Community giving continues strong in 2022
Mining Energy Members have continued a long tradition of generous community giving this year. Our Union has often been at the centre of coal mining communities, and our Districts work in close partnership with their local communities.
Here are just a few of the great causes our members have supported in 2022:
RACQ Rescue Helicopters Mackay
The RACQ Rescue Helicopter is a community-funded rescue helicopter which provides a lifeline for those who need it across Central and North Queensland. Our Union has long supported the helicopter, and this year a cheque for $10,000 was presented by Matt Beattie and Shane Bird on behalf of the Hay Point Lodge, to help with their life saving work.
Big support for local schools
Across our Districts, Members have supported local schools by providing donations worth up to thousands of dollars each.
Some local schools that received support from our Districts include Blackwater North State School, Moranbah North State School, Maffra Secondary College, Baringa Special School, Drouin Secondary College, Mirboo North Secondary College, Mount Beauty Secondary College, Warragul Regional College, Trafalgar High School, Traralgon Secondary College, Lowanna College, Kurnai College, Tieri State School and more.
The Mineworkers Trust
The Mineworkers Trust has provided $200,000 for Mates in Mining to support mental health for mineworkers as well as providing 20 scholarships worth $7,000 each for Members or families to help fund higher education.Hayley Smyth was one of the recipients of the scholarship in 2022. The scholarship meant she could pay her study fees upfront for her graduate certificate in Critical Care Nursing, which has contributed to her ongoing education and development as a Critical Care Nurse.
Looking after the health of our communities
The NSW Northern Mining and NSW Energy District continued its strong support for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service, with members contributing some $1 million through payroll deductions.
This is in addition to their contributions of over $150,000 to various charities including Ronald McDonald House Northern NSW, Westpac – Variety the Children’s Charity, Calvary Mater Oncology, Lifeline Australia, Red Nose, CanTeen Hunter Northern NSW Division and more.
One of our Members in the Northern District, Garry Schumertl, shaved his head for Mates in Mining which is a suicide prevention charity for workers in mining and construction. The Lodge donated $500 for the cause.
Our Queensland District also provided a donation of $5,000 to Queensland Resources Dust Disease Support Group which provides support for members suffering from dust-related illnesses.
Preserving our History
Our Union places a great deal of importance on commemorating events that are significant to our members, whether those events be memorials, key historical dates or anniversary celebrations.
This year, our Queensland District provided over $30,000 for events such as the Collinsville Coal Mining Heritage Centre Group, the Box Flat 50-year commemoration event, and the Miners Memorial in Moranbah.
Ongoing support for Members
In 2022 Mining and Energy Lodges have also donated to countless individual families in hardship, whether to help fund medical treatment or to assist with costs associated with bereavement.
“Across towns in Australia, community and industrial activism often go hand in hand, and we’d like to thank our Members and Districts for their continuing support for their local communities and their generosity in 2022,” said General Secretary Grahame Kelly.