December 20, 2024
Mining and Energy Union Members have continued a long tradition of generous community giving this year.
Our Union has often been at the centre of coal mining communities, and our Districts work in close partnership with their local communities.
Here are just a few of the great causes our members have supported in 2024:
Looking after the health of our communities
The NSW Northern Mining and NSW Energy District continued their strong support for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service, with members contributing some $1 million through payroll deductions.
For over 35 years Northern Mining and NSW Energy District coal miners have poured millions of dollars into the Service as part of our commitment to supporting mining communities.
We always feel a sense of pride to see our symbol on the side of the chopper as we continue our support to keep the life-saving ‘angel in the sky’ flying.
$160,000 for QLD Helicopter Services
The Queensland District has continued their support of local helicopter services.
$17,000+ was donated to the Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service which supports the Capricorn region and Central QLD community for rapid response search and rescue.
An additional $142,000+ donation was made to the CQ Rescue Hangar Helicopter which provides a lifelines to anyone, anywhere at any time across Central and North Queensland.
MEU Bayswater Lodge Donation to Ronald McDonald House Newcastle
The MEU Bayswater lodge donated $20,000 to Ronald McDonald House Newcastle.
The House is a home-away-from-home for the families of sick kids undergoing treatment at John Hunter Children’s Hospital.
It provides over 600 families a year with a comfortable place to stay and peace of mind during difficult times when they need it the most.
Grosvenor Hospital Donation
This year the Grosvenor Lodge gathered for their fourth annual night of remembrance for the underground explosion that tore through their mine on 6 May 2020.
Moranbah nurse Bronwyn Dagan, who was on duty on the day of the explosion and spoke about its impact on nursing staff and implored workers to put their safety first.
She accepted a donation of $5,000 to Moranbah Hospital from the Lodge.
Well done to our Grosvenor Lodge executive and all members for their incredible commitment to ensuring that the disaster is never forgotten, and the lessons are learned.
Mineworkers Trust scholarships
The Mineworkers Trust has provided 20 scholarships worth $7,000 each for Members or families to help fund higher education.
Broken Hill local, Violet Holland was one of twenty successful applicants for this years’ Mining and Energy Union Mineworkers’ Trust scholarship worth $7,000. The scholarship will assist Violet to pursue her goal of becoming a paramedic as she completes her Bachelor of Paramedicine at Flinders University in Adelaide.
The Trust has returned more than $10 million dollars to Australian mining communities since its inception in the 1970s.
VCE Scholarships for Victorian schools
The Victorian District provides VCE Scholarships to schools within nearby catchment areas of up to $600. Some of this year’s recipients include Kurnai College, Warragul Regional College, Trafalgar High School, and Traralgon Secondary College.
Ongoing support for Members
In 2024 Mining and Energy Lodges have also donated to countless individual families in hardship, whether to help fund medical treatment or to assist with costs associated with bereavement.
We send a massive shout out to Members and Districts for their continuing support for their local communities and their generosity in 2024.