The latest round of funding from Glencore’s Schools P&C Grants program has provided more than $270,000 for projects that address long-term needs of schools.

Students at Valkyrie State School in central Queensland will now have access to improved drinking water thanks to a $15,000 grant.

The school sought assistance with their Drinking Water Enhancement Project, which aims to deliver a solution to a long-term water problem.

The funding will enable the school to purchase and install SOURCE hydropanels and associated plumbing infrastructure that will enable water vapour to be extracted from the air and stored within a reservoir for use as potable drinking water.

Similar to solar panels, additional hydropanels can be added in the future to increase the capacity of onsite water generation to address future requirements.

“The school is 47 years old and we have never had a permanent water solution,” Valkyrie School P&C President Kristen Stevenson said.

“We’ve had a bad run with drought for six or seven years... we understand you need to drought-proof your property and that’s what we’re trying to do with the school - get permanent potable and non-potable water.

“This funding will ensure we have reliable, permanent drinking water for the kids and staff on site.”

A total of 21 grants were made during the current round of funding with projects ranging from the purchase of new technology, to installation of additional seating and sun-safe equipment, and noticeboard signage.

“It’s wonderful to be in a position to provide such a large number of schools with funding for key projects,” Glencore’s Community Relations Manager, Mr Craig Strudwick, said.

“These grants will enable each school to deliver on important or much-needed projects. This is exemplified with Valkyrie State School able to secure potable water.”

Of the 21 grants delivered, 13 were to schools in Queensland worth more than $162,000 with the remaining eight for schools based in New South Wales worth almost $110,000.

Across central Queensland:

• Clermont State High School received $20,000 for the construction of an outdoor shade structure.
• Orion State School received $14,000 to go towards building a shade structure over the school's tennis practice wall.
• Valkyrie State School will now have access to improved drinking water.
• Capella High School are also investing in technology with their $15,000 grant being used to assist in setting up their digital technology lab. This includes the purchase of 25 iPads.
• Springsure State School will use their $17,000 grant to upgrade technology including laptops, desktops and interactive panels.
• Saint John Bosco Catholic School are another with a need for new technology. Their $14,000 is being put towards the purchase of several iPads, HP Chromebook laptops and microphone systems which will allow all students to hear their teacher clearly whether in class or learning remotely.
• Nebo State School and Marian State School have put the $14,000 they have received towards the purchase of a digital sign.
• Clermont State School secured $15,449.10 to upgrade tuckshop kitchen equipment including the freezer, fridge, oven and dishwasher.
• Scottville State School have put the $5,931.50 they received towards activities for the Year 5-6 camp.
• Tieri State school will use their $2,503.80 to purchase an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) machine for the school office.
• Capella State High School will put their $2,500 towards funding the painting of an indigenous mural on the walls of the school building.

The full list of Queensland Schools P&C grants is:

For further information, please contact:

Nathan Ryan
m: +61 487 549 843
e: Nathan Ryan

Notes for editors

About Glencore

Glencore is one of the world’s largest global diversified natural resource companies and a major producer and marketer of more than 60 responsible-sourced commodities that advance everyday life. The Group's operations comprise around 150 mining and metallurgical sites and oil production assets.

With a strong footprint in over 35 countries in both established and emerging regions for natural resources, Glencore's industrial and marketing activities are supported by a global network of more than 30 marketing offices. Glencore's customers are industrial consumers, such as those in the automotive, steel, power generation and oil sectors. We also provide financing, logistics and other services to producers and consumers of commodities. Glencore's companies employ around 135,000 people, including contractors.

Glencore is proud to be a member of the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights and the International Council on Mining and Metals. We are an active participant in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative. Our ambition is to be a net zero total emissions company by 2050.

For more information, visit Glencore's website. 

About Glencore Australia

In Australia, Glencore produces coal, copper, cobalt, nickel, zinc, lead, silver and gold from 26 mining operations. We also operate metals processing assets in Queensland, New South Wales, Western Australia and the Northern Territory, including metals smelters, concentrators and refineries.

We are among Australia’s largest producers and marketers of natural resources, connecting Australian resources with industrial customers around the world. Through our diverse portfolio, we responsibly supply the resources that advance everyday life.

We employ 17,690 people in Australia and in 2020 contributed over $13.8 billion to the regional, state and national economies. This included spend of $9.5 billion with 7,890 businesses across the country, as well as $2.1 billion in government tax and royalty payments.

We are committed to providing a safe, inclusive and respectful workplace for our people, to respecting the environment, to engaging openly and constructively with the Traditional Owners on whose lands we operate and to bringing value to local communities.

Glencore recognises our responsibility to contribute to the global effort to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement. Our ambition is to be a net zero total emissions company by 2050. In August 2021 we increased our medium-term emission reduction target to a 50% reduction by 2035 and introduced a new short-term target of a 15% reduction by 2026.

Visit Glencore Australia's website to find out more.

About Glencore's coal business in Australia

Glencore is one of Australia's largest coal producers with 17 operational mines across New South Wales and Queensland.

We provide employment for almost 10,000 Australians and in 2020 managed the production of about 99 million tonnes of thermal and coking coal, predominantly for export.

We have a strong safety and environmental performance and play an active role in the development of low emission coal technology.