New funding is now available to Central Queensland community groups and not-for-profit organisations in the Moranbah, Middlemount, Moura, Banana and Theodore areas through Anglo American’s 2024 Community Grants Program.

Anglo American Australia CEO Dan van der Westhuizen said the company was committed to supporting the development of thriving communities in the Bowen Basin.

“The annual Community Grants Program is a vital avenue to ensure mining benefits are shared with local people, communities and economies in the areas where Anglo American operates,” he said.

“We’re committed to making a genuine difference by delivering sustainable value that makes a real difference now and in the future.

“We achieve this by actively backing projects that enhance people’s livelihoods – improving health and wellbeing, employment, skills, and education – and fostering positive, long-term change for all stakeholders.”

In 2023, 53 groups across Anglo American’s operational footprint shared in more than $562,000 in community grants funding for local sustainable development initiatives.

Moura State High School was among those recipients, receiving $13,340 toward its Australian Business Week Program and Year 12 leadership camp – as well as installing four yarning circles.

Moura State High School Year 7 and 8 co-ordinator Doug Finlay said the yarning circles were officially opened in February with a traditional smoking ceremony and welcome to country gathering.

He said the yarning circle idea came about as the school had been working closely with Hugh van Cuylenburg and The Resilience Project.

Anglo American began a partnership with the project in 2023 to help introduce resilience practices into schools across Moranbah, Middlemount and Moura.

“It made sense to have areas around our school where we could have a safe, positive space to engage in gratitude, empathy and mindfulness,” Doug said.

“Together with the Gangulu elders and Anglo American, we created four outdoor spaces for our students, parents and teachers to engage in conversations and social interactions – basically, to have a yarn.

“The circles were named using traditional language encompassing listening to one another, coming to sit and to look at oneself.

“The yarning circles have been actively used for classes, social gatherings and school events.”