Community grant contributes to valuable upgrade
6 July 2023
GFG Alliance and its SIMEC Mining Tahmoor Coking Coal operation have confirmed their commitment to community with a significant grant to help upgrade the Wollondilly Heritage Centre.
This support followed an application from the Oaks Historical Society for funding through the Tahmoor Coking Coal Community Investment Program. These funds went towards a project that has upgraded the centre’s barbecue area to create safe and secure facilities for visitors and locals.
Tahmoor Coking Coal representatives, including Peter Vale (Executive General Manager), Clint Mason (Head of Coal Operations) and Jeff Brown (Continuous Improvement Superintendent), were given a guided tour of the new facility by the historical society earlier this month to acknowledge the local colliery’s support.
It is a fantastic community facility and wonderful that we are able to be part of this community and support such worthwhile endeavours
Clint Mason (Head of Coal Operations)
“I haven’t been back to the centre since I did a primary school excursion, so it was good to come back now and see the great work being done,” Clint said.
“It is a fantastic community facility and wonderful that we are able to be part of this community and support such worthwhile endeavours.”
For Jeff the visit was even more familiar as his father Bruce Jon is a volunteer at the museum.
“Dad is a retired coal miner and now volunteers at heritage centre in the coal exhibition,” Jeff said.
“It is a fantastic feeling to have this multi-generational facility here and to see the kids still getting enjoyment and learnings from it.”
President of the Oaks Historical Society, Trish Hill thanked Tahmoor Coking Coal for its generous support to help provide the large decking area for visitors, the community and school groups.
“Wollondilly Heritage Centre has become more than a heritage centre and museum particularly over the past few years,” Trish said.
“We have become a real community hub by providing a place for the community to come and attend training, get-togethers and learn while sharing experiences and knowledge.
“The centre also has an extensive mining display proudly donated by retired miners and their families so we are so grateful Tahmoor Coking Coal recognises this and lends such generous support.”
The opening event was attended by fellow sponsors Veolia and TRN Group as well as Wollondilly Shire Councillor Hilton Gibbs.
You can find out more about the heritage centre here The Wollondilly Heritage Centre & Museum (wollondillymuseum.org.au)
It is a fantastic feeling to have this multi-generational facility here and to see the kids still getting enjoyment and learnings from it.
Jeff Brown (Continuous Improvement Superintendent)
Main image: Tahmoor Coking Coal’s Jeff Brown, Clint Mason, Zina Ainsworth, Amanda Bateman and Peter Vale at the opening of the new facility at the Wollondilly Heritage Centre.