New funding is now available to Central Queensland community groups and not-for-profit organisations in the Moranbah, Middlemount, Moura, Banana and Theodore areas through Anglo American’s 2024 Community Grants Program.
Anglo American Australia CEO Dan van der Westhuizen said the company was committed to supporting the development of thriving communities in the Bowen Basin.
“The annual Community Grants Program is a vital avenue to ensure mining benefits are shared with local people, communities and economies in the areas where Anglo American operates,” he said.
“We’re committed to making a genuine difference by delivering sustainable value that makes a real difference now and in the future.
“We achieve this by actively backing projects that enhance people's livelihoods — improving health and wellbeing, employment, skills, and education — and fostering positive, long-term change for all stakeholders."
In 2023, 53 groups across Anglo American’s operational footprint shared in more than $562,000 in community grants funding for local sustainable development initiatives.
Moura State High School was among those recipients, receiving $13,340 toward its Australian Business Week Program and Year 12 leadership camp – as well as installing four yarning circles.
Moura State High School Year 7 and 8 co-ordinator Doug Finlay said the yarning circles were officially opened in February with a traditional smoking ceremony and welcome to country gathering.
He said the yarning circle idea came about as the school had been working closely with Hugh van Cuylenburg and The Resilience Project.
Anglo American, which operates five steelmaking coal mines across the Bowen Basin, began a partnership with the project in 2023 to help introduce resilience practices into schools across Moranbah, Middlemount and Moura.
“It made sense to have areas around our school where we could have a safe, positive space to engage in gratitude, empathy and mindfulness,” Mr Finlay said.
“Together with the Gangulu elders and Anglo American, we created four outdoor spaces for our students, parents and teachers to engage in conversations and social interactions – basically, to have a yarn.
“The circles were named using traditional language encompassing listening to one another, coming to sit and to look at oneself.
“The yarning circles have been actively used for classes, social gatherings and school events.”
Applications for Anglo American’s 2024 Community Grants Program are open from 1 March 2023 to 31 March 2024.
For more information and to apply, visit the Community page on our website.
The successful applicants of the 2023 Community Grants Program include:
Moranbah
RACQ CQ Rescue Helicopter, Mackay Hospital Foundation, Moranbah Bowls Club, 4RFM Community Radio Station, Moranbah Junior Motorcross, Greater Whitsunday Alliance, Isaac Regional Charity Fund, Rainbow Collective, Hinterland Community Care, Oasis Life Church, Moranbah NAIDOC Committee, Moranbah Junior Golf, Moranbah Tennis Association, Moranbah Touch Football Association, Moranbah East State School, Moranbah State School, Legends of League.
Middlemount
Capricorn Rescue Helicopter Service, CTM Links, Middlemount Race Club, Middlemount Youth Services, Middlemount Community School, Barada Barna Corporation, Middlemount Community Sports Association - Swim Club, Middlemount Community Sports Association - Gym Fit, Middlemount Panthers Junior Rugby League Club, Moranbah and District Support Services, Middlemount Community Sports Association - Cricket, Middlemount Community Sports Association - Box Gully Trail Run, AG PTY LTD, Middlemount Golf and Country Club, Middlemount Community Sports Association - Tennis, Mulligrubs Playgroup.
Moura, Banana and Theodore
Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service, Moura Coal and Country Festival, Moura State High School, Theodore Council of the Ageing, Theodore Chamber of Commerce, Theodore State School P&C Association - Trail Ride Committee, Moura Retirement Village, Moura State School, Bush Baby Wildlife Rescue, Banana State School, Theodore Show Society, Moura Tennis Club, Moura Chamber of Commerce, Banana and District Community Association, Theodore Junior Roosters Rugby League Club, Theodore Touch Association, Moura Hack and Pony Club, Callide Dawson Beef Carcass Competition Committee, Theodore Early Childhood Centre Association, Moura Playgroup, Banana Sports Committee, Moura Fish Stocking Group.