When Jessie Gatehouse moved to Port Hedland six months ago, she was looking for more than just a new role. She was looking for a way to contribute to the region she now calls home.
As a Project Officer with the Local Buying Foundation, Jessie works with businesses, community organisations and project partners across Western Australia and South Australia to turn local ideas into meaningful outcomes. It’s a role that combines many of the things she cares most about: community development, regional economic growth, relationship-building and supporting projects that make a difference.
“It gave me a tangible opportunity to contribute to the region I now call home,” Jessie said.
Jessie’s career has always been grounded in community. She began in local government, working across community development, grants, events, volunteering and place-based initiatives before moving into the Aboriginal community-controlled sector, where she partnered with families, Elders and service providers across the Pilbara.
Those experiences helped shape her belief that the best outcomes come from communities leading their own solutions. One experience that stands out is spending two weeks in the remote community of Bidyadanga supporting activities for Aboriginal children and young people.
“It was incredibly meaningful to see the community come together to create opportunities for young people to connect, participate and celebrate their culture,” she said. “The experience reinforced my passion for work that builds on local knowledge, relationships and aspirations.” That same belief is what Jessie enjoys most about working with regional businesses and communities today.
“In regional areas, people genuinely come together to support one another and make things happen,” she said. “When challenges arise, people don’t sit back and wait for someone else to solve the issue. Businesses, organisations and community members work together to find practical solutions and turn ideas into reality.”
Now based in the Pilbara, Jessie has quickly developed a deep appreciation for the region and the people who call it home. “The people are definitely what I love most about the Pilbara,” she said. “I’ve met so many kind, welcoming and passionate people who genuinely care about their community and are always willing to lend a hand.”
Outside of work, Jessie enjoys exploring the region’s stunning landscapes, camping along the coast and learning more about the rich Aboriginal cultures that make the Pilbara so unique. One local organisation that particularly inspires her is Spinifex Hill Studio in South Hedland. “I love seeing the incredible work created by local Aboriginal artists, with each piece sharing its own story and connection to culture and Country,” she said. “It’s a welcoming space that celebrates local talent and creates meaningful opportunities for artists to grow and share their work.”
And for anyone visiting the Pilbara for the first time, Jessie has one recommendation. “Go and see the Staircase to the Moon at Cooke Point Reserve,” she said.”It’s one of the most magical experiences you’ll ever see and a reminder of just how special the Pilbara really is.”
For Jessie, that sense of connection, pride and community is what makes the region such a rewarding place to live and work, and why she is passionate about supporting projects that help local communities grow.