Coal Australia’s purpose is to promote the significant and positive contribution of the Australian coal industry and to provide a voice for its people. People like Jet Group CEO Pat McCoy.

Pat is one of the thousands of Australians who have signed up to Coal Australia and is proudly sharing his story to support the cause.

“The coal industry has been providing for my family for four generations.

“My grandfather, father, my two nephews and myself have all worked in the coal mining industry and so I am very passionate about supporting the industry that provides so much not just to my family but to all Australians.”

Pat’s grandfather was a gold miner in the Miclere area near Clermont before starting at Blair Athol Coal and Timber Company in 1951 where he stayed until retirement in 1978. Pat’s father started at Blair Athol in 1974, then moved to Goonyella where he stayed until retirement in 2009, and Pat started his apprenticeship in 1996 at Goonyella.

“I have been in the industry ever since then, working across NSW and QLD in both open cut and underground and I am currently the CEO of JET Group based out of Mackay.

“My sisters have both worked in the coal industry at different stages of their lives, my brother-in-law currently works at Peak Downs along with his son, and one of my nephews also works at Goonyella.

“A highlight for me was my son completing work experience at JET last week and getting his first taste of the industry.”

While most people understand the importance of the coal mining industry’s contribution to the Australian economy in terms of jobs and revenue and the critical role it plays in providing the electricity we need for homes and the materials we need for construction and manufacturing, what’s less known is the indirect support it provides to communities right across Australia.

“JET Group is a massive supporter of our community. From sporting events such as being the naming rights sponsor of the Teri and Clermont Pro-Am and the Dysart/Moranbah Junior Golf Classic, to helping out local groups like Black Dog, Mackay Junior Sports, Peak Downs Pirates and Mackay Cutters.

“We are also involved in a Life Skills program that is being offered to schools, bringing students into our Jet Auto and Mechanical workshop as they are learning to drive and giving them free training on the basics of owning a car like checking fluid levels, battery condition and changing a flat tyre safely.

“Without the coal mining industry that support simply would not exist.

“I’m hugely supportive of what Coal Australia is doing to advocate for an often misunderstood but hugely important industry to Australia. Coal Australia gets that the heart and soul of the coal industry is the quality of its people and the communities it supports.”