When major shutdown works occur, the mining company looks to try and tie this into some form of fundraising activity.  

With this year's raw coal shutdown being in July, Bengalla took the opportunity to seek a local charity that it could support.

Coal Handling and Preparation Plant superintendent Russell Hartin, having attended a recent information night at the local high school for Where there's a Will, suggested the not-for-profit organisation.

“Being a local charity the funds stay in the local area and go towards helping the young people of our community build skills to be more resilient,” he explained.

“They also run great programs for parents and teachers to understand the pressures that our young people face and give them some of the tools to help them understand.”

With the major task for this shutdown being to replace a feeder breaker, Bengalla approached Komatsu/Joy Global as they were the major supplier for the component being changed out. 

Komatsu/Joy Global was more than happy to get on board with the efforts to raise funds for this worthy charity.

The shutdown was to remove a feeder breaker that had been in service since Bengalla mine began with Komatsu/Joy Global engaged to construct a new one.

At the end of the 26-day shutdown, two cheques were provided to Where there’s a Will, being $10,000 from Bengalla and $5000 from Komatsu/Joy Global.

“We are very excited to continue our partnership with Bengalla and to support a very worthwhile cause: the Where there’s a Will Foundation,” Komatsu general manager AU – crushing & conveyors Neil Jackson said.

“We very much believe in working together to remove the stigmas associated with mental health and providing the community with the resources they need to persevere on the path to emotional wellness.”

Where there’s a Will co-founder Pauline Carrigan was delighted to receive the generous donation from both Bengalla and Komatsu/Joy Global.

“These funds are so very important to maintain the support of positive education in our schools and greater community who are all working together to make prevention of mental ill health our preferred pathway,” she said.

“We would love to thank Bengalla for the honour of having our Where there's a Will tree on the new coal crusher, a reminder to all the Bengalla employees and their families that we are working together to improve the wellbeing of all.

“While we as a charity always welcome the donations, it is the partnerships we are developing across the Upper Hunter that will prove to be the strength of this project. 

“Where there's a Will is a charity that is owned by this community, funded by this community, funding that stays here and works here.”