New Acland Mine’s $20,000 will allow the school to expand its award-winning agriculture-science program.
Quinalow Prep-10 State School principal, Trish Luckock said she and agricultural-science teacher, Brooke Cuddihy both burst into tears when they learned of the donation.
“We were both shocked and overwhelmed,” Mrs Luckock said.
“$20,000 is a big deal to us, because we’re such a small school.
“We’re one of a handful of schools in Australia which offers agricultural-science as a subject from Prep through to Year 10.
“Our agricultural-science program was launched in 2021 following support from the local community, who expressed a strong need for students to have access to agricultural studies.
“Unfortunately, we’re not recognised as a ‘true’ agriculture school by the Queensland Department of Education, and therefore receive no additional funding for the program, so New Acland Mine’s donation is a huge help.”
The $20,000 will be used to purchase additional infrastructure and equipment for Quinalow Prep-10 State School’s agricultural-science program, including an adjustable cattle ramp and horticulture and aquaponics materials and instruments, benefitting the school’s 68 students.
New Acland Mine General Manager, Dave O’Dwyer said New Hope Group has a long and proud history of supporting the local community via a wide range of projects and partnerships.
“Sponsoring and supporting local organisations and school initiatives allows us to build stronger and more sustainable communities,” Mr O’Dwyer said.
“More than 90 per cent of the current workforce live within 50 kilometres of New Acland Mine, including at Quinalow. It’s a privilege to support local school students so they can thrive.
“We have recently re-launched the New Acland Coal Community Investment Fund, which aims to support a wide-range of community projects and initiatives in the local area.
“If you’re a local community group, sporting team, charity or school in need of support, like Quinalow Prep-10 State School, please reach out to the team at the New Acland Coal Community Information Centre for an application form.
“Over the past 20 years, New Acland Mine has donated more than $7 million to local community groups and provided in-kind support to countless community activities and events.”
The recent sizeable sponsorship donations complement New Hope Group’s $360,000 investment in PCYC Toowoomba in 2022, so its Oakey Connect Project could continue to serve the local community and a $150,000 donation to the Clontarf Foundation in November 2023, which will help improve the education, discipline, self-esteem, life skills and employment prospects of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men.
At the peak of construction, there will be approximately 600 local workers at New Acland Mine. Throughout the life of the project, the permanent workforce will be approximately 400 full-time roles, made up of DarlingDowns locals.
Local workers, contractors and businesses will benefit to the tune of $1 billion over the life of the New Acland Mine Stage 3 project.
The Queensland Government approved New Acland Mine Stage 3 extracted first coal in September 2023, with the first trainload of Stage 3 coal leaving the Jondaryan Rail Loadout Facility in October 2023.