Living our purpose

Following the ‘My Day of Purpose’ campaign last year to celebrate our 150th anniversary, many colleagues across the world have continued their volunteering efforts.

Graham Donald, Technical Manager Weir Minerals Australia and a keen fisherman sails out on a mission to help scientists monitor the artificial reefs and any changes to the fish community located off the coast near his home at Port Geographe in the southwest of Western Australia.

Every month Graham sails out to the Dunsborough artificial reef to drop a baited video camera from his boat and records an hour of video footage for the Reef Vision Project. The footage collected by Graham and other volunteers is analysed by researchers from Murdoch University to see what species the artificial reefs are capable of supporting, and how their abundance and diversity changes as the reefs grow and develop.

Graham says: “As human populations grow, local fish populations come under stress, and it is important to control fishing and other activities to ensure a healthy and sustainable approach is maintained. Studies like this contribute to our understanding of fisheries and elements that can be put in place to safeguard and even boost populations of fish in depleted areas.”

For Graham volunteering is part of his way to give back to the community: “We do not live in isolation. We are a part of the community that we live in and benefit from it in so many ways. Previous to volunteering on the Reef Vision project, I lived in a rural location where I volunteered for 10 years as a general fire fighter and as the vehicle maintenance officer for my local bush fire brigade. When I moved to Busselton which is a coastal port, I joined the Reef Vision project so I could continue giving back in some capacity.

Over the course of the week, we will showcase inspiring volunteering stories from colleagues around Weir who are giving back to their communities and helping build a better world for tomorrow.