New Acland Coal’s Community Investment Fund supports community initiatives in the local area surrounding the mine, including the Gowrie Little Plain Community Centre.

Officially opened in 1932, the hall would have likely crumbled years ago had it not been for a passionate committee led by Barry and Shirley Heinemann and the support from various local groups, including New Acland Coal.

“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.

New Acland Coal General Manager, Dave O’Dwyer said the mine is proud to support the local community via a wide 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,” Mr O’Dwyer said.

“This support allows us to build stronger and more sustainable communities.

“More than 90 per cent of the current workforce live within 50 kilometres of New Acland Mine. It’s an honour to support so may local businesses, sporting teams and schools within the district.”

Local workers, contractors and local businesses will benefit to the tune of $1 billion over the life of the New Acland Coal Stage 3 project.