November 25, 2024
There were lots of memories shared on Saturday about the good ol’ days when coal was the undisputed king of Rio Tinto’s mining portfolio in Queensland.
The global mining group operated the Meandu coal mine at Tarong from 1983 to 2007, powering the Tarong Power Station (and from 2002, Tarong North).
During that time hundred of employees worked at the mine, with many settling permanently in the South Burnett.
It’s been about a dozen years since a reunion of these Tarong Coal employees was held, something which a small organising committee decided to fix at the weekend.
On Saturday, at least 200 people gathered at the Kingaroy & District Vintage Machinery Club grounds for an overdue get-together to swap memories.
Kingaroy Lions Club looked after the catering while the Vintage Machinery Club handled the bar.
The reunion committee also organised a coffee van and an ice cream van.
One of the organisers, Patty Winters, said many of the former workmates kept in touch via Facebook which made rounding up the crowd easier.
Photos from the old days at Tarong Coal were shown on a monitor inside the Vintage Machinery clubhouse.
Patty said the organisers would like to thank the South Burnett Regional Council for sponsoring the marquees and skip bins.
Footnote: Rio Tinto sold off its last remaining coal assets in Queensland in 2018.
