1. business and industrial
2. mining industry

OCTOBER – DECEMBER 2014
Members of our Executive Leadership Team, Otraco management and site team,
celebrated at a dinner with Rio Tinto site management at Paraburdoo.
SUCCESSFUL
PARTNERSHIP LEADS
TO FIVE-YEAR
CONTRACT AT
SUNRISE DAM
O
ur ability to cultivate long-term
and value-driven relationships
has led to us winning a new five-year
contract, worth up to $125 million,
with AngloGold Ashanti Australia
(AGAA) at Sunrise Dam gold mine, in a
joint venture with Indigenous mining
contractor, Carey Mining.
This new contract, which includes
management of the run of mine
(ROM) and ore rehandling services,
sees the continuation of one of the
longest working relationships
between a mining company, a mining
contractor and an Aboriginal business
in Australia.
OTRACO’S PARABURDOO OPERATIONS
CELEBRATE 20 YEARS LTI FREE
T
hink back to what you were doing in
September, 1994. Paul Keating was
our Prime Minister, we were all sobbing
over The Shawshank Redemption and
getting down to Salt-N-Pepa… and it was
also the last time our Otraco operation at
Paraburdoo had a lost time injury.
That’s right! On 1 October this year,
Otraco’s Paraburdoo operations achieved the
outstanding milestone of 20 years LTI free.
To celebrate, CEO, David Overall,
travelled to site with COO Downer Mining
Services, Peter Newman, Chief Legal
Counsel, Ian Briggs, CFO, Warwick McEvoy,
and GM Otraco, Alistair Swanson, along
with members of the Rio Tinto Paraburdoo
senior management team, to thank and
congratulate the team.
Continued page 2
From left: AGAA Senior Vice President Australia, Mike Erickson, Downer Mining
COO-West, Mike Sutton, and Carey Mining Founder and Managing Director,
Daniel Tucker, at the contract signing.
A lot has changed on site over the past
20 years, including systems, and equipment
type and size, but the team’s commitment
to safety certainly hasn’t. They see their
success as a combination of personal
commitment from each team member, the
development of a culture intolerant of risk,
and a back-to-basics approach to managing
Zero Harm.
They’re also proud of their partnering
approach to working with the client,
which has led to strong relationships, great
communication and a common vision for
a Zero Harm workplace. They have worked
on various projects together, including a
haul truck wheel changer prototype. This
is an automated ‘robot’ that changes tyres
on haul trucks, and eliminates exposure to
manual handling, noise, vibration and line
of fire.
The team has also implemented a
stretching program that matches specific
movements to specific tasks. This means
that rather than doing 10 minutes of
general stretches at the start of the day,
a team member can come back into the
crib room during their shift to use a fit
ball or foam roller to stretch the body
part that is about to get a workout. This
has increased the overall wellness of the
team and helped to eliminate manual
handling injuries.
This culture of always trying to do
things better has led to low personnel
turnover, which in turn contributes towards
a workplace where everyone cares about
their mates and takes care of each other.
Congratulations to the Paraburdoo team
on this fantastic achievement.
Mining Matters October – December 2014
1
Continued from front page
FROM THE CEO
A
s the year winds up, I’d like to thank
each and every one of you for your hard
work and commitment. What’s stood out to
me above all else this year is the willingness
everyone has showed to explore new and
different ways of doing things in a constantly
changing environment. A clear indicator of
this is the 380 great ideas that have been
submitted to 2 for 20 so far. Not all of these
have been focussed on innovation and saving
costs; many address mitigating hazards to
people and the environment.
I saw a perfect example of some of the
great thinking coming out of the business
when I was up at Paraburdoo mine recently to
celebrate Otraco’s 20 years LTI-free milestone.
The team has been working with the client on
an automated haul truck wheel changer that
is both saving time and preventing manual
handling injuries.
The value of strong, enduring relationships
was further demonstrated when we signed
the new contract with AngloGold Ashanti
Australia (AGAA) at Sunrise Dam gold mine.
We’ve been at the mine since start-up, and it’s
great that we’ll be there for another five years.
Congratulations to the team in the West.
Other relationships that have
strengthened during the year have been
those with our community partners.
