Miners and their families raise their ‘Voice for Mining’

Hunter Stadium was a sea of fluro today as more than 5000 miners and their families donned their high visibility gear and joined thousands of Newcastle Knights members and fans to become Voices for Mining at the home game between the Knights and the Storm.

The Voice for Mining Family day formed part of the NSW Minerals Council’sVoice for Mining campaign (voiceformining.com.au) to showcase support for mining in the Hunter, especially among the 15,300 miners who live and work in the region.

Heavy mining equipment and vehicles, including underground ‘mine cruisers,’ were on display outside the stadium. The Westpac Rescue Helicopter, sponsored by the NSW Minerals Council, landed on the ground prior to the game, giving miners and Knights fans a chance to thank Westpac Rescue staff and crews for the valuable work they do.

Five lucky fans wearing high visibility gear were picked out from the crowd and awarded a getaway for two in Sydney.

Newcastle Knights CEO, Matt Gidley said the Knights were pleased to host the Voice for Mining Family Day, as many current and former Knights players have been or are currently involved in the mining industry.

“I am proud the Knights players, members and fans were able to stand side-by-side with mining workers to show their support to the industry in the Hunter. Mining in the Hunter is a community-based industry and provides an income for thousands of families who live in and contribute to their local community up and down the Valley,” Gidley said.

“The Knights have a proud connection to local mining in the Hunter. Over the years many of our players or their families have worked in the industry and continue to do so,” he said.

NSW Minerals Council CEO, Stephen Galilee said that the Voice for Mining Family Day showed that local mining families enjoy wide support in the community.

“Most people in the Hunter understand that mining delivers jobs and investment to the Hunter, as well as being one of the three crucial pillars that support the region’s economy along with agriculture and tourism,” Mr Galilee said.

“The Voice for Mining Family Day was a great show of support for mining in the Hunter and helped thousands of local miners and their families stand up and be counted as valuable members of their local community,” Mr Galilee said.

To become a voice for mining, sign up at voiceformining.com.au.