Miners’ Promise Wrap-Up for 2016

December 2016

Meeting for the final time in 2016, our Board of Directors reflected on a year that has seen continued readjustments within the Resources Sector, with many families finding themselves in significantly changed circumstances.

However, while acknowledging the current challenges, our Board’s thoughts remained with the families, friends and workmates of the 31 mining, oil & gas, and construction workers, who lost their lives in 2016 in Australian work places. This is a sobering reminder of the hazards that still face our workers today, despite the continuing advances in technology and attitudes towards safety in the workplace.

It has been our privilege to have provided a range of support to 25 families during 2016.

We sincerely hope through our intervention we have helped support and empower them in their recovery, while at the same time respecting their dignity and privacy through times of acute stress and uncertainty.

So, to all the families we have been able to assist through Miners’ Promise, our thoughts are with you as we all approach the festive season.

For Miners’ Promise, there were a number of changes during 2016. We established our bi-annual ‘Standing Together’ Support Group – which provides an opportunity for resource families who have lost a loved one to connect, support, share and learn from one another’s experiences.

We welcomed three new Board Directors to Miners’ Promise: Deane Criddle; Kristy Porter and Elizabeth Vuletich.

Deane currently holds a leading position within KJV Gorgon’s Accounting and Finance team, and his financial expertise will be a great asset to us in continuing to strengthen our strategic direction.

Kristy has a diverse professional background and was a WA Finalist in the 2007 Telstra Business Women’s Awards. She is currently a pursuit leader for PwC Australia, and her partner is a FIFO worker in the resources industry.

Elizabeth Vuletich is a clinical neuropsychologist and director at Mindlink Psychology. She joins Miners’ Promise with an extensive insight into the psychological impacts of crisis events, further expanding the Board’s appreciation and skill-set in the area.

Additionally, we welcomed our new Membership Coordinator, Helen Antonas. Helen has worked within the resources sector for more than 10 years and is highly familiar with the FIFO lifestyle. She was also Executive Assistant to our inaugural Chairperson, Ian Fletcher in the early years of Miners’ Promise. As a result, Helen brings a comprehensive understanding and appreciation of the objectives and purpose of Miners’ Promise, as well as a wealth of industry knowledge.

So as another year comes to an end, we would like to extend our sincerest thanks to all our members and their families, to our service providers, participating employers, supporters and donors. Without your continued efforts it would not be possible to provide the level of ongoing support to our members and their immediate families when they need it the most.

Finally, on behalf of the Miners’ Promise Board of Directors and Staff, we wish you all health and happiness as we enter into a new year.