Thank you to all those involved with these
charitable organisations and events, whether
it’s through opportunities offered by the
company or, like Commodore’s Iain Cory or
our Mo Bros, you’ve done it off your own bat,
your contribution is very much appreciated.
Reading the inspiring stories of our people
going above and beyond to give back is an
excellent way to bring 2014 to a close.
I’d like to take this opportunity to wish
you and your family all the best for a safe and
happy festive season.
David Overall
Chief Executive Officer
2
Mining Matters October – December 2014
Our involvement at Sunrise Dam can be traced back to the start of the
open pit operations in 1997, while Carey Mining was formed and awarded its
first ever mining contract at the mine around the same time.
Our COO West, Mike Sutton, said that the strong, trusting and open
relationship developed over the years had enabled the formation of the new
joint venture.
“This partnership will deliver exceptional value to AGAA through the
combined experience of two contractors who have been at Sunrise Dam for
close to two decades,” Mike said.
Carey Mining’s Founder and Managing Director, Daniel Tucker, credited the
long-term relationship and support from Downer Mining and AGAA for helping
the company to grow into one of Australia’s largest wholly owned
Indigenous businesses.
“What we did nearly 20 years ago just hadn’t been done before in WA, that is,
an Aboriginal company working in a large mining contract within the mining
industry,” Daniel said.
“With the support of AGAA and Downer Mining, we did the impossible. In
doing so, I believe this helped trigger the spirit of entrepreneurship in Aboriginal
people and highlighted the possible opportunities within the industry.”
Some of the ap
prentices are
flanked by Po
Vehicle Trainin
lytechnic Wes
g, Jeff Gittos (le
t’s Head of Pr
ft), and Main
Andrew Scud
ograms for He
tenance Train
ds, and Region
av y
ing Superinte
al Plant Superin
ndent,
tendent, John
Begovich.
ANOTHER MACHINE JOINS
THE FLEET AT POLYTECHNIC WEST
T
he Heavy Vehicle Training students at Polytechnic West now have
another machine on which to put their studies into practice, thanks to
our donation to the college of a Caterpillar 988C wheel loader.
The wheel loader joins our previous donations of a Volvo L180 wheel
loader and a Caterpillar 773B Off-Highway truck, and will be used to
facilitate learning in the diagnosis and repair of all vehicular systems.
Polytechnic West’s Managing Director, Jill Jamieson, said that our
partnership had enabled the college to deliver training that is customised
to meet employers’ needs.
Thanks to Maintenance Training Superintendent, Andrew Scudds, and
Regional Plant Superintendent, John Begovich, for their time and effort
in coordinating the donation, which reiterates our commitment to the
long-term investment in skilled workers for both the mining industry
and Western Australian community.
OUR BUSINESS
PUSHING AHEAD
WITH NEW DOZERS
A
fter 11 years of service and 50 million bank cubic
metres of waste removed, Commodore mine’s
three D11RCD Caterpillar dozers have been retired and
replaced with three new Komatsu D475 SDs, which
boast improved fuel, noise and operator efficiencies.
The first of the new ‘super dozers’ arrived by float
from the Komatsu Wacol depot in September, with
the remaining two machines delivered in October.
Successful commissioning was completed at the end of
October, and the dozers began work in November.
Each dozer is powered by an 890 horse power
engine, and has an operating weight of over 113 tonnes
and a blade push volume of 45m3.
Commodore Project Manager, Clem Baldwin, said
the dozers play an important part in waste removal at
Commodore.
“We have used dozer push as an integral component
of our waste removal process for over 13 years, with
more than 50% of all waste removed by this method.
“The new dozers use biodiesel and are fuel efficient
thanks to the latest Komatsu SAA12V140E-3 12 cylinder
engines. This model is also quieter to operate, and the
cabin is more comfortable for the operator,” said Clem.
Bringing three new pieces of equipment to site
has required a thorough change management
process, which has included training of operators and
maintenance people.
“This is the first time we have used Komatsu at
Commodore, so working closely with the manufacturer
has been key to a smooth transition,” said Clem.
