And what a day it was! More than 100 passionate cyclists took part across four distances, including the challenging 80km and 100km rides, in an unforgettable display of determination and heart. 

From 10km to 100km, riders of all levels took to the coast with one shared goal – to make a difference. Every kilometre ridden raised vital funds and awareness for Foodbank WA and three other deserving charities. Thanks to this incredible effort, more Western Australians doing it tough will receive the food relief they need.

Some rode in memory of loved ones, others rode for the joy of giving back. But every pedal stroke sent a powerful message – together we can make a difference.

This event, expertly managed by the Perth Integrated Events Team, reminded us that strength is found in unity.

To help riders refuel, we provided snacks at Yanchep, the turnaround point for the 80km and 100km riders. Our stall featured Foodbank branded shopping bags, Hunger Ghrelins toykits, Coco Loco Balls, premade Choc Amazeballs and Christmas cards. We made sure it was a fun day for all ages with a temporary tattoo and colouring-in stations, while also doing our bit for the environment with a Containers for Change bucket on site too.

It was a fantastic opportunity to connect with the community and raise awareness about our mission to fight hunger in Western Australia.

Thank you Perth Integrated Events. Together, we’ve proven that when community rallies behind a cause, amazing things happen. 

Starting closest to home, the partnership will facilitate expansion into Wiluna and Leonora which will build on existing partnerships with AngloGold Ashanti, Murrin Murrin Operations, and Genesis Minerals to support communities across Leanora, Laverton and Mount Margaret in the Goldfields region which has already had demonstrated, measurable impact.

This expanded support will see Northern Star Resources increase current sponsorship by $50K over two years which will enable us to deliver culturally appropriate food and hygiene support to vulnerable households in Wiluna and Leonora, in collaboration with local charity partners. The project sees us moving away from the traditional hamper style approach the region has seen in the past and provides individuals choice of products they need promoting dignity-based access which improves community wellbeing and strengthens local capacity.

Northern Star’s investment will directly respond to the glaring issue of food insecurity, particularly among Aboriginal families and low-income households in the Goldfields region which have limited access to fresh and culturally appropriate food; face social isolation, especially among elderly and remote residents, and those facing almost out of control cost-of-living pressures and rising health-related issues by delivering targeted food relief, hygiene support and community engagement programs.

Northern Star’s commitment to Community and Regional Resilience, Health and Wellness, and Indigenous Advancement is further reflected in another project in Port Hedland in the Pilbara region.

It has long been known that food security is a persistent problem in the Pilbara region. Expansive distances create a huge barrier for food relief and food availability, not to mention that the cost of a basic food basket can be up to 26% higher in remote areas.   

Thanks to vital funding of $17K from Northern Star Resources, and in collaboration with Bloodwood Tree, we will be able to provide culturally appropriate food needed by the community at lower prices. TGE (one of our generous transport partners) have in principle agreed to support the freight costs of dry goods, making this project even more impactful.

These alliances means that together we can enhance the existing food relief services provided for at-risk Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals in Port Hedland.

Bloodwood Tree have placed their first order with us and expect to have it delivered ahead of the festive season. The items will be tailored to the nutritional and cultural needs of the local community and will benefit the community by addressing food insecurity head-on. There are also plans to expand the range to chilled products

The sponsorship from Northern Star will match the value of Bloodwood Tree’s food purchase, effectively doubling the quantity of food available for distribution for individuals and families struggling with food insecurity.

The community benefits include direct and targeted food provision to improve the wellbeing for families experiencing hardship and support for Bloodwood Tree’s existing wraparound services, including monthly community BBQs, nutrition education and culturally sensitive outreach.

The initiative will also strengthen local partnerships and trust-based relationships between local service providers and the community.

This initiative is a testament to Northern Star’s commitment to long-term, values-driven community investment and delivers tangible outcomes that improve the health, dignity, and resilience of the Port Hedland community.

Thank you Northern Star Resources, our Kalgoorlie Branch sponsor, together we can make a difference to the many vulnerable people across our wide state. 

With the match ending so swiftly (sorry, England), Theme Group and Optus Stadium suddenly found itself with a mountain of perfectly good, unused food that was destined for hungry crowds who… well… didn’t get the chance to be hungry for very long. Rather than let anything go to waste, the stadium team swung into action and generously donated the surplus straight to Foodbank WA.

