Community
Glencore Celebrates Partnership in Safety and Training
The Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service (WRHS) will be prominently featured on a giant haul truck tray at Glencore’s Mt Owen Glendell (MGO) mining complex as
Water Saving Initiatives Win Love Water Award
Port Waratah has taken out a Love Water Love Business Award for outstanding results in our Carrington Coal Terminal’s water management and efficiency improvement initiatives.
Christmas Donations for Community Kitchen
Mangoola Open Cut has cemented a great relationship with the Muswellbrook’s Red Door Community Kitchen (RDCK) through donations of food, funds and volunteers assisting Christmas
Desmond’s NRLW Debut
Singleton local and Hunter Valley miner, Phoebe Desmond has claimed her spot in the inaugural Newcastle Knights NRLW team. Mining and footy have run in
Vax Made Easy
CS Health is partnering with Pharmacy Guild of Australia to deliver fast, efficient and safe vaccinations against COVID-19 for workers across our coal mining industry.
In A Dizzy?
While feeling dizzy is quite common and normally nothing to worry about, frequent dizziness may be an indication of a more serious health issue. Dizziness
MY MINING LIFE: Luke Forward
Who are you and what do you do? Hi! I’m Luke Forward, and I’m Haulage supervisor at BHP Mt Arthur Coal. When did you start
SUPPLIER INSIDER: Truflo Pumps
Tell us about the business? Truflo Pumps’ core product focus is the design and building of bespoke dewatering pumps, water transfer and ancillary equipment for
Xmas Picnic
A Picnic at Singleton Showground is the new look for Samaritans Christmas Lunch in Singleton. Thanks to Northern Agricultural Association, the plans are well underway
Clubbing for a Good Cause
Local golfers in the Upper Hunter will take to the green to tee off for Cancer Council’s The Longest Day on Monday 13 December. The
Score for Singleton PCYC
Basketballers at Singleton PCYC are excited to see their hoops scores in bright lights on the new electronic scoreboard thanks to a $1,500 donation from
COMMUNITY GIFT: Muswellbrook View Club
This month the Complete Parts and @ The Coalface $500 Community Gift goes to the Muswellbrook VIEW Club. VIEW, which stands for Voice, Interests and
Driving Diversity
Join the team and help drive diversity and inclusion across the Hunter as part of the Women in Mining Network NSW Hunter Valley Subcommittee. Women
Learn from the Lawman
Stuart Barnett is our mining industry’s leading personal injury lawyer. This month he has some important advice about the cancellation of Certificates of Title. Last
Positive Results for UHMD Projects
Improved air quality, more water flowing in the Hunter River and continued growth of rehabilitated mined land, are all positive results highlighted by recent updates
Safety Awards Return
After a thrice postponed 2020 award ceremony, the Hunter Safety Awards are back to normal for their 2022 awards, with major sponsor AGL continuing their
SUPPLIER INSIDER: SKALA Australasia and DISAB Australia/NZ
Tell us about the business? SKALA Australasia (skala.com.au) is an equipment and solutions provider for mining, recycling and industrial processes. We combine leading international equipment
MY MINING LIFE: Hayden Lawrie
Who are you and what do you do? My name is Hayden Lawrie. I work for GB Auto at HVO. I’m an Auto Electrician in
R U OK?
This month we celebrated R U OK? Day, a national day dedicated to start a conversation, inspire and empower everyone to meaningfully connect with the people
Base to Base
Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service supporters across Northern NSW are being encouraged to lace up their shoes this October in a virtual fundraiser that will take
Deserving Donation
Like many organisations, the Denman Rotary Club’s ability to raise funds has been greatly impacted by COVID-19. Fortunately, the team at Mangoola Open Cut was
Proud in Purple
Mt Arthur Coal supported this year’s national Wear It Purple Day on August 27. The Mt Arthur Coal site-based Inclusion and Diversity team sold specially
Be a Hero
I’ve helped save the lives of over 50 people. No, I’m not a firefighter or a doctor. I just donate blood. Did you know that
Think Safe, Work Safe, Be Safe
October is National Safe Work Month where every Australian worker is encouraged to do their part in building safer and healthier workplaces. Safe Work Month
Still a Hunter Boy at Heart
Josh King has been making us proud since his debut for the Newcastle Knights in 2016, and although he’s moving on to the Melbourne Storm
Dialogue Doings
The Upper Hunter Mining Dialogue has postponed its Community Forum to 2022 due to ongoing Covid-19 restrictions. The Community Forum is a valuable event in
Above and Beyond
Across the Hunter, mining companies have put in place a ton of initiatives during the pandemic, such as mine site vaccination hubs, rapid antigen testing
Port Waratah Keen to Hear Local Voices
Local Newcastle residents are invited to share their views to influence and inform Port Waratah Coal Services’ decision making and strategy through the Local Voices
Go Goannas!
