Coal is more than just an industry, it’s a community. It’s men and women working together. Lachlan Green works underground out west and for him mining is his not just a job, it’s his community.
Lachlan’s father worked in mining for many years around the Illawarra. He wasted no time in moving up the ranks during his time at Appin, becoming the supervisor within three months.
“He loved it. He loved it so much he would bring his paperwork home to fill out instead of doing it at work just so he could get it done quicker. He was so driven and determined to get further.
“Dad shuffled around a bit – he worked for Mastermyne at Appin and spent some time at Westcliff Colliery and a couple of other sites.
“One thing I always remember that Dad did was for any crew who worked hard for him that week, he would buy four tickets to the footy and take them to see our mighty Roosters. I would be in the front seat listening to them talk and I fell in love with that comradery and feeling of being together as a family even outside of the pit.
“It was great, I was taking the piss out of the boys when I was only 10!”
Lachlan’s father always pushed him in the direction of mining.
“He wanted me to get into the mines but always said I should get a trade just in case the mines had a downfall so I had something I could go back to.
“I ended up doing two years of concreting so I’m a concreter by trade and then Dad pushed me to get one more trade under my belt before I joined him underground – so I took up cabinetry,” said Lachlan.
While undertaking his second trade career, the unthinkable happened.
“In 2018 dad got diagnosed with cancer and was told he had six months to live. He lived for another two to three years.
“When he passed away it was always in the back of my mind that I wanted to get underground to help the family financially. I reached out to some of dad’s mates and as soon as I said that I was Greenie’s son they helped me out.”
Fast forward and Lachlan is now working underground.
And he loves it.
“There are some people underground you can’t tolerate, there’s always one or two! But the comradery with the boys is like family. When Dad passed away, at every mine that I’ve been to there have been blokes who I connected with and became a father figure to me.
“If I need a chat they’re there and that’s what coal mining is about.
“There’s a couple of people who really helped me out. Kev Morgan, Chad Davison, they’re two of the main blokes who really helped me get into mining.
“My first time underground I just fell in love with it. I felt a connection to Dad and I loved the comradery.
“I thought to myself, ‘how can I capture this feeling?’.
“So, Coal Culture evolved from that. I wanted to build something, create something.
“Our mission is to unite coal miners under a shared purpose: working together to get home safely to our families, earning an honest living, and celebrating the pride that comes with being an underground coal miner.
“Coal Culture exists to honour and uplift the hardworking men and women who brave the depths of the earth every day. We want to foster a sense of community that transcends individual mines, connecting coal miners everywhere. By creating a shared identity, we’re strengthening the bond that keeps us all safe and motivated.”
The first step in creating the movement is merchandise.
Lachlan has created stickers, shirts, caps, mugs, bags and hoodies emblazoned with the Coal Culture logo.
“The merchandise is something for partners as well, they can wear their Coal Culture shirt while their partners are away and feel that connection with them,” Lachlan said.
The young operator has big plans for Coal Culture. He believes it can develop into more than just being a shirt or a hat.
“I would love to help in the mental health space and the physical health space as well. I think it could be something big one day. I always get questions from people asking how they get into the mines, maybe I could tap into that as well.”
So, it’s fair to say this is just the start for Coal Culture.
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