Industry spends Christmas spreading joy and making memories

December 23, 2021 Mining Editor

As the year draws to a close, energy and resources workers have made time for goodwill and loved ones.

Employees and contractors recently collected donations while wrapping gifts and packing several Christmas hampers across the Hunter Valley.

Workers from AGL’s Liddell and Bayswater coal power stations voluntarily raised more than $3000 to support broadcasters 2NM’s and POWERFM’s food and toy appeal at the Singleton Neighbourhood Centre, 78km northwest of Newcastle.

They hope their community spirit will relieve financial hardship and trauma for more than 600 struggling families.

“Following a challenging 24 months for communities right across the country, we know many in our community will be doing it tough this Christmas,” AGL chief operating officer Markus Brokhof said in a public statement.

“We have also donated $1000 to the Singleton fire truck lolly run, which will no doubt bring some excitement to the community. For our employees it has been uplifting to come together, bring some holiday cheer to others and help put a smile on the faces of many children and their families.”

Singleton Neighbourhood Centre confirmed the worldwide pandemic has put further strain on the charity service.

“This year we have seen more struggling due to COVID-19 and are expecting that amount to be bigger again,” support worker Melinda Gray said. “We would not be able to meet this need without the community’s support.”

AGL employees
AGL employees Jordan Goldman, Satish Busapala, Jerry Murray, Nick Paynter, Orrin Akers

Meanwhile, Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) recently welcomed employees’ family members to its Pilbara operations. Photos shared on social media show a Santa Claus wearing a hard hat, yellow high-visibility vest, and carrying gifts in an FMG-branded tote bag. Children dressed in work clothes can also be seen posing for pictures in an excavator bucket and a large shed.

“[There were] plenty of smiling faces at our Christmas family visits,” FMG said on Facebook. “To bring some Christmas cheer we united team members with their families by flying family members to our operations. Visitors were taken on a tour of our sites and even had a surprise visit from Santa!”

Glencore Coal Australia shared an impressive artist impression of 18 dump trucks, stacked in seven rows to resemble a Christmas tree.

“Best wishes for Christmas and the New Year to our employees, suppliers, partners and host communities,” the company said on Facebook.

The team at APRS Media wishes you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas.

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