Community heroes recognised for tireless support

Two of the Hunter’s hard working community volunteers will be honoured as part of the this year’s Voice for Mining Family Day on the 28th March, when the Newcastle Knights take on the Panthers at Hunter Stadium.

Joe and Margaret Matthews have been tireless supporters of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service, raising more than $1.6 million over the past 15 years through the Black Coal Cup Golf Day and the Black Coal Ball in Muswellbrook.

“This year we will recognise the ongoing hard work of Joe and Margaret at the Voice for Mining Family Day, when they fly the match ball into Hunter Stadium on the Westpac Rescue Helicopter at half time during the NYC game,” NSW Minerals Council CEO Stephen Galilee said.

“We are deeply honoured to be flying on the chopper after 15 years of support. We are big fans of the Newcastle Knights – Margaret absolutely adores them – and strong supporters of our region’s coal miners, we will be cheering for both at the Voice for Mining Family Day,” Joe Matthews said.

Joe and Margaret will also be joined on the chopper by the two lucky Newcastle Knights fans who win the major prize of a NSW Mining promotion on Newcastle’s 102.9 KO FM. Tickets to the game will be given away in the week of the game on KO FM and one lucky winner will be upgraded to VIPs, arriving to the game in style on the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.

NSW Minerals Council CEO, Stephen Galilee said that the Hunter mining industry in particular owed a debt of gratitude to the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.

“The NSW Minerals Council has supported the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service for over thirty years. This long-lasting partnership has stood the test of time because the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service and its dedicated staff are so valued by the whole community.

“We are proud to help keep the Service in our skies so that they can provide people in the Hunter, including our mining employees, help when they need it most,” Mr Galilee said.

Photo: Muswellbrook Chronicle

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Chris Rath