The previous dozers have been sold to Komatsu, who
will onsell to other operations within the mining and
agricultural industries.
Standing in front of one of three new Komatsu D475 SDs at Commodore Mine are
(from left): Fitter, Keith McFeeters; Workshop Supervisor, Matthew Payne;
Fitter, Troy D’Arcy; Production Supervisor/OCE, Richard Weeden; Serviceman,
Manny Price; Fitter, Luke Morgan; and Boilermaker, Kerry Jones.
CELEBRATING MOGALAKWENA’S GOLDEN TYRE!
O
Representatives from our client, AngloAmerican Platinum, with the Golden Tyre.
ur Otraco team at Mogalakwena mine has come
up with a novel way of encouraging a ‘wholeof-mine’ approach to improving tyre performance.
They have joined forces with Mogalakwena mine
management and dust control management
company, Dust-A-Side, for the Wheels of Fortune
initiative – a program that monitors road conditions,
road layout, operator behaviour and workshop
efficiencies to maximise the use of the tyres.
One of the components of Wheels of Fortune
is to highlight the best-performing tyres on site, by
measuring how many hours they get out of them
before they need replacing. Before the program
commenced, the highest-performing tyre was 5,034
hours. This has been well and truly surpassed since
the inception of the program, with a whopping 6,216
hours clocked on a tyre in August. Now named the
Golden Tyre, it will take pride of place at the entrance
to the mine until another tyre beats its record.
Wheels of Fortune has created a cost saving of just
under 4 million rand in July and August alone.
Congratulations to the team – we look forward to
hearing about the next Golden Tyre!
Mining Matters October – December 2014
3
2 FOR 20 SUPERHEROES
Since the
launch of
our 2 for 20
initiative in September 2013,
we have received over 380 ideas
that aim to reduce costs, improve
efficiency or eliminate waste.
KELLIE HUNT,
ENVIRONMENTAL
ADVISOR, BOGGABRI
Rather than discarding air filters from
haul trucks, excavators and dozers,
the Boggabri Plant and Maintenance
teams have started sending them
away to be dry cleaned. Each filter
can be cleaned six times before it
needs to be replaced.
BENEFITS:
n R
educed air filter disposal and
procurement costs
n
Reduced cardboard
waste volumes.
PLANT TEAM,
CHRISTMAS CREEK
Instead of throwing away old oil filters into
special waste bins at Christmas Creek, they are
now being crushed using an oil filter crushing
machine (which is now also being used at
other Downer Mining sites).
BENEFITS:
n Reduction in waste disposal costs
nIncreased amount of waste oil for recycling
on site
nIncreased rebate received from oil sold to
third party for recycling.
Do you have an idea to make our business an even better one?
Complete a 2 for 20 form and either e-mail it to 2for20@downergroup.com,
hand it to your Site Clerk or place it in one of the 2 for 20 suggestion boxes on site.
4
Mining Matters October – December 2014
UNDERGROUND MINING
TEAM, COSMO DEEPS
In departure from past practice, the
Underground Mining team purchased all their
gear from one OEM - Sandvik - rather than
from multiple suppliers.
BENEFITS:
n Improved buying power
nCost-efficiencies for spare parts and servicing
nEquipment knowledge efficiencies from
working with a single OEM.
PARTNERSHIP GOOD AS GOLD
I
n the 10 months since we started
our two-year, $70 million mining and
development contract with Crocodile
Gold Corp at the Cosmo Deeps
underground mine in the Northern
Territory, safety performance has
improved, costs have reduced and record
stope production has been achieved.
Crocodile Gold’s General Manager
Northern Territory Operations, Jason
Morin, said that these results could largely
be attributed to the strong relationship
between the two companies.
“Downer Mining has brought
a wealth of experience with them;
however, it has been their willingness
to understand our business and to
work closely with us that has made the
difference,” he said.
“Right from the start, they have
worked with us on our most important
goal – the safety of our people.
“We have also been able to work
together efficiently to resolve any issues
that arise as part of any project delivery.
The partnership we have with Downer
Mining is beyond what we had hoped and
expected.”
Our GM Underground, Mark Roderick,
agreed that having common goals has
been critical to success.