The Cessnock Goannas have been fierce competitors in the Denton Engineering Cup 2021 season sitting in 2nd place heading into the last round, until Covid
They Who Share Their Stories
Earlier this year at the International Women’s Day #choosetochallenge Luncheon, The Bloomfield Group’s Renata Roberts was given the opportunity to share her personal story and
Charity Challenge
AGL’s Maintenance teams at Liddell and Bayswater have set themselves a challenge to raise $20,000 for charities this financial year. With the first month already
CPR Combats Cancer
CPR Plant Repairs & Maintenance have gone above and beyond in looking after their employees by providing the entire workforce with ongoing bowel cancer testing
The Top 5 Problems in Safety Management Today
Health and safety management has never been more front of mind globally than it is today. While public health concerns surrounding COVID-19 dominate community and
Top Turnout for Inaugural Indigenous Round
The DK Heavy Plant Services Group 21 Indigenous round was held on July 11 in line with National Reconciliation and Naidoc, with fans flocking to
Supporting Sport
Junior Sports clubs and organisations across regional NSW are set to benefit from almost $85,000 in collective funding thanks to Glencore’s Junior Sports Development Program
Top 40
Beloved Singletonian Bernie Wood turned 40 recently. Well, his beloved business Singleton Earthmoving did and around 80 of his closest friends and business associates came
SUPPLIER INSIDER: Australian Filter Services
Tell us about the business? Australian Filter Services is a Singleton based business specialising in filtration and lubrication covering all aspects of mining equipment, heavy
Helping Hunter Families
Delicious hot meals were cooked up and served free of charge to Hunter Valley families and individuals in need this month, thanks to Malabar Resources
Life After a Professional Athlete’s Career
Newcastle’s homegrown Kurt Gidley is best known for his brilliant career with the Newcastle Knights ending in 2017, leading the star to transition from full
OPINION: Towards a Fairer Workplace
In my last contribution to Coalface I again wrote about the importance of the coalmining industry to our region and its economy, just as I
OPINION: You Can Count on Council
It’s an understatement to say that these are challenging times, made even more so because of the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 response. We simply don’t
Go Pink!
Around 20,000 Australians will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020, and we can all make a difference by going Pink this June. It’s been
Coping With COVID-19
Australians have copped a lot during 2020 including the pandemic we are currently facing, which is why it’s important to remember we are stronger together.
Now I’m Free Freefallin’
Josh Mortel is 23 years old, Manager at Mortels Sheepskin Factory and regularly jumps out of planes 15,000ft off the groundfor fun. When it comes to
Play Ball!
Sienna Burgess has hit a home run, being selected in the 2020 NSW All School Girls’ Softball Team set for May 16 in Perth. In year
The Golden Holden
The automotive brand Australians have grown to know and love has announced they will be discontinuing sales in Australia and New Zealand. Goodbye Holden! General
Ambitious AFL Star
Sophie Clancy is a proficient sportswoman with a love for AFL and is already kicking goal after goal in her young career. Singleton High School’s
Tennis Club Takes On New Year
All were welcome at the Howe Park Tennis Club annual general meeting on February 29, 2020. Following a successful year of tennis in 2019, the
Think Pink
Bengalla Mining Company recently celebrated the receipt of a Pink painted CAT D11T in recognition and partnership with the McGrath Foundation for Breast Care Awareness.
Blue is Better
Komatsu and Cummins have joined forces to supply blue painted engine modules to Komatsu 830E haul trucks to Bengalla Mine in support of Beyond Blue.
