GFG Foundation off to flying start at Tahmoor

First intake at SIMEC Mining colliery a great success

13 June 2023

The GFG Foundation continues to grow in Australia with the first intake of students for the SIMEC Mining colliery at Tahmoor in New South Wales.

The introduction of 30 Year 9 and 10 students, from Picton High School and the Wollondilly Anglican College, to the GFG Foundation makes Tahmoor Coal the fourth GFG Alliance operation site to host the community-based learning and development program.

The GFG Foundation focuses on programs to support people, particularly young people, to reach their potential and strengthen industries and local communities by boosting skills and employment prospects.

With this sort of collaborative approach, we are going to see these students gain a real head start to their working life with some positive, proactive guidance that will lead them into meaningful work or further study opportunities.
Jonny Samengo – GFG Foundation Chief Operating Officer

The GFG Foundation runs programs in areas that GFG Alliance has a significant presence in. These programs help give students important skills to help them towards being job-ready after school. These include STEM based learning programs, designed to involve students in problem solving real-world issues that are happening in their local communities.

The Wollondilly Year 9 and 10 students had their first day with the program at the Tahmoor Community Hall where they heard from GFG Foundation General Manager Georgina Crumpton, who had travelled from the Dubai offices of GFG, and GFG Foundation Chief Operating Officer Jonny Samengo.

ENGAGEMENT: Local students from Tahmoor enjoyed the first GFG Foundation session

The program was developed in-house by the GFG Foundation in partnership with CSIRO and Prince’s Trust Australia to enhance and deliver programmes of the highest standards. CSIRO Education Advisor Axel Steigler-Russell was on hand to convene the first session at Tahmoor that was also an open invitation for parents as the students got to meet the ten mentors from Tahmoor Coal that will be guiding them through their weekly learning sessions during school terms 2 and 3.

In a coup for the program, Tahmoor Coal Executive General Manager Peter Vale has enthusiastically embraced and welcomed the program by becoming a mentor. As part of the program the students will also have two tours, one above and one below, of the mine.

“Tahmoor Coal is extremely happy to see the GFG Foundation commence in our area. We have been eagerly awaiting its instigation for a few years now,” Peter said.

“The GFG Foundation is a fantastic initiative. It is a great opportunity for the students of Wollondilly’s two high schools to be involved in a program that offers them opportunities to grow as young adults, and learn more about the STEM programs and how they can benefit from them and realise their full potential.”

Jonny said the introduction of the program to Tahmoor, joining GFG sites at Whyalla in South Australia, Newcastle in NSW and George Town in Tasmania, was exciting for the region, the community and GFG.

GUIDING LIGHTS: Back from left: Mathew Davies (mentor), Phil Jones (mentor), Peter Vale (mentor), Joseph Bassil (mentor), Thomas Henry (mentor) Georgina Crumpton (GFG Foundation General Manager), Jonny Samengo (GFG Foundation Chief Operating Officer), Axel Steigler-Russell (CSIRO Education Advisor). Front: Shayley McCracken (mentor), Natalie Brumby (mentor), Tom O’Brien (mentor), Craig Brackenbury (mentor).

“I am genuinely amazed by how positive the community has been and the fantastic welcome we have had from the schools and other stakeholders like the Wollondilly Shire Council … we couldn’t have wished for a better start,” he said.

“With this sort of collaborative approach, we are going to see these students gain a real head start to their working life with some positive, proactive guidance that will lead them into meaningful work or further study opportunities.

“That isn’t just employment at Tahmoor Coal, the GFG Foundation is a genuine community endeavour that will lead to these students achieving their career and life goals on whatever path and organisation they decide on.”

The GFG Foundation is a fantastic initiative. It is a great opportunity for the students of Wollondilly’s two high schools to be involved in a program that offers them opportunities to grow as young adults, and learn more about the STEM programs and how they can benefit from them and realise their full potential.
Peter Vale – SIMEC Mining Tahmoor Coking Coal Executive General Manager and mentor

Established in Australia in 2019, the GFG Foundation extends to a Year 7 and 8 program that will be introduced to Tahmoor next year.

Main picture: SIMEC Mining Tahmoor Coking Coal Executive General Manager and mentor, Peter Vale talks to students at the first session at Tahmoor.

Click on GFG Foundation for more information.