“From the beginning, we have been
aligned on the project goals, including
Zero Harm, a value we live by each and
every day at Downer Mining and at
Cosmo Deeps.
“We know that every employee
is unique and that each one plays
a significant part in the success of
our business. We also recognise that
work-related and non-work-related
pressures and challenges can negatively
impact people’s health, well-being
and productivity. That’s why we have
a dedicated Health Advisor on site to
provide early support,” Mark said.
“We’re also focussed on building
strong and trusting relationships with our
customers, supply partners and employees.
And, as we have experienced at Cosmo
Deeps, this leads to a solid understanding
of an operation, which enables us to deliver
tailored solutions that add value.”
We have mobilised a brand-new
Sandvik fleet at the Cosmo Deeps Project.
Working hand-in-hand with the equipment
manufacturer, and benefitting from their
extensive knowledge and experience,
has enabled the team to maximise new
technology and innovation to design a fitfor-purpose fleet for the mine.
“As Sandvik’s equipment is designed to
work together for optimum performance,
using one manufacturer has the added
– and rather important – benefit of
enhancing productivity on site,” Mark said.
Mining Matters October – December 2014
5
ZERO HARM
A SAFE AND
SOUND SUMMER
T
he summer months can be
some of the busiest of the year
and, with so much going on, it’s
no wonder we sometimes become
distracted from the task at hand. But
when there are potentially harmful
hazards involved, making sure we
stay focussed is crucial.
Health Advisor – Employee
Support, Donna Viner, has a few
handy hints to help us manage
stress and distractions during the
festive season:
 A
ssign time during your day to
think about the things that aren’t
related to your task. For example,
use your crib break to think about
some positive plans for when you
get home. You may want to write
them down. When it’s time to go
back to work, clear your mind of
any other thoughts and resume
your focus on performing the
task safely.
Drawing competition winner, Con,
with his dad, Heavy Equipment
Operator, Laurence Curtain, and his
prize pack, which contained a Hitachi
back pack, hat and little model truck
and $50 gift voucher.
KEEPING THE PROMISE AT MEANDU
W
hat do you say to your friends and family when you leave for work? Do you
promise to return home safely? And if you didn’t, what effect would this have on
those around you? It’s these questions that inspired Meandu’s new safety campaign,
‘Keep the promise’, pivotal to which is a movie written, directed and produced by the
Meandu team.
The video follows an employee as he goes about his day on the mine. It’s his daughter’s
birthday, and he’s eager to get home in time for her party. In his haste, he takes several
shortcuts that nearly result in breaches of our 10 Cardinal Rules.
The concept was developed by Senior Mining Engineer, Willem Steenkamp, and the
storyline created by HR Superintendent, Chrys McDuffie, and Risk and Compliance Advisor,
Troy O’Riley.
“We are always working to improve our safety culture, so we felt that a personalised
campaign with a theme that would resonate with everyone would help us to achieve this,”
Chrys explained.
“Making the movie was a little confronting and challenging at times; however, there was
a sense of ownership and camaraderie, as everyone was focussed on doing the best job
they could. Seeing the end product made everyone involved feel really proud, and it was
great to see employees embracing their co-workers’ performances.”
In addition to the video, the campaign included posters, electronic noticeboard
messages, a children’s drawing competition and a guest speaker, Rodney Vagg. Rodney
shared his story about how ignoring a workplace safety sign resulted in him being
wheelchair-bound for life.
Five-year-old Con Curtain used both his artistic talents and the knowledge he gained
from his dad about how to keep safe at work to win first place in the drawing competition.
“All competition entrants did a great job of illustrating elements of health and
safety; however, Con’s featured a long list of relevant controls, including PPE, radio use,
demarcation, isolation and signage. And at only five years old, his entry was a superb effort,”
said Chrys.
6
Mining Matters October – December 2014
 K
eep a healthy routine, which
includes getting plenty of sleep,
nutritious food and exercise.
These can get lost in the hustle
and bustle of the festive season.
 I f you find that your phone, e-mail
or other technology distracts
you from a task, put them to one
side and only check them at predetermined intervals.
