Some of our best and most popular rugby league players have thrown their support behind the mining industry in a bid to promote the benefits mining jobs have on local communities and the economy more broadly.

The star-studded lineup includes Harry Grant, who grew up around Yeppoon, Ben Hunt, who grew up at Dingo, Tamika Upton who spent her childhood in Rockhampton, Blackwater and Emerald, and Corey Oates, who grew up at Baralaba, as well as Sam Thaiday, Danny Buderus and Ali Brigginshaw.

Jobs for Mining Communities (JMC) is a new advocacy body headed by Grant Wechsel and Darren Lockyer and has launched a campaign to promote mining’s role in powering Australia’s industrial strength and economic prosperity.

JMC Founder and Managing Director Grant Wechsel said JMC provides a new platform to promote the interests of those living in mining communities by advocating for job creation, economic development and investment.

“I’ve been involved in mining for over 20 years and I’m passionate about our industry and the benefits it provides to our economy, especially around jobs.

“Across the industry, we know how important what we do is to our country and the significant contribution our work makes to funding schools, hospitals and critical infrastructure. We also know the indirect impact our work has on supporting jobs in small local businesses like pubs, hairdressers, supermarkets, car dealerships and cafes, because if we’re not here, then they won’t be either.

“What’s important for us is that the broader public understands this and realises that without mining jobs, many of our major regional centres would be severely impacted, and our smaller mining communities simply wouldn’t exist.”

A new advertising campaign promoting the Jobs for Mining Communities message and starring the rugby league players is being rolled out across billboards, radio, social media, print and BVOD.

“I think you would be hard pressed to find a rugby league player who didn’t have some connection to Australia’s mining industry or have benefited in some way through the contribution mining makes to their community,” Grant said.

“Ben Hunt grew up in Central Queensland and his dad is still a coal miner. Tamika spent her childhood in towns like Rockhampton, Blackwater and Emerald and is now based in the Hunter, which is the world’s leading coal producing region.

“To have two rugby league legends in Sam Thaiday and Danny Buderus, and five of the best of our current crop of players proudly waving the flag for our mining industry just goes to show how closely aligned our industries are.

“You also have to remember a lot of rugby league players didn’t come from highly affluent families and they have had to put in a lot of hard work to get to where they are. The same goes for a lot of people in our industry, they work hard but the result is a very well-paid job and the opportunity to provide for their families. The ties between our mining sector and the rugby league community run deep.”

JMC kicked off its campaign in Townsville at the Cowboys v Raiders game with advertising featuring prominently at Queensland Country Bank Stadium. The message then spread to Queensland’s biggest mining town, Brisbane, featuring at the Broncos v Storm game at Suncorp Stadium. Advertising is now also in the market across other mining communities including Mackay, Moranbah and Emerald.

JMC’s mission is to boost regions in NSW and Queensland through job creation, promoting the significant contribution mining communities make to our national prosperity, and instilling pride in the workers and communities.

According to the latest statistics from the Minerals Council of Australia there are more than 289,000 people employed in mining in Australia with the industry contributing $63 billion in taxes and royalties in 2023.

For more information on JMC, visit www.jobsformining.com.au