CFMEU miners mark two years since Grosvenor explosion

In moving scenes at the CFMEU’s Grosvenor Lodge, miners gathered to remember the five men caught up in the 2020 Grosvenor explosion and give thanks to the frontline nurses who rescued them from death. Watch the video

Moranbah nurses Bronwyn Dagan, Josh Sondergeld and Robyn Whitehead stood quietly as a room full of miners stood and clapped in gratitude for their service on May 6, 2020.

On that day, all three were swept up in the devastating Grosvenor mine blast that left five workers on the edge of death and rocked Queensland mining.

“It all happened pretty quickly,” Mrs Dagan said.

“They all came in and we didn’t have a lot of time to prepare.

“It wasn’t so much, ‘can you come in’, it was ‘we need you’.

(From left to right) Moranbah nurses Bronwyn Dagan, Josh Sondergeld and Robyn Whitehead attend the meeting at Civeo Camp to mark the two-year anniversary of the Grosvenor Mine blast. Picture: Duncan Evans

“As nurses, we sort of know when you get that call, it’s do whatever you can do to get there.”

For seven hours, the three nurses worked within a broader team to overcome the chaos of the day.

“It was just really overwhelming at first,” Mr Sondergeld said.

“But then it was good to see we were able to come together quite well as a team to achieve what we did.”

Mrs Dagan offered some indication of the team’s resourcefulness and dedication.

Moranbah nurses Bronwyn Dagan, Josh Sondergeld, Robyn Whitehead hear from Grosvenor Lodge president Steven Hall and Grosvenor Lodge secretary Scott Jensen at a meeting at Civeo Camp to mark the two-year anniversary of the Grosvenor Mine blast. The union resolved on the night to donate $3000 to Moranbah Hospital. Picture: Duncan Evans

“We have one ventilator in Moranbah Hospital and four of the gentleman ended up being ventilated,” she said.

“Do the maths.

“One was on a ventilator, the other three had to be hand ventilated for three or four hours.”

The gathering at Moranbah’s Civeo Camp was organised by the newly formed Grosvenor Lodge to mark the two-year anniversary of the tragedy.

Isaac Mayor Anne Baker, Councillor Kelly Vea Vea, Resources Minister Scott Stewart, lodge president Steven Hall and Mining and Energy Union Queensland district president Stephen Smyth attended the service along with some 60 miners, many of whom sported the lodge’s signature shirt.

In another expression of gratitude, the lodge passed a resolution to donate $3000 to the Moranbah emergency department.

Grosvenor Lodge members Ken Tamplin (left) and Jimmy Green attend the meeting at Civeo Camp to mark the two-year anniversary of the Grosvenor Mine explosion. Picture: Duncan Evans

Miners Jimmy Green and Ken Tamplin did not know about the resolution but happily voted for it.

“You can’t put a price on what they (the health workers) did,” Mr Tamplin said.

Mr Sondergeld said the intensity of May 6 was with him still.

“It’s always in the back of your mind,” he said.

The nurses said they were overwhelmed by the union’s acts of appreciation.

“It’s great to see that there is support for the Moranbah Hospital,” Mr Sondergeld said.

Alongside the moments of thanks, the gathering served as a call to remember what happened.

Resources Minister Scott Stewart talks to the miners at Civeo Camp in Moranbah on the two-year anniversary of the Grosvenor Mine explosion. Mr Stewart said it was important to call out unsafe behaviours. Grosvenor Lodge president Steven Hall stands behind him. Picture: Duncan Evans

“We need to remember so we can learn,” Mr Hall said.

“If we don’t learn we can’t change.”

Mr Stewart said if the incident was forgotten, it would be “swept under the carpet.”

Ms Baker said the Isaac community dealt with the aftermath of mining disasters after the investigations had closed and attention had moved elsewhere.

Mr Smyth said he was committed to stopping the “carnage” in the mining sector.

Grosvenor Lodge member Phill Rentell. Mr Rentell was working underground on the day the explosion happened. Picture: Duncan Evans

He suggested old line tactics might be necessary to force change.

“Pull our labour and go home, so be it,” he said.

After the speeches, the miners held a minute’s silence.

Phill Rentell, an outbye operator, was working underground when the blast happened.

He said the growth of the lodge in the aftermath of the incident was “really powerful.”

“It’s a fantastic sign of solidarity for the guys who were injured,” he said.

Originally published as CFMEU miners mark two years since Grosvenor explosion