 W
rite a ‘to do’ list that is not too
ambitious. You may want to
narrow your tasks down to one
thing you could actually complete
in the next 24 hours. Or filter the
list into things you can control or
complete, breaking it into small
manageable ‘chunks’.
 Take time out for hobbies or
other interests. These lower stress
levels or help ‘let off steam’.
 D
on’t get lost in the ‘what
if’; instead, focus on what is
happening right now.
And remember, help is always
available if you are feeling
overwhelmed, anxious or depressed.
Call our EAP on 1300 360 364 to book
a confidential appointment with a
mental health professional or contact
a community support organisation,
such as Lifeline on 13 11 14, who
are available 24 hours a day,
seven days a week.
SOME CHRISTMAS SAFETY TIPS
FROM OUR PEOPLE
“When driving on
long trips be sure
to
take a 15-minute res
t every two hours
and don’t ignore th
e signs of fatigue.”
Anthony Lancian
o, Otraco Site
Manager, Mt Wha
leback
“Safety doesn’t end at work.
Keep safe at home over the
festive season.”
Nerada Spellacy,
Site Administrator,
Cosmo Deeps
“Keep healthy at Ch
ristmas, so you
and your family ca
n enjoy it together.
”
Joe Walali, Unde
rground Miner,
OK Tedi
and drive.”
“Don’t drink
rew,
is, Service C
Steven Will
ps
Cosmo Dee
“Don’t jump
into
the shallow
end of
a pool while
having
a few drinks
at Christmas
time.”
Nicholas D
u g g a n , Co
ll
is
io
Avoidance
n
Installer, C
ommodore
“Be safe with your loved ones over
Christmas and come back to work in
one piece.”
Clem Baldwin, Project Manager,
Commodore
“Protecting your eyes from the sun is
just as important as wearing a hat
and sunscreen.”
Alannah Wigg, Environment
Graduate, Brisbane
g to church at
“If you are travellin
that you and
Christmas, be sure
l safely.”
your family trave
an, OK Tedi
Joe Yakulu, Storem
“Summer is the season for barbeques,
so make sure you have a fire
extinguisher handy for those ‘it’ll never
happen’ moments… like the time your
husband tried to put out a fat fire with
a bucket of water.”
Jacqui Schultz, Senior Legal
Counsel, South Brisbane
“Relax, recharge
and find some tim
e
for yourself, and
importantly, neve
r
stop controlling th
e critical risks
around you, such
as keeping an eye
on your kids when
you are at the
beach or the pool.
”
Mike Boyle, EGM Ze
ro Harm, Brisbane
“If you are working, be sure to work
safely so that you can celebrate with
your families on your next break.”
Ian Ivanga, Cubex Drill Fitter/
Trainee Driller, OK Tedi
.”
to family
o home
g
d
n
a
fe
k
“Work sa
aul Truc
ar thy, H
C
c
M
e
Wayn
o De eps
r, Cosm
Operato
“My son do
esn’t have an
y input into
our workpla
ce safety ru
les, but he h
the biggest
as
influence o
n my workp
safety behav
lace
iour. Please
be safe this
holiday per
iod, if not fo
r yourself,
do it for you
r family.”
Jared Broo
ke, Site Su
pervisor,
Paraburdo
o
Mining Matters October – December 2014
7
OUR COMMUNITIES
UPSKILLING
DOWNUNDER
I
n her first trip to Australia, OK Tedi Senior
Administration Officer, Sandy Yetiman, made
some interesting discoveries. “Not only did I
upgrade my PMS and JDE database system
skills, I also got up close and personal with
some Australian wildlife for the very first
time on a trip to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary,”
said Sandy.
Sandy has worked at our OK Tedi project in
PNG for five years. She looks after travel, data
entry, purchasing and invoicing, and provides
assistance to the safety team. Due to the
remote location of the site, it made sense for
Sandy to come to Brisbane to undertake the
training needed for her role.
“The trip to Brisbane meant that not
only was I trained in PMS and JDE, I was
given the opportunity to learn about HR,
underground and exploration drilling specific
procurement, INX and safety, payroll, Concur
and general underground exploration drilling
administration,” Sandy said.
