As we wrap up a big year of growth and achievements, I want to thank all of those who have stepped up in 2025 to assist their workmates and contribute to the success of our Union.
Most day-to-day union work representing members and enforcing safety and rights on site is performed by workplace delegates elected by their peers. Being a union delegate is a challenging role, performed voluntarily on top of a worker’s full workload. It can involve everything from enterprise bargaining to representing members in disputes, finding information and resolving issues large and small. It’s also a very rewarding role, lifting workers’ skills, knowledge and confidence on the job.
Each year we acknowledge the important role of workplace delegates at our annual Awards night. For 2025, we have acknowledged two MEU delegates who have done an outstanding job in very tough circumstances.
Our Best Delegate of the Year was awarded to Merv Wiki, Vice President at Moranbah North Lodge. As readers would know, an underground explosion in March halted production and left the workforce shocked and traumatised. Merv’s leadership brought people together in support and solidarity, providing a strong and caring shoulder for his fellow workmates to lean on.
This year, the Lodge has also navigated enterprise bargaining, a failed sale of the mine and workforce upheaval. Throughout it all, Merv focused on communicating with members, ensuring everyone had full information to guide decision-making. Merv has made the decision to move on from Moranbah North, but his incredible contribution to the strong and united Lodge at Moranbah North will live on.
Our Award for Up and Coming Delegate also went to Moranbah North Lodge.
Sarah Ogilvie, an electrician, showed her commitment to safety by standing up to management with data and evidence to address an issue she identified. Sarah withstood efforts to downplay the issue until it was resolved with effective engineering controls. This is a great example for all mineworkers, who are required to stand up for safe workplaces – sometimes under pressure.
Sarah is also inspiring in her life outside mining, where she pursues adrenaline-filled hobbies including skydiving and has founded her own charity delivering light and power to remote communities in developing countries.
Merv and Sarah represent the many MEU delegates across Queensland doing outstanding work each and every day to improve outcomes for mining and energy workers in our state. On behalf of the Queensland District, I thank them all for their efforts in 2025.
Our Awards night also honoured those who have stuck with the Union over the course of their mining careers. Clinton ‘Bundy’ Faine and Kerry Neilson have both been MEU members for 40 years. Clinton began his career at Gregory mine before moving to Curragh, where he still works. Kerry has been an operator at Oaky Creek for 40 years and is going strong.
Bruce Moulds has been an MEU member for 50 years. He started at Goonyella Riverside not long after the mine opened and has worked there and lived in Moranbah ever since.
Long-term members like Bundy, Kerry and Bruce are so important for upholding our values and sharing their experiences of standing up for members over decades in the industry.
It’s been a big year for our union, with significant legal wins and Same Job Same Pay being rolled out across the industry. Thank you to all our officials, staff, supporters and partner organisations who help us win for members every day. Our success is reflected in strong membership growth this year, with over a thousand people joining our MEU ranks in Queensland alone.
Finally, I want to acknowledge Tony Maher, who will retire as General President on December 31 after an extraordinary 27-year tenure. Tony’s leadership has been instrumental in shaping the strong, independent union we are today. On behalf of all Queensland members, thank you Tony for your decades of service and unwavering commitment.
Mitch Hughes
President Mining and Energy Union Queensland District
