Mine gets Mount Perry trainees new set of wheels

Evolution Mining's Mt Rawdon operation helped Gidarjil trainees get a new bus.

Evolution Mining donated $15,000 for a bus to transport a group of trainees working in Mount Perry.

A GROUP of indigenous trainees working in Mount Perry received $15,000 from Evolution Mining's Mt Rawdon gold mine to assist with the purchase of a new bus.

Evolution Mining recognised the need to provide reliable transport for the group and the bus will upgrade the trainees' transport to Mount Perry and between work sites.

General manager of Mt Rawdon Mine Jamie Coad said Evolution Mining's Mount Rawdon Operation was honoured to support the Gidarjil Trainees by assisting with the purchase.

"The trainees should be very proud of the quality of the work they have undertaken and their contribution to the Mount Perry township,” he said.

"We trust that this initial involvement will be the start of a long and positive relationship with Gidarjil, which we can jointly continue to build on.”

The group of 10 trainees have been working in Mount Perry, assisting with projects to beautify the township.

The trainees have been employed on Gidarjil Development Corporation's payroll since August, funded by the Skilling Queenslanders for Work program.

They are working under the direction of the Mount Perry Community Development Board along side the North Burnett Regional Council. The work projects include landscaping the new Men's Shed, creek bed restoration, weed control and tree planting.

"Mount Perry's employment history is rich with hard working Aboriginal people working on country,” Gidarjil Development Corporation CEO Dr Kerry Blackman said.

"Their cultural history extends back many tens of thousands of years. It is therefore pleasing to see the new generation of Aboriginal people making a positive difference to the town, making it an even more attractive place for all residents and visitors to the region.

"Access to transport is often a challenge for employees starting out on a new career and we are truly grateful for the contribution made by Evolution Mining, which makes this project possible.”

The trainees will complete a six-month, certificate I conservation and land management traineeship in February 2019 and use their new-found skills to gain employment in the region.