“Having Sandy visit head office for training
meant she could learn face-to-face from the
people she has been dealing with by phone
and email for many years. It’s a good example
of our commitment to upskilling our PNG
National employees,” said Operational Support
Manager, Scott Bell.
POUNDING THE PAVEMENT FOR CHARITY
S
upport for the Bridge to Brisbane fun run was as strong as ever, with 100 Downer
Mining employees and family members pounding the pavement this September to
raise funds for Queensland charities.
We pay the entry fees as part of our Enhancing Workforce Health program, which aims
to encourage good health and well-being through regular exercise and a balanced diet.
And as the entry fees go into a pool of funds that supports over 500 charity beneficiaries,
it’s a win-win for all involved.
Participants competed in either the five or 10km event, which took them to
landmarks such as the Gateway Bridge and the RNA Showground.
The Bridge to Brisbane event has raised over $6.2 million for charity since 1997.
60 SECONDS WITH SANDY
How has your role changed since you
started working for Downer Mining?
Since I began working at OK Tedi I have
progressed from a Site Clerk to a Senior
Administration Officer.
What do you like most about your job?
I like learning how to use new systems
that help to improve things. The recent
trip to Brisbane was great, as I got to learn
how to use JDE face-to-face, which made
learning so much easier. I can now take
these skills back with me and train the
other people in my team.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in the town of Tabubil with my
mother, father and three siblings.
What languages do you speak?
Our local dialect language known as Mother
Tongue, Tok Pisin (Pidgin) and English.
What do you do in your spare time?
I love bushwalking. There is lots of rainforest to
explore, and animals such as birds, snakes and
spiders to see.
What was your favourite meal while
in Australia?
Rump steak with hot chips and
tomato sauce.
Just a handful of the employees who participated.
8
Mining Matters October – December 2014
SHOOTING HOOPS IN
FITZROY CROSSING
G
arnduwa is a Goodiyandi
Aboriginal word meaning ‘big
mob of people coming together
to do something’, and that’s
exactly what happened in October,
when tourists and locals came
together in Fitzroy Crossing for the
Smarter than Smoking Garnduwa
Basketball Festival.
Pictured at the festival are (from left) Mike Sutton, Bevan Whitby, Barry Criddle, Garnduwa Festival
Chairperson, Marmingee, and Senior Kimberley Program Manager, Michael Albert.
As part of our ongoing relationship
with the Fitzroy Crossing community,
we donated $10,000 to sponsor one
of the women’s games – the Downer
Mining Cup. We were well represented
at the festival, with COO West, Mike
Sutton, GM Operations, Barry Criddle,
and Indigenous Affairs Superintendent,
Bevan Whitby, making the trek up to
check out the three-day event.
Twenty-five teams took part from all
over the Kimberley region, competing
in temperatures that reached
45 degrees. Even our trio wasn’t left in
the shade, with Mike, Barry and Bevan
jumping up in the game breaks to
play footy and shoot hoops with the
local kids.
We were proud to be a sponsor of
such a great festival and hope to be
back next year.
OVER $10,000 RAISED FOR SMILING FOR SMIDDY
T
rt
Kurt Baumga
ll (left) and
.
avid Overa
D
ue
eq
ith
w
rb
in
ba
Ia
g
e fundraisin
(right) at th
he Commodore team and the wider Downer Mining community have once again
got behind their team mate, Iain Cory, to help him raise money on his Smiling
for Smiddy bike challenges – two long-distance bike rides to raise money for cancer
research and support services.
The Smiling for Smiddy organisation was set up after physiotherapist and triathlete,
Adam Smiddy, died from an aggressive melanoma in 2006, and to date the organisation
has raised more than $5 million for Mater Hospital’s cancer research and support.
Iain, who is a Leading Hand at Commodore, completed his first challenge in May,
with a three-day, 580km ride from Brisbane to Warwick and back, and the second,
an eight-day, 1,600km ride from Brisbane to Townsville, took place in August
and September.
Forty-eight riders and 15 road crew took part in the Brisbane to Townsville
ride, where riders averaged 200km a day in temperatures ranging from one to 38
degrees. Along the way, riders made stop-offs to talk to school students about
the importance of looking after yourself in the sun.