Get Connected
The Lower Hunter Community Connect Day is back on Thursday May 7, 2020 and will again provide a one-stop-shop for people from the area to connect
Excellent Expo
The 2020 Emergency Services Expo is back again on March 28 and will showcase the Hunter’s amazing emergency services. Singleton Council is joining forces with
Celebrating Liddell Underground
This month, a get together reunion of the crew from Liddell Underground will celebrate the mine and the tight knit crew who ran it. The
Rewarding Ride
The Annual Mailrun Charity Bike Ride, proudly sponsored by Quarry Mining, is back for another year to raise money for Singleton Family Support. Join with
Cleaning Up Our Neighbourhood
Mount Pleasant Operations team members joined Thiess and SGS to clean up our neighbourhood as part of the Clean Up Australia Day Campaign. Passionate employees
Muswellbrook Gets Healthy
The Muswellbrook CREATE Change Coalition has introduced the Healthy & Well initiative with goals of increasing wellbeing in the Muswellbrook Shire. Local health, social and community
Indigenous Cricketing Greats Tour Maules Creek
Cricketing legend Lennie Pascoe journeyed to Narrabri on the Australia Day weekend to celebrate the reunion of Australia’s second all-Indigenous cricket team and their tour
Better Together
Richard Gillham is a 5thgeneration local farmer, member of the Boggabri Lions Club and the current Rural Fire Service Captain of the Nandewar Fire Brigade.
Brekkie Business
Gunnedah Business owners are finding inspiration and energy from each other. The Gunnedah Business Brekkie initiative has only been running for a few months yet
Aruma Disability Gunnedah
This issue the GBP Cranes @ The Coalface $300 Community Gift goes to Aruma Disability Gunnedah. They might have a new name, but Aruma Disability Gunnedah
Need for Speed
Ready, set, go! It’s just about time to hit the accelerator for Gunnedah’s fastest festival – the Weeks of Speed. Not for the faint hearted
The Littlest Battler
Christopher Potter spent four of his first five months in hospital. He was born in December 2018 with rare condition called tracheoesophageal fistula (TOF). This
Back to Singleton 2020
Singleton reflects on historical, industrial and cultural contribution in bicentennial commemorations. It’s 200 years since the European exploration of the area we now know as
Lunch with Latham
At the tail end of 2019, Mark Latham was asked to come to the Hunter by Federal One Nation Candidate Stuart Bonds to deliver an
Rising Star
Racing is in the blood of 12-year-old Kobi Wright, starting his rookie season in the Junior Formula 500 class. Passionate youngster Kobi Wright has been around
Upcoming Aussie Champ
Muswellbrook local and cricket young gun Harry Scowen has smashed goal after goal on the cricket field as he strives to one day play for
Pretty in Pink
Alfabs Group have aligned with the National Breast Cancer Foundation, donating $10,000 from the hire of RIZZO. The Alfabs Group Mining Division have just received
Drought Won’t Stop the Music
The Toyota Country Music Festival is one of Australia’s longest standing and truly authentic music events and it’s back in 2020 from January 17 to
Making Waves
Ellie Lambkin is a 16-year-old surfing young gun, passionate sportswoman and sun, surf and sand lover and she’s making waves in the world of surfing.
Tennis Stars Stop by Gunnedah
Australian tennis champs Casey Dellacqua and Jaslyn Hewitt made their way to Gunnedah to share their expertise with young local players. Gunnedah’s upcoming tennis stars
Drovers Campfire Back in Boggabri
The Boggabri Drovers campfire is back in 2020 for another huge event as thousands flock from all over Australia to enjoy the laid back Boggabri
Drought Won’t Stop the Music
The Toyota Country Music Festival is one of Australia’s longest standing and truly authentic music events and it’s back in 2020 from January 17 to
Industry Partnership Prepares Inmates for Life After Prison
Thiess, a member of CIMIC Group, is working with Corrective Services Industries (CSI) to prepare inmates at St Heliers Correctional Centre for life beyond their
Remarkable Rugby League Commitment
NRL Australia has recognised passionate local Bianca Johnston for her commitment to the women’s game, awarding her the NRL Women in League Award for 2019.
