For over a century Muswellbrook Coal Mine has been contributing to the Muswellbrook community. With the mine closing later this year they are commemorating the end of an era.
Muswellbrook Coal Company (MCC) are hosting a Community Day on Saturday May 28 at the Muswellbrook Race Club and are inviting the community to come along and celebrate their 115 years of proud mining history.
It will be an opportunity for all their employees and the wider community to come together and reflect on what they have achieved over the life of the mine.
MCC General Manager Grant Clouten said the closure of a mine that has been operating for 115 years is a momentous occasion and one they see as a reason to celebrate.
“We have been part of the community for so long. We have families in our workforce spanning three generations and that builds strong ties within the community. This event will be about celebrating those connections,” Grant said.
“On the day we will be showcasing our long history and will have memorabilia of Muswellbrook Coal on display which the Historic Society are assisting with. There will also be bus tours out to the mine.”
The event is also about recognising the community groups and industry partners that MCC have been proud to work with over the years. In attendance will be partners such as Hitachi, Tutt Bryant, WesTrac, Upper Hunter Mining Dialogue, NSW Minerals Council, Westpac Rescue Helicopter, Muscle Creek Fire Brigade and Mines Rescue.
The event will begin at 10:00am for employees and their families and then it will be open from 11:30am to the public, and everyone in the community are welcome to attend.
The entire event is free, including all food and drinks and delicious treats such as fairy floss, snow cones and an icecream van. It is a non-alcoholic event.
There will also be plenty of activities to enjoy. Kyda Rock will be providing live music, ABC Jumping Castles will be on hand to keep the kids jumping with joy, plus lots of other fun activities such as face painting and a kids colouring in competition.
MCC is scheduled to finish mining in July and all mine operations to be completed by September. Next year will see them move into an extensive rehabilitation phase.
Grant concludes, “This community day is a chance for everyone to come together for one last time and celebrate the contribution the mine has made for 115 years to the Muswellbrook community.”