Iain said the challenge had been worthwhile in more ways than one: “It is the
people that make these experiences, and together we have made memories to
last a lifetime.”
Our Commodore team also joined the fundraising efforts by holding a
barbecue, at which CEO, David Overall, and COO Open Cut East, Kurt Baumgart,
were on hand to donate a further $2,250 from Downer Mining to the $1,232
raised by a raffle and the barbecue.
“A big thanks goes to Downer Mining and all the people who donated.
Your generosity helped me push past my goal of raising $10,000, with $10,600
raised so far for the Mater Hospital in Brisbane, ” Iain said.
You can still donate to Iain’s challenge at: https://smiddychallenge2014.
everydayhero.com/au/iain. All donations over $2 are tax deductable.
Mining Matters October – December 2014
9
OUR COMMUNITIES
Downer Mining Services Managers presented this year’s cheque for $50,000 to The Smith Family’s Relationship Manager –
Corporate Partnerships, Megan Cairney. Pictured with Megan are (from left): GM Underground, Mark Roderick;
Group GM Sustainable Development, Ross Browning; GM Otraco, Alistair Swanson; EGM Blasting Services, Paul Cassano;
and COO, Peter Newman.
THE SMITH FAMILY PARTNERSHIP – ONE YEAR IN
I
t’s been a year since we began our three-year, $150,000 partnership with The Smith Family – Australia’s leading education-oriented
charity. The following have been some of the highlights of the past 12 months:
n O
ur $50,000 donation contributed to the organisation’s Learning for Life program, which aims to help disadvantaged children
and young people gain an education by providing emotional, practical and financial support. This year the program was
delivered to over 36,000 students nationally.
n In November 2013, employees donated over 350 gifts and over $650 in funds to The Smith Family Christmas Toy and Book
Appeal, and volunteered their time to wrap gifts.
n In March 2014, we were the first Australian mining company to pilot the Work Inspiration program – an innovative work
experience program developed in the UK and brought to Australia by The Smith Family. The program was well received by
students and employees, with 80% of students saying they would likely change their subject choice based on what they had
learned through participating in the program.
The year ahead holds more gift giving and wrapping, another Work Inspiration program, and the opportunity for Downer Mining
Services employees to participate in the iTrack Online Mentoring program through which, for an hour a week, they can mentor a high
school student from a low socio-economic area.
MOUNT WHALEBACK GOES PINK FOR BREAST CANCER AWARENESS
H
10
ere’s a photo to brighten your day! The Otraco team at Mount Whaleback were pictured rocking pink shirts to support the
Breast Cancer Foundation during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.
Mining Matters October – December 2014
FOOD RESCUERS DELIVER
THE GOODS
S
Pictured with carts full of rescued fresh food are (from left): HR Administrator, Deanne Perham,
HR Manager, Lyndon Joyce, Environment Officer, Carla Mohfaud, Regional Safety Manager,
Lance Matthews, Injury Management Coordinator, Pegah Ittehadi, and Senior Recruitment Advisor,
Glen Exten.
ix of our super-efficient employees took
on an important job recently, helping our
community investment partner, Food Rescue,
collect fresh, nutritious food for hungry and
disadvantaged people in need. In just over two
hours, not only did they salvage delicious food
that would have been thrown out, they signed
up four new food providers – a great effort for
our first-time Food Rescue volunteers.
HR Administrator, Deanne Perham, said
the exercise was simple yet satisfying.
“We were given instructions, and then
sent out to locations with a refrigerated food
cart to retrieve goods from various food
eateries and return them to Food Rescue.
Being able to have a hands-on experience
through volunteering rather than just
donating was great.
“I like that Food Rescue collects unwanted
food and returns it to the community. It’s a
great feeling knowing that we are reducing
waste and putting these items to good use,”
said Deanne.
Senior Recruitment Advisor, Glen Exten,
said it was also a great opportunity for
him to set an example to his children, and
Environment Officer, Carla Mohfaud, added
that it was a good way to meet other people
in the company.
Pictured are (back row from left):
CPL Regional Manager-South West, Stewart
McCauley; Clem Baldwin; Downer Mining
Maintenance Manager, Daniel Waters.