Superbike Star
Born and bred in Nulkaba, NSW Matt Walters has been racing motorbikes since he was 5 and now races the 2019 Australian Superbike series. At
Fight Against Domestic Violence
Singleton Family Support Services have joined the fight against Domestic Violence, launching a Toolbox Talks program to raise awareness and help prevent domestic violence in
Donation for the Heart
Singleton Rugby Union Club players, spectators and officials can participate with peace of mind thanks to a donation from Yancoal Australia’s Mount Thorley Warkworth (MTW)
Proud History, Bright Future
Bernie Wood and Singleton Earthmoving have been part of the fabric of life in Singleton for 39 years. We sat with Bernie to talk about
A Lasting Legacy
On September 10, we said farewell to local historian Brian John Andrews OAM. Although his time has passed, his legacy will long live on. I
A History of Aussie Mining
Former NSW Minerals Council CEO, Denis Porter has recently launched his new book Coal: The Australian Story, a fascinating read into our rich history of
Magic Muscats
Northwest Mining sponsored the Muswellbrook Muscats to help them take home the 2019 East Coast Masters win in style. The Muswellbrook Muscats are the men’s
The Warr on Mining
After over 20 years working in the mining industry, Glenn Warr is now sharing his story through the art of cartooning with this new book
Fire Fighting Miners
Fire and Rescue NSW has gained 5 hardworking miners over the years at their station in Gunnedah. When it comes to helping out the community, the
It’s a Knockout!
Over 400 local coal miners will be lacing up their boots for the highly anticipated A Plus Contracting Hunter Valley Mining Charity League Knockout Competition
Remarkable Racer
At just 22 years of age Caitlin Wood is the first Australian woman to compete on the European racing stage. From 7-years-old Caitlin loved getting
Lamb in London League
From humble beginnings playing for West Maitland Reddogs to playing top level Rugby League for the London Broncos, Maitland’s Brock Lamb continues to climb the
Super Sprinter
Braith White from Jerry’s Plains, NSW is just 11-years-old and is already making a name for himself in the sprinting arena. Currently the Australian champion
Pig Party
The Denman Pig Races are back on Saturday October 12 and it’s going to be a porker! This unique event is a highlight on swine
These Leaders Get an A Plus
A Plus Contracting & Poly Welding have jumped to support the community yet again, this time abseiling down the face of McDonald Jones Stadium to raise
Drive For Life
The Salvation Army Oasis Youth Network is urgently seeking volunteer driving mentors for the Drive For Life Program in Singleton. This worthy program helps financially
International Opportunity
Last year Emeco employed two talented Heavy Vehicle Mechanics, Gideon Akabutu and Kennedy Akalilwa, from Africa and brought them to Australia. In 2017, Emeco engaged the
Top Breed
Martin Mythen might be a miner by day, but he’s a horse breeder at heart. Marty works at Glencore’s Glendell operation as a water cart
Chilli Champions
A couple of our mining industry fellas have banded together to create an epic and delicious side chilli sauce business. If you’re a fan of
The Drought is Getting Worse. How Can We Help?
The drought was big news not so long ago and anyone and everyone seemed to be talking about it or helping out. Well it’s much
Highway Hell Death Zone
The stretch of New England Highway between the Golden Highway and Singleton is best described as a death zone and daily traffic nightmare. It’s beyond
Chopper Golf Day Returns
New supplier Aletek have jumped on board to support the Upper Hunter Charity Golf Day to be played on August 23. The event helps raise
Shooting Stars
The Stars of the Hunter Dance for Cancer was a resounding success raising an incredible $108,092 for the Cancer Council. On June 29, hundreds gathered
Let’s Go to the Circus!
Early Links Inclusion Support Service has received the BHP Benefiting My Community Grant and is using it to change the lives of children in the
Mural Memorial
Kirsty Harrison (Spiteri) has found a memorable way to pay tribute to her family’s long history in coal mining. Kirsty would be the first to
Brooke and the Bears of Hope
Bloomfield’s Brooke Williams and her family have turned their loss into hope for families around Australia. Brooke Williams and her partner Shawn have proudly supported
