LEAD Action News
LEAD Action News vol 11 Number 2, December 2010, ISSN 1324-6011
Incorporating Lead Aware Times (ISSN 1440-4966) & Lead Advisory Service News (ISSN 1440-0561)
The journal of The LEAD (Lead Education and Abatement Design) Group Inc.
Guest Editor, Dr Chrissie Pickin. Editor-in-Chief: Anne Roberts

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Seventy-five Years Of Mining In Rosebery

By John Powell, Engagement Manager, MMG

The Rosebery ore body was discovered in November, 1893, by Tom McDonald. Various attempts were made over the following years to bring the mine into commercial operation. But it wasn’t until February, 1936, that full production began, with the commencement of concentrator operations and the transport of metal concentrates to the Port of Burnie, via the Emu Bay Railway.

The mine and mill have been in continuous operation since that time, and are considered vital to the economic success of the town.

The Rosebery mine has a very close association with the community, both physically and socially.  For almost 75 years, there has been a symbiotic relationship between the mine, its staff and the community...and that continues today.

The mine has, in the past, provided sporting facilities, playgrounds, halls and other facilities. They remain in use in the township. Today the focus is on health, education, business development and community “events”.

The current owner, MMG, financially supports the Community Health Centre; the Rosebery Festival (an annual event held each February); the Rosebery Heritage Centre; arts and craft activities; and local sporting clubs, including sponsorship of the Rosebery Athletics Carnival, the Tullah Challenge, and major sponsorship of the local Rosebery Toorak Football Club.

Eatwell TasmaniaThe company also provides assistance for employees’ children for further education; two scholarships for West Coast children at the Tasmanian Academy’s Hellyer Campus in Burnie; sponsors the Tasmanian Ballet & Community Outreach Program for West Coast Schools, along with the Men’s Health Forum and Women’s Health Day held on the West Coast; and participates in and sponsors the West Coast All Schools Tree Day. There are many other organisations which also benefit from contributions from MMG.

On the education front, MMG provides fruit and hand wipes to each of the schools in the region, to encourage health and hygiene within the community. A bonus activity occurred in August when MMG sponsored the schools in an Eat Well Tasmania healthy menu competition.

With the support of a chef from Melbourne, 13 children aged between seven and 15 prepared and cooked a four-course menu which they then served to community leaders including the West Coast Mayor, Darryl Gerrity; the two school principals Alex Downes and Peter McBain; and the MMG General Manager John Lamb.

From a broader community aspect, John Lamb provides “State of the Nation” addresses to the community every three months and MMG will soon open a ‘shopfront’ in the Main Street. This will be managed by MMG Rosebery Stakeholder Relations Officer, Christine Winskill, and will offer the community immediate and easy access to information on all of MMG’s operations and activities.

The broad management team within the mine operations has also formed a One Rosebery Leadership Team which raises funds for community developments and participates in regular activities within the township, e.g. refurbishing bus shelters etc.

As the mine approaches its 75th anniversary in February next year, MMG plans to mark the occasion with official celebrations, designed to include the entire Rosebery community. Activities planned for the anniversary include an official reception, to be attended by Federal and State politicians, officials from China Minmetals Corporation (the Shanghai-based owner of MMG), senior management of MMG, local identities and other industry representatives.

Eatwell Tasmania Contestants
Eat Well Tasmania contestants

An open day is also planned at the mine site for members of the public, on Saturday, February 19, in conjunction with the Annual Rosebery Festival.

The Festival activities, running over both Saturday and Sunday, will include:

  • An MMG Open Day (Saturday);

  • An Art Exhibition;

  • A poetry/short story competition;

  • An MMG-sponsored Festival parade in the Main Street (evening);

  • An amusements area and food plaza;

  • Musical entertainment; and

  • A health promotion marquee (DHHS & MMG).

The event is regarded as an important occasion for the community, the region, past and present mine employees, as well as tourists, and all have been invited to attend and support the festivities.

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Last Updated 24 January 2012
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