(middle row from left): CPL Service Access
Facilitator-Support in the Community, Rachel
Hellyer; CPL Support Worker-Support in the
Community, Henry Vueyaunzi; Chantell Logan;
Corporate Relationships Manager-CPL New
Farm, Brendan McGufficke.
(front row from left): CPL clients, Andrew
Wessling and Shannon Overton.
WASTE METAL DOES WONDERS
O
‘
ne man’s trash is another man’s treasure’ is certainly true when it comes to the Cerebral Palsy League’s (CPL) Metal for Mobility program.
By getting on board, our Commodore team has raised $8,000 to buy a mobile shower and bath trolley for CPL’s Toowoomba Centre.
The program involves companies donating the proceeds from scrap metal sales to CPL, who invests them in therapies, equipment and new
technologies to make easier the lives of those living with cerebral palsy.
CPL Support in the Community Manager, Chantell Logan, said: “People with cerebral palsy can have difficulty with speech, movement and
posture, and therefore require specialised equipment for day-to-day living. This new shower and bath trolley is critical for the personal care of our
clients. It has an improved design, including a built-in tilt system that benefits both the clients and the carers.”
According to Commodore Project Manager, Clem Baldwin, the benefits don’t stop there.
“The Metal for Mobility program is an opportunity to engage with our employees and promote environmental sustainability through metal recycling.
“We now have our sights firmly set on purchasing more critical equipment for the CPL Toowoomba branch,” Clem said.
Mining Matters October – December 2014
11
MARVELLOUS MOUSTACHES
FOR MEN’S HEALTH
A FEW OF OUR MO-NIFICIENT MO BROS!
T
here were some marvellous moustaches in our
workplaces in November, and it’s not because
they have come back into fashion. Ninety-nine of
our male employees took part in the ‘movember’
movement, committing 30 days of moustache or
beard growing as a way to inspire conversations
and raise funds for programs that help men
affected by prostate cancer, testicular cancer and
mental health issues.
For Christmas Creek Maintenance Leading
Hand, Christopher McGovern, growing a mo was
especially meaningful.
“My father passed away from prostate
cancer, and it has also affected two other family
members, so raising funds for research, and
helping people to understand that it’s not a
scary thing to get a check-up and talk about your
health, is important to me,” Christopher said.
The community in which Senior
Organisational Development Officer, Tom
Cleghorn, lives has experienced two suicides and
one attempted suicide in the past 18 months,
which was a motivating factor for him to support
the cause.
“I wanted to contribute something, even if it’s
being the class clown for a month to raise some
money to fund research or support programs,”
said Tom.
UED Engineering and Tendering Manager,
Scott Indian, said growing a mo is actually more
challenging than it looks. “The hardest thing
about growing a mo was trying to maintain an
amicable relationship with my wife.”
Being able to have a laugh while supporting
a serious cause is part of what makes Movember
so effective.
“It’s a fun way to emphasise a serious
cause,”said UED Plant Estimator, Matt McDonald.
Production Driller, Kris Ludwig, took his
mo-growing mission to another level this
year, carving out a pair of kangaroos - a look
that caught the attention of The Northern
Territory News.
You can read the story No roo-grets as Kris goes
mo-supial online at www.ntnews.com.au
Otraco team members (from left) Regional Manager Western Region,
David Gunther, Commercial Manager, Greg Keane, Area Manager, Robert Dick,
HSE Superintendent, Ryan Wynch and Business Development Manager,
Ethan Winterbourn, dressed up their mos for a fundraising morning tea.
elopment
ional Dev
Organisat
n, Perth.
or
h
g
m Cle
Officer, To
Produ
Kris Lud c tion Driller,
wig, Co
smo De
e ps .
ator,
UED Plant Estim
Matt McDonald,
Brisbane.
Pictured from
left are Mec
ha
Sam Farhan
d, Maintenan nical Engineer,
ce Leading
Christopher
Hand,
McGovern,
and M
Superintend
ent, Jason M aintenance
the Christm
illigan, from
as Creek Mai
ntenance te
am.
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12
Mining Matters October – December 2014