The Rio Tinto Aboriginal Fund was established in 1996 as part of Rio Tinto's strategy of working in active partnership with Aboriginal people in Australia. The Fund is one of the ways Rio Tinto supports and engages with Aboriginal people. By predominantly concentrating on Aboriginal people and communities not directly affected by mining or exploration, the RTAF's activities complement the community capacity building work undertaken by the Rio Tinto business units in their regions.
The Rio Tinto Aboriginal Fund seeks to improve the status and build the capacity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities, predominantly through establishing and supporting programmes that deliver sustainable benefits to social wellbeing and economic participation.
The Fund supports initiatives across Australia, essentially in the areas of health, education, youth and leadership, social justice, and cultural celebration. Supported initiatives range widely in size, scope, location and timeframe. Programmes which are initiated by a community or community organisation are particularly valued.
The Fund operates independently of Rio Tinto and currently distributes A$1.8 million annually. Operational costs relating to the Fund are met separately by Rio Tinto. Since the Rio Tinto Aboriginal Fund was established in 1996, it has supported a large number of projects throughout Australia and has provided over A$15.3 million in funding.
The board members
The Fund has seven board members who meet to review proposals and allocate funding. Three board members are prominent members of the Aboriginal community who together provide a depth of knowledge and experience across Indigenous issues. The remaining board members are current or former Rio Tinto executives.
The Chairman
Mr Chris Renwick, former chief executive Rio Tinto Iron Ore, chairman Coal and Allied Pty Ltd.
Indigenous board members
Dr Sandra Eades
Tanya Hosch
Aden Ridgeway
Rio Tinto board members
Simon Nish
Fiona Nicholls
Joanne Farrell
Executive officer
Penny Jaski
