Members from Rio Tinto’s original 1983 crew at Meandu pose under the reunion sign

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.      

Three of the originals … Laura Langan, Caloundra (1983-1997); Henry Seears, Nanango; and Ron Hunt, Kingaroy (1983-1991)
Roxanne Frohloff, Hervey Bay; Rob Mackenzie, Port Macquarie; Mark Caswell, Kingaroy; Bernie Pegrem, Kingaroy; and Robyn Herrmann, Kingaroy
Reunion organisers … Patty Winters, Kingaroy; Laura Langan, Caloundra; Craig Hardy, Bill Winters, Gaylene Gosney, all from Kingaroy; and Henry Seears, Nanango
The wives didn’t miss out on catching up, either … Marie Cornell, Sunshine Coast; Deb Mackenzie, Port Macquarie; and Lorrie Pegrem, Kingaroy
Rowley Cornell, from the Sunshine Coast, spent 22 years with Rio Tinto, including 11 with Tarong Coal; Oscar Groeneveld, from the Gold Coast, spent 33 years with Rio and 6½ years with Tarong
Kingaroy Lions Club members Denise Ross and Leonie Macfarlane were working hard in the canteen area
There was a lot of reminiscing happening inside the Vintage Machinery Club’s shed!

 

One Response to "Old Coal Mates Swap Stories"

  1. Thanks Laura what a wonderful weekend. Really appreciated your support in organising such a great event. See you soon. Marie and Rowley.

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