And just like the Aussie batting lineup – we made good use of every opportunity.

Thanks to the donation countless households and charity partners across the metro area received high-quality ingredients and fresh meal components. This included 576kg of fresh vegetables (a mixture of bulk and individual portions) meaning households had access to delicious pre-cut and ready to eat. We were also lucky to receive an array of delicious sandwiches – 220kg to be exact; a pallet of ready to eat meals, including delicious penne carbonara and small containers of ready to eat cheese platters.

Our Community Kitchen here in Perth received a load (14 pallets!) of fresh high-quality vegetables to turn into healthy meals which will be distributed across our six branches and 70 Foodbank mobile locations. This portion of the donation alone equates to 1,238 healthy meals. Half a pallet of the fresh vegetables was also sent to our Peel branch, delighting customers.

Perhaps most impressively, we got 5,200kg or six pallets of much-needed fresh milk – 5 pallets stayed in Perth to cater for the high demand; with a pallet also sent to Geraldton – where reliable supply can be harder to get than English runs in Perth.

All up the impressive donation totalled 6,146kg which equates to an incredible 3,411 meals which would have otherwise ended up in landfill and not ended up on a table of those most vulnerable in our community.

This unexpected food windfall turned a historic cricket moment into meaningful impact for communities right across WA. A huge thank you to Theme Group and Optus Stadium and their partners for hitting this one out of the ground – proof that even a two-day Test can deliver big results off the field.

What started as a practical program to help prepare healthy family meals on a budget quickly became a catalyst for laughter, learning, and lasting change at home.

Summing up her nom! Children program experience and which of the five sessions she liked most, Kristina said, “All of them. I got something out of each session.” Each class offered something valuable – whether it was learning the nutrition and cost benefits of homemade food over packaged options, discovering cost-effective cooking methods, or realising that healthy meals don’t have to compromise taste. “I learnt a lot. I was excited to attend the next class each week – I actually looked forward to Friday, and not because the weekend followed!” A simple example was turning wraps into nachos, a delicious and budget-friendly twist that surprised everyone. 

Kristina said the program didn’t just change what was on the plate – it changed how her family now connects. “It’s made me second guess my choices. I’m preparing more cost-effective and healthier options. I’m providing more family-friendly environments when eating. Now, I create more shared dishes so the kids can serve themselves, sparking conversations about food and life. Dinner time is more engaging and we are all trying new foods we wouldn’t have normally thanks to nom!”. With feedback like this, it’s clear to see that families are discovering that enjoyable meals don’t have to cost the world, and that trying new foods can be fun.

Kristina described the program as fun, welcoming, and inspiring. “What didn’t I enjoy? I enjoyed it all – laughter, learning, fun, food, teacher, environment. Knowing that my daughter was safe while I learnt to provide a healthier lifestyle.” the facilitators created an environment where everyone felt comfortable sharing ideas and learning together. “Let’s be honest, we were loud, and all had so many opinions. Jasmin The facilitator kept us all together and taught the best class.” Even when opinions differed, everyone had a voice, creating a sense of community and shared learning.

The impact goes beyond the classroom. “Yes!! We are eating healthier and more cost-effective, but it is a work in progress. I will continue to implement what I’ve learnt over the weeks I attended.” Kristina said her family is experimenting with new ingredients and teaching her children to embrace variety which has encouraged them to try new foods. “This has been the best class. We couldn’t have asked for anything more – except maybe a few extra sessions. I didn’t want it to end.” Kristina concluded. The combination of the creche for kids and engaging classes for parents created a unique experience topped off with an opportunity to sit down together to enjoy the food prepared during class made for the perfect recipe for success for Kristina.

Foodbank WA’s nom! Children Program is making a real, tangible difference in the lives of families with young children aged 0-5 years. Designed to empower parents with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to create nutritious meals, the program ensures children get the best start in life. It aligns with our strategic aim to empower people through education, giving families practical tools to plan and prepare healthy meals on a budget. This initiative is proudly supported through the collective generosity of Hancock Iron Ore, Hawaiian, and Channel 7 Telethon Trust.

Our nom! Children Program isn’t just about food – it’s about family, community, and creating healthier habits that last helping to give WA children the best start in life.