Field Mining Services Group sets up $6m home in Paget

The new facility enables the company to service larger jobs, with the new workshop boasting a 126-tonne crane capacity. Read why Johnathan Thurston is on board.

Field Mining Services Group has solidified its presence in Mackay and the Bowen Basin with a new $6 million facility.

The maintenance contractor — with operations across Western Australia, Central Queensland and Papua New Guinea — will service larger jobs with the new workshop, which boasts a 126-tonne crane capacity.

FMS Group Director Jason Smith said it was the right time for the company to establish a new premises.

“We’ve been renting for about 15 years so we finally have our own home,” he said.

The company has an employee base of about 500 workers, with 400 of them based in Central Queensland.

Rugby league star Johnathan Thurston attended the grand opening of the facility and praised the partnership between the Johnathan Thurston Academy and FMS Group.

The firm will offer Mackay students a 10-week employment program in conjunction with the academy to get students “interview ready.”

“CQ Field Mining services are passionate about young people, much like us at the academy,” Mr Thurston said.

He said the program was designed to inspire the next generation.

“It’s not just about clocking in and out with work, they can certainly get excited about who they are working for and the opportunities that can arise.”

Mr Thurston argued employment prospects were central to keeping young people within regional areas.

“It comes back to the opportunities that are provided by local businesses,” he said.

“When someone grows up in a certain community, they want to feel valued.

“They certainly want to feel like this is home and there are opportunities for them to grow within whatever sector they are in.”

Mr Thurston also spoke fondly of Mackay and said the thing he loved most about the city was its people.

“I’ve obviously played a fair bit of footy here in my time with the Cowboys but every time I’ve been here, they’ve welcomed me with opened arms,” he said.

“It’s definitely the people.

“Very respectful, they are very proud of their region.”