Kestrel Mine's Christmas tree appeal

Kestrel Mine's Simon Cupper (L) and Tony Lennox (R) donate toys raised from Kestrel Mine's Community Christmas Tree to Emerald Neighbourhood Centre's Lorna Hicks.

Kestrel Mine employees are hoping to spread some Christmas cheer this festive season to disadvantaged people in the region.

The coal mine has set up a 'community giving tree' in its office foyer and has been encouraging workers to place children's gifts under the tree, to gather up a collection for the Emerald Neighbourhood Centre's Linking Arms for Christmas Appeal.

"Kestrel Mine has been a long term supporter of the Emerald Neighbourhood Centre, with many donations over the years, but this is the first time that we have put up a tree and encouraged workers to show their generosity in this way," said Kestrel Mine General Manager Operations, Tony Lennox.

"All of the gifts donated to the Emerald Neighbourhood Centre will be put into hampers, along with other community-donated grocery and non-perishable food items, and supplied to disadvantaged families from Emerald and surrounding towns.

"We have a highly community-minded and generous workforce at Kestrel Mine, so I am pleased with the strong support that our people have shown to our 'community giving tree'."

On the weekend (Saturday 12 Dec) Kestrel Mine handed over 155 gifts to Lorna Hicks, Emerald Neighbourhood Centre coordinator, at the Kestrel Mine Christmas staff party.

"It is not just financial impacts that can lead to a family being in need of a hamper like this, it could also be that a parent or child has had a serious health issue which may have required treatment in Brisbane and the family has not been able to even think about Christmas," Ms Hicks said.

"These hampers help bring a smile to these recipients, who are identified by service providers such as Anglicare, Centacare, Lifeline, Churches Together and Allied Health Services.

"The whole community has been getting behind this hamper collection since 1998, so it is very much an 'all-of-community' project in every aspect."

Ms Hicks said the Kestrel Mine donation was warmly welcomed, with demand likely for up to 300 Christmas hampers in the region this year.

Media release - Kestrel Mine's Christmas tree appeal [PDF: 20 KB]