A haul truck with a bright pink tray is making its way from Mackay to Collinsville, but this isn’t just any truck – it’s a rolling symbol of hope and support for women battling breast cancer.
The haul truck will be based at Glencore’s Collinsville Open Cut mine, raising awareness for Mater Chicks in Pink, a not-for-profit who help fund breast cancer care, treatment and support services at Mater Private Hospital Mackay.
Glencore’s Collinsville workforce are major supporters of Mater Foundation’s International Women’s Day Fun Run and Breasties Brunches and have so far raised more than $40,000 to fight and treat breast cancer.
James Barrett, Senior Mechanical Engineer at Collinsville Open Cut, said it’s a cause close to the hearts of the mine’s workers.
“Like a lot of people, many of our staff have been touched by breast cancer, so we are big supporters of the fun run and other fundraising events.
“Our pink truck tray is another way of raising vital funds and awareness wherever it goes. Importantly, we want Mackay women to know they’re not alone in this fight.”
Andrew Schulz is the Manufacturing Manager at Schlam in Queensland, the company tasked with designing the themed tray.
“Once we understood the Foundation’s impact, we worked with Glencore and Mater to create a truck bed design that would raise awareness for Chicks in Pink and the important work they do,” he explained.
“The finished product is the result of close collaboration between our teams, Glencore, and the Mater Foundation, creating something eye-catching that helps spread the message.
“It’s about more than productivity and performance; it’s about supporting Glencore in championing a cause that matters and showing our support for the many women and families affected.”
The truck’s debut was celebrated at Hastings Deering in Paget, where the Collinsville mine also donated an initial $5,000 to Mater Chicks in Pink.
Mater Private Hospital Mackay nurses joined the unveiling to thank Glencore for its support. Elly Engstrom, Nurse Unit Manager of the hospital’s surgical ward, highlighted the impact of community initiatives on patient care.
“Support for Mater Chicks in Pink goes straight to the frontline of the fight against cancer.
“It has funded a new Faxitron radiography system at Mater Mackay to make breast cancer surgery more precise and reduce the risk of secondary surgery.”
The project also resonates on a personal level for local women like Raelene Brown, a Hastings Deering employee who underwent treatment for advanced breast cancer in 2020. More than 300 local women undergo surgery for breast cancer at Mater each year.
“Everything was done in Mackay, so there were no long travel times, and I didn’t have to stay in an unfamiliar place while dealing with everything else. Being able to access timely treatment and support close to home was vital to my recovery.”
Mater Foundation Chief Executive Andrew Thomas praised the initiative.
“A hot pink truck tray is a first for Mater Foundation – but we absolutely dig it!
“This initiative will enable Mater to fund personalised breast cancer services and invest in potentially life-saving cancer research, services and technology. Community generosity like this makes a positive, and very real, impact on the lives of breast cancer patients.”
