Log in
Media Statement
Immediate Release
Interview Opportunities: Foodbank WA CEO, Kate O’Hara and Cath MacDougall, Founder PPP
Foodbank WA helps power the journey to Dust Up
Foodbank WA is proud to be part of the Power Up 4 Dust Up program, bringing together students, volunteers and community participants from across Western Australia to prepare thousands of meals that will support the annual Dust Up Sports Carnival in the Ngaanyatjarra Lands.
The preparation for the event, held in Foodbank WA’s commercial kitchen, the creates a unique opportunity for young people from metropolitan and remote communities to connect through food, shared experiences and cultural exchange. The event continues through to The Dust Up Sports Carnival itself, which is a much-anticipated event that brings together more than 350 students and their communities from across the Central Desert to celebrate sport, culture, music and community connection.
This year marks a particularly meaningful milestone, with students from the Ngaanyatjarra Lands travelling to Perth and participating directly in the meal preparation process. Working alongside students, volunteers and community members, they will help prepare and package meals that will be transported to support the event, while also sharing stories about life in their communities and the importance of the Dust Up.
The program highlights the power of food to bring people together while providing valuable opportunities for learning, teamwork and cultural understanding. By working side by side in a commercial kitchen environment, participants gain practical skills while contributing to an initiative that supports young people living in remote Western Australia.
Foodbank WA CEO Kate O’Hara said the organisation was delighted to be involved in a program that creates meaningful connections and supports regional communities.
“Foodbank WA is incredibly proud to be part of the Power Up 4 Dust Up program and to welcome students from across Western Australia into our kitchen. Food has a unique ability to bring people together, and this initiative demonstrates that beautifully.”
“We are especially pleased to see students from the Ngaanyatjarra Lands joining us in Perth this year, sharing their stories and experiences while playing an active role in preparing meals that will support their communities. It is a wonderful example of connection, collaboration and young people learning from one another.”
“We are grateful to be part of an event that not only helps provide nutritious meals but also strengthens understanding, celebrates culture and creates lasting connections between communities across our state.”
Through collaboration, cultural exchange and a shared commitment to supporting young people, the Power Up 4 Dust Up program demonstrates how food can be a catalyst for connection and positive community impact.
Media contact:
Kath Robinson | Brand Manager
kath.robinson@foodbankwa.org.au
About Foodbank WA
Hello, we’re Foodbank WA. We believe everyone should have access to healthy food. There are Western Australians going without every day, and we are working hard to change that.
We provide food and groceries to those who struggle to afford them. We also deliver nutrition education to promote healthy eating and advocate on behalf of people that experience hunger and food insecurity.
We are here to support Western Australians in times of need. We do this through:
- Providing 9.3 million meals last financial year to those who were doing it tough
- Distributing food and groceries through 550 frontline charities
- Providing breakfast and fruit to 550 schools feeding 27,300 children weekly
- Delivering nutrition education attendances to over 6,546 children, adults and parents
We work with farmers, wholesalers, manufactures and retailers who donate and redirect surplus product to us. This also plays a vital role in tackling food waste and positively contributes to climate change by reducing CO2 emissions arising from landfill.
Our purpose is to Feed. Educate. Advocate.
