Community & Business
21 July, 2025
150k to community groups
New Acland Coal’s efforts to connect with the Oakey community have seen $150,000 donated to community organisations over the past two years.
The Oakey Men’s Shed is one of many such groups.
Under the watchful eye of president, John Greenhalgh the group makes and repairs furniture for individuals and businesses around town.
“We do everything, and we’re pretty dedicated to tackling anything that comes through the door,” Mr Greenhalgh said.
“I’ve been involved right from the start. I lost my wife a number of years ago. If it hadn’t been for the Men’s Shed, I don’t know what I would have done.
“I take work home on the weekends to keep me going.
“I like to help the public as much as I can.
“Right from the word go, New Acland Coal has been a big supporter of the Men’s Shed, with most of the power tools purchased through grants from the mine.
“It’s terrific, the mine supports the whole community really.
“I don’t think the Men’s Shed would exist without New Acland Coal’s support.”
Officially opened in 1932, the Gowrie Little Plain Community Centre would have likely deteriorated years ago had it not been for a passionate committee led by Barry and Shirley Heinemann and support from various local groups, including New Acland Coal and Toowoomba Regional Council.
“The hall hasn’t always been this good,” Mr Heinemann said.
“I joined the committee in 2015 and started getting a lot of grants. Over the past decade, the hall has pretty much been completely refurbished, front to back and inside and out.
“The hall hosts old time dances twice a month and dozens of country music concerts throughout the year.
“Without the support of the mine and various local groups, the hall would be shut, like so many others throughout the district which don’t operate anymore.”
The Gowrie Little Plain Community Centre recently received another $6,000 grant from the New Acland Coal Community Investment Fund, which will be spent constructing a permanent wall within the hall.
NAC General Manager, Dave O’Dwyer said the mine is proud to support the community via a range of projects, partnerships and in-kind support.
“The New Acland Coal Community Investment Fund supports a wide range of community projects and initiatives in the towns and regions surrounding New Acland Mine,” he said.
The funding milestone comes as the Mine argues to the Office of the Co-ordinator General that it should no longer have to build a rail loop from Jondaryan to Acland, given that Stage 3 is set to end next decade.
The Oakey Coal Action Alliance and some Regional Councillors say more protections are needed against the spread of coal dust into Jondaryan township from piles if loading is to continue there.
