and Scarlett Burns (GFG Foundation Australian Coordinator) at the Whyalla Showcase.