Tahmoor apprentices pitch in to complete community project in Australia

16 May, 2023

Much-needed work at Buxton hall

Tahmoor Coal’s commitment to its local region was on show again in New South Wales, Australia, with the completion of a significant community project this month.

Following an approach by the Buxton Community Association for assistance with a retaining wall at its community hall, the GFG Alliance SIMEC Mining operation swung into action with a team of apprentices assigned to the project.

The community association hall had a water run-off issue which caused instability near the toilet block concrete slab which prevented the garden area from being used. A team of Tahmoor apprentices took on the project to construct a retaining wall and install a new water tank and pump with supervision from Tahmoor Manager of Mechanical Engineering David Waldock.

They are credit to themselves and the mine and we can’t thank them enough
Veronica Hunt – Buxton Community Association President

It was both a valuable and much-needed project for the community and a great learning exercise for the apprentices. Along the way they researched retaining walls, poured concrete foundations and slabs, conducted job safety analysis (JSAs), dug trenches, worked with local contractors, installed irrigation while wiring the pump and connected plumbing.

Tahmoor Mine Executive General Manager Coal Operations, Peter Vale said it was part of the operation’s commitment to community and dedication to the training of its apprentices that saw a special community project tackled each year.

APPRECIATE: Veronic Hunt with the plaque that will be erected to commemorate the work done by the Tahmoor apprentices at the Buxton hall.

“This work provides a more stable, usable garden area and the local community will benefit from a new localised water tank supply,” Peter said.

“It was a great training exercise for our apprentices, it instilled in them the importance of supporting the place where you live and work while creating something worthwhile that everyone in the community can enjoy and appreciate.

“We are proud of the fact that our people can contribute, with the company’s support, to this part of the world we all love.”

Buxton Community Association President Veronica Hunt was over the moon with the work done by the apprentices.

“This means so much to the association and the community, it has saved the foundations, utilised the water coming off the roof for the garden and even provided an extra source of water if we have a bush fire,” Veronica said.

“These boys have been so polite, bubbly and nothing has been too much trouble.

“I don’t think a professional could have done a better job, they’ve built the wall, redirected the electricity, installed the plumbing and clean up behind themselves.

“They are credit to themselves and the mine and we can’t thank them enough.”

We are proud of the fact that our people can contribute, with the company’s support, to this part of the world we all love
Peter Vale – Tahmoor Mine Executive General Manager Coal Operations

The project was completed ahead of schedule with assistance from local contractor Whiteys Building and Construction who provided equipment and assistance to dig a trench using its 3T excavator. Tahmoor Manager of Mechanical Engineering David Waldock and the apprentices met Veronica Hunt in May to finish the work off with a commemorative plaque.

JOB WELL DONE: Tahmoor apprentices (Back row left to right) Lachlan Jameson, Christian Molloy, Tom Olejniczak, Hayden Drapalski and (front row) Jack Kelly, Emmitt Carlile, Ethan De Leeuw, Rhys Flaxman with Veronica Hunt and the commemorative plaque.